Tag: shaquille o’neal

Shaq declares that Caitlin Clark is the greatest women’s college hoops player ever

Is he right?

Caitlin Clark is amazing, and it’s only now that we can declare that she’s the top scorer in women’s college basketball history after her record-breaking night on Thursday with one of her patented threes from the logo.

But: is she the greatest of all time in the sport?

Shaquille O’Neal thinks so, as he said on Inside the NBA after Clark’s big night. Charles Barkley was right to question him with names like Cheryl Miller, Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi. When they eventually say she might be the greatest shooter ever, that sounds about right.

Here’s the exchange he and the crew had on the subject:

Report: LSU athletics to make $1 million for upcoming Amazon docuseries

University employees will not be directly compensated, but athletes will receive NIL benefits for appearing in the series.

Amazon Prime Video recently greenlit a docuseries featuring LSU athletics titled “The Money Game,” which will focus on the 2023-24 athletics season with a heavy emphasis on NIL benefits.

Now, we have some more details about the project, specifically as it pertains to compensation.

Campfire Film & TV will pay LSU’s athletics department $1 million for appearing in the series, according to a report from Sportico, though university employees like coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] will not be paid for participating.

The athletes who participate, however, will be given with a “form of NIL compensation.”

The show will be co-produced by Axios Entertainment and Jersey Legends, a production company owned by LSU alumnus [autotag]Shaquille O’Neal[/autotag]. According to the report from Sportico, the athletics department will have significant editorial oversight and control of how the show is presented.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

The best moments from the Orlando Magic’s Shaquille O’Neal jersey retirement ceremony

The Orlando Magic finally retired Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey in an awesome ceremony.

The Orlando Magic honored one of the best players to ever wear the uniform, Shaquille O’Neal, by retiring his #32 jersey on Tuesday night.

It was a long wait for O’Neal, who last played in Orlando during the 1996 season before making the switch to the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, he still led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 1995 and played a major role in the team’s history after joining in 1992. It was high time for the Magic to enshrine Shaq permanently for his immense contributions to Orlando.

His ceremony featured some really neat moments that will absolutely take you back, and we’ve gathered them for you below.

You can watch a replay of the jersey retirement ceremony on YouTube.

Shaquille O’Neal said he never thought the Magic would actually retire his jersey

This is so cool for Shaq.

On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic retired Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey with the franchise after the NBA legend started his career in Florida.

While reflecting on this special moment during his typical duties working with TNT, O’Neal said he didn’t expect this to ever happen with Orlando and that it’s “definitely an honor” to be the first-ever Magic player to have their jersey retired with the team.

Orlando is the third major team to retire O’Neal’s jersey, joining his college program LSU and the Los Angeles Lakers. You can hear how appreciative the NBA veteran is to finally have it all come full circle with the Magic.

O’Neal had one of the best basketball careers of any of his peers, and it’s really awesome that he finally got the chance to see the Magic honor him formally as one of the franchise greats.

It’s a long time coming, but it’s also better late than never.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1373]

Shaq finally met Taylor Swift (and gifted her a bag) at the Super Bowl, thanks to Jason Kelce

Shaq said that Taylor Swift is ‘definitely’ a cultural icon.

Shaquille O’Neal had one mission for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas, to meet Taylor Swift, and he accomplished it.

O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, was one of many celebrities who watched live as Patrick Mahomes won his third championship in the NFL. But the highlight of the night for the big man was probably when he had his chance to interact with Swift, the pop star and global sensation who is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Before the game began, O’Neal told reporters he wanted to sit near Swift and planned to meet the singer for the first time so that he could “shake the hand” of greatness (via Page Six):

“If I see Taylor Swift and get to shake her hand, take a picture, I’ll be good … She’s a fabulous person. I’m happy for her. I’m proud of her. She’s done a lot. She’s definitely a cultural icon … I just want to shake the hand of greatness.”

During another interview, when asked if he was excited about the game, the Hall of Famer aid that he was “looking forward” to just shaking her hand.

According to USA TODAY reporter Josh Peter, however, Shaq was denied entry into Swift’s suite when he first attempted to visit:

“During the first half, O’Neal stopped by the suite and spoke to security standing outside. But he was denied entry.

A few minutes after the first half ended, Shaq circled back. And as he stood outside the area in front of the entrance to the suite, Jason Kelce emerged.

Jason, Travis Kelce’s brother who recently retired from the NFL, was clad in colorful Chiefs overalls. Shaq kissed the top of Kylie Kelce’s hand when he was introduced to Jason’s wife. Jason Kelce then embraced Shaq, and after a few moments of chatting, he was led inside the suite.”

Fortunately, however, Kelce’s brother Jason reportedly helped him out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3OqME1xrCe/

After the game, O’Neal posted a photo with a caption that indicated he had “finally met” Swift.

He also revealed that he gifted her with a custom Judith Lieber bag, which was shaped like a football and included a nod to Kelce’s number 87.

O’Neal told Us Weekly that he hopes that Swift and Kelce “last forever” and have beautiful children.

[lawrence-related id=2202422,2202510,2202499,2202433,2202423]

Shaquille O’Neal’s thoughts on Kobe Bryant getting a Lakers statue

Former Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal seems pleased that his fellow Purple and Gold legend Kobe Bryant is about to get his own statue.

On Thursday, late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant will receive yet another honor when a statue of his likeness will be unveiled just outside of Crypto.com Arena.

