Shaq Uncut

Shaq Uncut gives readers an insight into his life since he was a child, up until his retirement from the NBA. Shaq Uncut was written by Shaquille with the assistive help of ESPN analyst Jackie Macmullan. The autobiography takes the readers back to Shaquille’s infant years and explores Shaq’s rough upbringing. The book describes the impact of Shaq’s biological father not being present, and how it affected him later on in his life. The book goes on to tell the story of Shaq’s stepfather in the crucial impact he had on Shaq’s upbringing, and it also gives an insight into how Shaquille received his discipline. The autobiography goes on to analyze Shaq’s High School dominance and his eventual college decision and the controversy that surrounded it. The book goes on to explore Shaq’s 3-year tenure at Louisiana State University and the struggles he faced while he attended the school. Shaq’s decision to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, Is well documented by the book. The book goes on to explore the draft and his eventual arrival to Orlando. Shaq Would go to win the rookie of the year(An award given to the most outstanding 1st Year player annually.)He would also go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the NBA. Shaq’s next few years in Orlando were a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The book goes on to explain Shaquille's departure from Orlando and the dramatic process that preceded it. The book explores Shaq's 8 Year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his dynamic relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. At the time Shaq arrived at the Lakers Kobe was just a 17-year-old rookie who was unproven. The book goes on to explain how He and Shaq would develop together and create the greatest dynamic duo in the league’s history. The duo of Shaq and Kobe would go on to win 3 consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. Even after the duo split in 2004, Shaquille had good words to say about his former Teammate. “Everything Kobe is doing now, he told me back then he was going to do.… ‘I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA’’ (Oneal,248). Shaq would go on to retire in 2011, after creating a lasting legacy through not only his dominant play but also through his larger than life persona, and this book does an excellent job of illustrating that. 

I enjoyed this autobiography because it gives me a background look into Shaq's life and his thought process during those important moments in his life. The book also gives newfound information, that previous to this book was unknown. The target audience for this book would be basketball fans or fans of sports in general. I Believe any fan of basketball fans of Shaq would thoroughly enjoy this autobiography, because it gives us readers an inside look in Shaquille's mind throughout his personal life, and playing career.  This is the book that any Shaq fan has been longing for. If you are a true basketball fan, this is the book for you. This book gives background to key moments in NBA History, such as the Lakers 3 peat and Shaq's arrival to the league. 

In conclusion, Shaq uncut is the perfect uncensored, unfiltered and uncondensed autobiography for any basketball fan. This book gives readers an in-depth look at Shaq's personal life as well as his iconic playing career.

Book Review by Quamere J.