Shaquille O’Neal is still one of the most popular personalities on the planet. Despite retiring from the game of basketball in 2011, he is a pop culture favorite. Learn about O’Neal’s second signature shoe, the Reebok ‘Shaq Attaq II,’ by reading on.
II
The first Shaq Attaq shoe is a classic. It is probably the most iconic shoe O’Neal has from his partnership with Reebok.
The II had a big job, it had to top the Shaq Attaq. The II did not even come close to the impact of the I. In some ways, it seems like Reebok was not even trying.
The original Shaq Attaq was a striking model. It caught your attention. It was big and bold and did not really look like any other shoe on the market.
The Shaq Attaq II was underwhelming, possibly by design.
The Shaq Attaq II was only available in two colors, both of which matched the colors of Shaq’s team, the Orlando Magic. The II was made in Black/Blue and White/Black/Blue. The heel was split, which allowed Shaq to have more ankle movement. There is a bold 32 on the heel and SHAQ logo branding.
Expected to Dominate
Shaquille O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992. He was the number one pick, and the expectations for him were gigantic.
When Shaq entered the league, he was 7’1 and had a physique like the Incredible Hulk. He was skilled and tenacious. From the start, O’Neal was expected to dominate the NBA, and he would deliver on all the hefty expectations.
Reebok signed Shaq to an endorsement deal after the Magic made them their star of the future. Reebok wanted to strengthen its presence in the basketball world. Shaq was the perfect baller for Reebok to make its mark with.
Shaq earned Rookie of the Year honors after his impressive first season in the league. The center averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks. Those numbers would be incredible for a seasoned veteran; they were even more so for a first-year player. O’Neal wore the Shaq Attaq during that unforgettable rookie season.
The Attaq
The Shaq Attaq was originally released in 1992. It was not only Shaq’s first signature shoe, but it was also the first time Reebok created a signature shoe for an athlete. The Attaq features a leather and suede upper. They have Pump technology on the tongue and Graphlite.
The Attaq debuted Shaq’s logo, The Dunkman. The logo’s two-handed jam silhouette is unmistakably O’Neal.
The Shaq Attaq originally only came in two colors, “Home” & “Away.” It's hard to imagine a signature sneaker today only receiving two colorways. The Shaq Attaq was backed by a huge marketing campaign, and O’Neal was seen everywhere in the sneaker.
- Adam C. Better
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