Since leaving the Magic, Shaq had been disgraced every time he encountered Roger.
But this was undoubtedly the most disgraceful of all.
In terms of basketball, he had been beaten by Roger again, and he couldn't even win against the crippled Hawks.
Off the court, despite his tremendous size advantage, he was actually knocked down by Roger on the spot.
Whether you are a superstar like Jordan or a behemoth like Shaq, in front of Roger's fists, all creatures are equal.
Shaq was beaten badly, and his face, to use Bob Costas's words, "looked like a chocolate cake that had been demolished by little kids!"
However, nobody sympathized with Shaq like they did with Tomjanovich.
Because it was entirely his own fault.
He was not innocent at all; he deserved it.
No matter how Kurt Rambis tried to whitewash it, he couldn't cover up the filth of that clothesline foul.