Shaq Thinks Biggie Smalls May Not Have Been Shot If He Was There

The Notorious B.I.G. was shot and killed during VIBE magazine's Soul Train Music Awards after-party in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.

To commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the death, The Undefeated had Shaquille O’Neal, Baron Davis, and Nick Van Exel reflect on the night.

Shaq had the most interesting story. 1997 was his first year with the Lakers, and he was supposed to have gone to the party. But he overslept and missed it, only to be awaken with the news of Biggie getting shot.

The big man can't help but think things could have been different if he had attended.

“I don’t say I could’ve prevented it,” said Shaq. “I was just saying … if I was out there by the car, would they still have fired? That’s the only thing I would say to myself.” Shaq’s been pondering this, has been haunted by that night for 20 years. “I don’t wanna make it seem like I could’ve saved him,” he said again. “I don’t wanna make it seem like if I was there, the shooters wouldn’t have shot. If I was there by the truck, after we all left and I’m dapping him up, would they still have shot?”