Shaquille O’Neal built a Hall of Fame career with sheer size and dominance in the paint. Former Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni believes Shaq’s unstoppable presence for forcing teams to change how they played, ultimately sparking the league’s three-point revolution.
When D’Antoni took over the Suns in 2003, Shaq was in peak form, averaging nearly 30 points and 15 rebounds per game while leading a three-peat in Los Angeles. Traditional lineups couldn’t stop him, so Phoenix went the opposite direction. They ran, spread the floor, and launched threes at an unprecedented rate.
On the On Point podcast, D’Antoni explained how the Suns’ iconic seven seconds or less offense was built to combat interior giants like O’Neal and Tim Duncan. “We always said among ourselves, you can’t outdo Shaq, Shaq. You can’t just trot somebody out there and think you’ll get the best of Shaq. So we had to figure out how to beat him,” D’Antoni remarked. He credits this approach for laying the groundwork for the modern emphasis on three-point shooting in the NBA.
Mike D’Antoni says Shaq is the cause of the three-point shot, per @MeghnaWBUR
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 2, 2025
“We always said among ourselves, you can't out Shaq, Shaq. You can't just trot somebody out there and think you're gonna get the best of Shaq. So we had to figure out a way to beat him. And that was… pic.twitter.com/TvkyB7KDAX
Though the Suns never won a title during that era, their strategy reshaped the league. D’Antoni’s acknowledgment of O’Neal’s indirect contribution to the three-point revolution indicates how challenges can lead to transformative changes in sports strategies.
Mike D’Antoni’s Lakers Journey, Lasting NBA Impact
D’Antoni’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was short and filled with challenges, but his influence on the game far exceeds wins and losses. Taking over in the 2012-13 season, D’Antoni inherited a star-studded yet injury-packed roster. Despite internal friction and a devastating Achilles injury to Kobe Bryant, he still managed to lead the team to a playoff run.
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While his time with the Lakers didn’t hold titles, D’Antoni’s fast-paced, three-point-heavy offense helped restructure the modern NBA. His philosophy influenced a generation of teams and coaches, proving that innovation can leave a legacy as impactful as championships.
