186: The Marvelous Fate Finally Converges (Request for Monthly Votes!)

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Perhaps, this is a testament to Roger's status in the league now.

By the summer of 1997, after the salary cap had gone through two more raises, there still wasn't a player who could sign a contract worth more than Roger's.

Shaq finally got his longed-for $120 million, but the contract term was seven years.

Roger's $120 million, only five years.

In terms of average annual salary, O'Neal still couldn't surpass Roger.

However, Shaq was very satisfied with the contract because he received respect.

Jerry West did everything he could to free up salary space for Shaq, and he told him, "The $120 million is not your value, it's just the most we can offer you within the rules. Dr. Jerry Buss swears that if he could, he really would give you more."

These words greatly satisfied Shaq's ego.

Over the years in Orlando, he had had enough of remarks like "Shaq is simply not worth that much."