Shaquille O'Neal discusses retirement, NBA, future

In your opinion, who was the better coach for you — Phil Jackson or Pat Riley?

Phil was a man’s man. He was always the same. He did the same thing every day. Worked on that triangle every day. And he made us believe every day. He always told me what he wanted from me before a game — 29 points and 15 rebounds, and I’ll do it. He told me once that he wanted me to get MVP this year and that they’re coming to me every time. It also was a test. He was testing me out. The interesting thing about Phil is when me and Kobe had those squabbles, he never said anything. He knew it motivated both of us. When you look at what we did, it will never be done again. But Kobe and I never really had any problems in practice. He would say something to one of the reporters, and I would say something to one of the reporters. But Phil never got involved with that. I think it was part of his plan.

Did you respect the majority of your coaches outside of Jackson and Riley?

All the coaches that I had that didn’t have the winning experience, I didn’t trust them. When Phil Jackson came, you’re talking about resumes; whatever he says, I believe it. Because I’m watching him every summer, I’m watching this man just come off six rings. He was doing a lot of weird stuff, but I asked him did Michael Jordan and them do this, and Mike said they did. It worked.

Who was the better teammate — Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade?

They were all different. Coming in, I had to bring Kobe along. Coming in with D-Wade, I didn’t want to lose a friend like I lost Kobe, so I was real delicate with him. LeBron already had everything, so I never had to say anything to him.