What if Shaquille O’Neal had never left the Orlando Magic? It’s one of the NBA’s most tantalizing “what ifs,” a question that even Shaq himself can’t stop pondering. But according to his former teammate Robert Horry, the outcome wouldn’t have changed much—in fact, Shaq might have continued to taste defeat.
On a recent episode of the “Big Shot Bob Podcast,” co-host Brandon Harper brought up Shaq’s frequent reflections on his time in Orlando and the possibility of what could have been. Horry didn’t hold back. “He’d just still get his a** kicked,” he quipped, taking a playful jab at Shaq’s Magic losing to Horry’s Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals.
Horry, a seven-time NBA champion known for his clutch performances, added with a grin, “Because he needed me.” It’s a nod to their later success together on the Los Angeles Lakers, where alongside Kobe Bryant, they secured three consecutive championships. Horry’s comments suggest that without him, Shaq might never have reached the pinnacle of NBA glory.
But let’s not forget the dominance Shaq displayed in Orlando alongside Penny Hardaway. The dynamic duo led the Magic to three straight playoff appearances, amassing a formidable 167-79 regular-season record over three years. In 1995, they even toppled Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls—a monumental feat, even if Jordan was fresh off his first retirement.
However, their inexperience showed in the Finals, where they were swept by the seasoned Rockets. The following year, they fell to the Bulls, who were on a mission to reclaim their throne. Had Shaq stayed patient and continued to build with Hardaway, could the Magic have become the next great dynasty once the Bulls’ reign ended?
Internal dynamics played a role in Shaq’s departure. With Hardaway’s star rising, questions about team leadership emerged. Feelings of professional jealousy and ego began to surface—a fact Shaq has candidly admitted. “When opinions started circulating that the Magic was now Penny’s team, I couldn’t resist seeing what other teams could offer me,” Shaq once confessed on his podcast.
In a heartfelt apology to Hardaway, Shaq said, “I probably said some stuff I shouldn’t have said. If I ever did rub you the wrong way… I apologize.” While the acknowledgment is commendable, the damage to the Magic was irreversible. The potential of what Shaq and Penny could have achieved together remains one of basketball’s great unanswered questions.
Robert Horry’s playful jabs add fuel to the debate. Was Shaq’s departure the right move, or did he abandon a team on the cusp of greatness? According to Horry, even if Shaq had stayed, the championships might have eluded him without the right supporting cast.
As fans, we’re left to speculate on the legacy that could have been. One thing is certain: Shaq’s journey, from Orlando to Los Angeles, shaped the NBA landscape in ways that still provoke discussion and debate today.