Crypto.com Arena, which was known as Staples Center until about two years ago, is perhaps most known for being Bryant’s office during his 20 NBA seasons. In fact, some in the area informally refer to the arena as “the house that Kobe built.”

Of course, Shaquille O’Neal also had a huge hand in giving the building a winning identity during its early years. Bryant and O’Neal teamed to lead the Lakers to three straight NBA championships in the early 2000s, and it was an era that will never be forgotten by the fans who lived through it.

On TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” O’Neal reflected on his time playing with Bryant while calling Bryant getting his statue a “no-brainer” and saying he was honored to be Bryant’s teammate.

O’Neal, along with several other legendary athletes, already has his own statue outside Crypto.com Arena. These statues will always serve as relics frozen in time that will teach young fans today and forever about the Lakers’ storied history.

The Grizzlies’ GG Jackson couldn’t believe he got to talk to Shaquille O’Neal after breakout game

Surprise!

Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward/center GG Jackson broke out in a big way with 23 points against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

His dominant breakthrough game helped Memphis get a 116-107 home victory, and it also helped him meet one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The Inside the NBA crew talked with Jackson after his huge night, which included the Grizzlies rookie geeking out once he realized he was talking to Shaquille O’Neal.

Jackson’s reaction is just so wonderful and genuine, as he realizes he’s being interviewed by one of the most recognizable people in the history of the sport.

The Grizzlies have had a nightmarish season with injuries and Ja Morant’s suspension (and subsequent injury), but Jackson’s breakthrough is a silver lining for the future of the franchise.

This interview also should put a smile on all Grizzlies fans faces in the midst of a tough stretch of basketball.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1373]

Shaquille O’Neal throws down a challenge for Sixers star Joel Embiid

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has thrown down a challenge to Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is the reigning league MVP and has been absolutely terrific to begin the 2023-24 season. His season averages have been better than his MVP season of 2022-23 as he continues to develop as a player.

However, Embiid has yet to get it done in the playoffs. The Sixers have not been past the second round during his time leading the team, and that has been the one big knock on his resume.

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal threw down a challenge to Embiid on “The Big Podcast with Shaq”. O’Neal recalled a story with another Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the reason for his challenge to Embiid:

I’m gonna give it to him like Kareem gave it to me. He should take it as disrespectful because that’s how I took it. I was averaging big numbers with LA, but we kept getting swept. Like OK ‘Shaq you’re doing it in the regular season. What about in the playoffs?’ They ask Kareem ‘What do you think about Shaq?’ and Kareem says ‘Well, he hasn’t won any championships yet.’ So that’s my message to Mr. Embiid. We know what you can do, but can you do it at the big dance? Can you get the phone number at the big dance and can you take it home and close the deal? And that’s why I say Joker (Nikola Jokic) is the best big man in the league. We all know Joel Embiid is the best big man when it comes to numbers and all that, but Joker went to the big dance and got that thing done.

To O’Neal’s point, yes. The Nuggets are the defending champions as Jokic got it done in Denver. However, he was essentially in the same boat Embiid is before his title run. Jokic was able to overcome the past playoff failures and get the Nuggets to the mountaintop. Embiid must do the same for the Sixers.

[lawrence-related id=88983,88939,88971]

TNT’s Inside The NBA debates Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla pulling his starters in Bucks blowout

Was it the right move for Boston, or was it a bit of a bush league play?

Was it the right call for Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla to sit his starters at halftime after the Milwaukee Bucks had put up a virtually insurmountable lead over the Celtics? The contest in question, a 135-102 route of Boston whose score belies the severity of the beatdown the Celtics suffered, was so bad that the carrier, TNT, flexed to the New York Knicks – Dallas Mavericks game on at the same time for a bit.

It also got TNT’s broadcast crew on their popular “Inside the NBA” show debating as to whether the call to sit the starters was the right one. The move by Mazzulla elicited some strong opinions on both sides, with the wisdom of keeping legs safe and fresh noted, but the loss to fans at the game and at home also acknowledged.

Was it the right move for Boston, or was it a bit of a bush league play? Watch the video embedded below to hear their takes and decide for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Inside The NBA hosts trolled Charles Barkley’s plan to give up Diet Coke by raiding his stash

How long can Charles Barkley stick to his New Year’s Resolution?

Charles Barkley had a simple answer when he was asked about his New Year’s Resolution. He said that he planned to give up Diet Coke.

Barkley has a long history of drinking the beverage, including before NBA games during his professional playing career. The former MVP has said he would have two McDonald’s fish fillet sandwiches, a large order of fries and a Diet Coke as a pre-game meal.

Now when hosting Inside The NBA on TNT, Barkley will occasionally drink Diet Coke out of a mug while on the air. So to help him reach his resolution, Barkley received a hand from his co-workers.

The hosts of Inside the NBA had enough of Barkley, who complained that water (his Diet Coke substitute) doesn’t taste like anything.

Shaquille O’Neal made his way over to Barkley’s side of the desk and raided his Diet Coke supply. He found Barkley’s stash and began opening them up, drinking them and handing them to Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.

Barkley wanted to know if his co-hosts at least felt his pain as they sipped on the soda and he then told the viewers to his their enemies close to them.

We will see how long Barkley can stick to this resolution of no Diet Coke!

[lawrence-related id=2185769,2177690,2176331,2172788]