March 9, 1997, marks a tragic moment in hip-hop history with the shocking murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G. in L.A. The news sent waves of sorrow through countless fans, including Shaquille O'Neal. In his 2011 memoir "Shaq Uncut: My Story," the NBA legend shared a personal reflection on the loss and pondered the "what-ifs." "Diesel" disclosed that shortly before the fatal incident, Smalls was present at a party—an event he had originally intended to attend as well. However, the 7'1" giant, then playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, ended up sleeping through the event. This made Shaq wonder if his presence that night could have changed the tragic outcome.

I" don't usually deal in what-ifs, but after Biggie died I spent a lot of time wondering how it would have been different if I had showed up at that party. If a seven-foot-one Shaquille O'Neal was standing by that car, would the guy still have pulled the trigger? Jerome (Shaq's bodyguard at the time) is trained to make sure he protects me and those around me. I just feel if we were there, maybe something different would have happened," wrote O'Neal.
Shaq's friendship with Smalls

O'Neal crossed paths with Christopher Wallace—Biggie's real name—through their shared presence in the music industry. In his memoir, the Hall of Famer recalled that after the success of his debut album, "Shaq Diesel," in 1993, many rappers were eager to collaborate—but typically only for a hefty fee. However, according to Shaq, there were two notable exceptions: Jay-Z and Smalls, both of whom agreed to work with him for free.

"They couldn't have been nicer," the 2000 MVP remembered, highlighting the latter as "the nicest dude in the world."

While the Notorious B.I.G., known for hits like "Juicy" and "Hypnotize," was said to be kind in person, he became a fierce performer once he grabbed the mic. "Diesel" highlighted this, recalling a moment when they recorded together.

"He went into my studio and came out fifteen minutes later with an amazing rap. The problem was, it was too vulgar. I told him, 'Hey Biggie, we've got to think about the kids,' so he went back in and came out another fifteen minutes later with something even better," the two-time scoring champion recounted.
A great example of O'Neal and Wallace showcasing their musical chemistry is the track "You Can't Stop The Reign," released in 1996 under the T.W.IsM. Records label. The night Biggie fell


Just a day before the tragic night, the NBA star and rap legend crossed paths for the last time—it must have been March 8, 1997, as Shaq recalled. By his account, they randomly met on Sunset Boulevard in L.A., had a quick chat, and before the Purple and Gold center left, they exchanged a fist bump.
Soon after, there was an after-party for an award show at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard. Shaq remembered he had "every intention of going" and even put on his outfit for the night—a sleek one. Wearing a white suit and matching hat, the New Jersey native was set to be the quintessential "player" for the night.

However, suddenly feeling "tired," the four-time NBA champ decided to sit down and "watch some television." As fate would have it, Shaquille ended up falling asleep while his pager was in the car. When people tried reaching out to him about the news-breaking incident regarding Smalls, he naturally didn't respond. It wasn't until hours later that "Diesel" learned about it after his mom "finally got hold" of him.

"Did you go to the party?" he remembered her asking. "I was half-asleep and didn't understand what she meant, then she said, 'Your friend's been shot. He's dead.'"

Sometime during Shaq's nap, Wallace was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting. Smalls, just 24 years old at the time, was shot four times in the chest and pronounced dead at 1:15 AM that night.
The murder, while never solved, was most likely linked to the intense East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop rivalry of the 1990s—a complex conflict driven by competition between record labels, media sensationalism, gang tensions, and rivalries among artists, which had escalated dramatically by the mid-decade.
Reflecting on the tragedy, "Diesel" couldn't help but consider the "what ifs." However, he eventually came to another realization, largely shaped by his awareness of how "violent" the rap world was at the time.

"Maybe they were going to get Biggie no matter what," the former 15-time All-Star mused. "If it wasn't that night, it probably would have been one or two or three nights later."

This sentiment rings true, especially considering how many Hip-Hop artists lost their lives during that time. Just after B.I.G., his fierce rival Tupac Shakur—likely due to a reconciliation—was killed on September 13, 1996, in Las Vegas. The "Changes" rapper, another legend in the scene, also became a victim of a drive-by shooting.
Other notable figures killed during that time include Randy "Stretch" Walker, a member of "Live Squad" and close friend of Tupac, as well as Big L, a highly talented rapper from Harlem. While the exact motives behind these murders remain unclear, they might have been indirectly tied to the ongoing conflicts.

As for O'Neal, he was left with a deep void in his heart after losing his close friend. Reflecting on Biggie's character, the three-time Finals MVP described him as "sweet," "polite," and "humble," ending with a heartfelt, "I miss him


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