As NBA players age, their performance usually drops. But in June 2004, Shaquille O’Neal made it clear that he wasn’t like most players — he believed his impact on the game wouldn’t fade with age.
True to his style, the Lakers legend didn’t just say this directly. Instead, the New Jersey native used a clever and funny comparison to show his confidence and sense of humor.
Lakers on the brink
At that time, the partnership between O’Neal and his franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers, which he had been with since 1996, was entering a period of uncertainty.
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Even though “The Big Aristotle” had been the driving force behind the team’s historic three-peat at the start of the 2000s, winning Finals MVP three times in a row, the 2003–04 season marked a clear turning point. While the “Purple and Gold” made it to the Finals again, losing to the Detroit Pistons that year, problems were starting to pile up.
For example, criticism of “The Big Diesel” was increasing. Reports highlighted several reasons: the 7’1″ center was said to be playing at a weight that wasn’t healthy for him, with some estimates close to 400 pounds.
Because of that weight, Shaq’s dominant strength and physical playing style — once his biggest advantages — were now seen as potential issues going forward.
Equally concerning was the ongoing feud between O’Neal and his partner-in-crime, Kobe Bryant. Neither seemed interested in reconciliation, which certainly didn’t help the strained team chemistry.
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On top of that, the LSU alumnus who had won the MVP award in 2000, was approaching his mid-thirties — an age when even the best players usually start to slow down.
The end of an era
While the issues already mentioned were tough enough to handle, things got even trickier when contract talks between O’Neal and the Lakers front office moved to the agenda.
Behind closed doors, it became increasingly clear that Los Angeles management — including owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak — had started questioning their aging superstar’s long-term value.
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Shaq’s age, physical wear, rising weight, high salary demands, and his feud with Kobe made the Lakers more careful. Simply put, after years of paying him top money without question, Buss and Kupchak now doubted if investing so much in a 32-year-old O’Neal was the right choice.
“Diesel,” of course, had a different perspective. The future Hall of Famer didn’t believe his best days were behind him and faced the doubts his own way — with confidence and his signature flair for words.
“They say I’m getting older. Of course, I am,” said Shaq, per ESPN. “But can’t nobody [mess] with me. I’m like toilet paper, Pampers and toothpaste. I’m definitely proven to be effective.”
For the two-time NBA scoring leader, his impact wasn’t just measurable; it was undeniable. In O’Neal’s eyes, he remained essential — as necessary as everyday items that people have relied on for centuries.
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Ultimately, the “Purple and Gold” didn’t want to accept that and refused to meet the big money “Diesel” demanded. Instead, he was traded to the Miami Heat not long after.