In the 1990s, there were so-called "four centers" in NBA. Although Jordan's bulls dominate, the 10 NBA is actually a rare "center of prosperity" in history. However, the "four centers" are not monolithic. For example, O 'Neill has always admired Olajuwon's "great dream", but he has a problem with david robinson, the "admiral". So why did O 'Neill "favor one over the other"?

Speaking of the reason why he and Robinson were at odds, O 'Neill once told a story. It was 1989, and he was still in high school. One day, after an NBA game, he blocked the door of the Spurs locker room and asked for Robinson's autograph. At that time, Robinson was selected as the No.1 pick by the Spurs as early as 1987, and then entered the NBA after being delayed for two years due to military service. During this period, he participated in the 1986 World Championships in Madrid and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games with the US team, winning the gold medal and bronze medal respectively, which is world-famous.

Robinson at that time certainly didn't know where this stupid big guy came from, but he still refused O 'Neill's request with a little disdain. This deeply hurt O 'Neill and made him determined to make Robinson look good after entering the NBA.

However, the truth of this story has always been doubtful, especially those who are familiar with Robinson know that he is a modest gentleman and is unlikely to do so. O' Neill later confirmed that he made up the story just to motivate himself.

However, the story is made up, but the disagreement between O 'Neill and Robinson is true. The real cause is 1993-94 season scoring champion. O 'Neill (29.3 1 point) beat Robinson (29.27 points) to top the scoring list before the regular season finale. However, in the last game, the Spurs, who were determined to achieve Robinson's goal, gave all the balls to Robinson and even increased the number of rounds through constant fouls. In the end, Robinson "lived up to expectations" and scored 7 1, with an average score of 29.8.

This means that O 'Neill must score at least 68 points if he wants to regain the scoring title, but the Magic coach said that although they also want O 'Neill to win the scoring title, it will not be as "absurd" as the Spurs. In the end, O 'Neill scored 32 points in the last game, and the scoring champion was taken away by Robinson by 0.5 points.

Of course, if it was just this, the two of them wouldn't be bad friends. The discord between them is actually the result of many things. It is said that in the 1994 All-Star Game, the inside star wanted to give the newcomer O 'Neill a scare, and Robinson was particularly active. As a result, O 'Neill 12 made only 2 shots in that game, but Robinson got 19 points. The story of Jordan and "Smiling Assassin" is repeated in O 'Neill and Robinson.

In the shrinking season of 1998-99, the contradiction between them reached its peak. This season, the Lakers and the Spurs met in the finals. O 'Neill (average 23.8 points 13 rebounds in the series) beat Robinson (13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds) in the individual matchup, but the Spurs still had the last laugh because of the existence of second-year insider Duncan (29 points 10.8 rebounds). Later, O 'Neill was unconvinced and said something: "david robinson is nothing. He won the championship by Duncan in the shrinking season. "

In fact, at the same time as O 'Neill, Rodman once "despised" Robinson when he played for the Spurs for two reasons. The first one is because Robinson was completely defeated by Olajuwon in the West 1995, and Olajuwon was dissatisfied with Robinson's stealing this season's MVP. After the game, I saw Robinson crying in the locker room, and Rodman, who believed in "the survival of the strong", was furious.

Another reason is said to be that Rodman refused to double-team Olajuwon with Robinson. Unlike today's "double-teaming is the biggest recognition for stars", the NBA in the 1990s believed in one-on-one superstars, requiring teammates to double-teaming as a symbol of serving.

This is why O 'Neill obeys the "big dream" but despises Robinson. Magic was swept away in the final of 1995. O 'Neill, who doesn't have the upper hand in one-on-one, admits that even against Olajuwon, who is nine years older than himself, he still has nothing to do and is convinced. But in the west of 1999, in order to fight against O 'Neal, the Spurs actually let the "Twin Towers" double O 'Neal. This unconventional practice is also regarded by O 'Neill as Robinson in "making a fool of yourself".

Of course, after looking for so many reasons, the deeper reason has to be found from the personality differences between the two. As we all know, Robinson has always been gentle and kind to people, while O 'Neill is a clown and thinks highly of himself. It is said that Robinson will talk about the Bible with his teammates in the locker room and even discuss the theory of relativity with Duncan, but O 'Neill has no interest in these profound academic problems. He talked more about chasing girls and entertaining his teammates.

As the saying goes, "No common cause, no common goal", perhaps this is the reason why O 'Neill and Robinson are in the same boat.