When it comes to basketball legends, few names resonate as powerfully as Shaquille O’Neal, popularly known as Shaq. The larger-than-life center dominated the court during his illustrious career, leaving an indelible mark on the game. So, when Candace Parker recently unveiled her all-time starting five, fans eagerly anticipated Shaq’s inclusion. But alas, the towering figure found himself conspicuously absent from Parker’s GOAT list.
Candace Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Jamal Crawford, and Adam Lefkoe form the Tuesday TNT crew covering NBA games. While they may not rival the iconic quartet of Shaq, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny
.@SHAQ's reaction to being left off of @Candace_Parker's all-time list is pure comedy 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/C4LXvyvcN1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 6, 2024
Smith, they still manage to entertain. Before tip-off, an intriguing exchange unfolded between two of the co-hosts.
Parker, answering a mailbag question for NBA.com, revealed her dream starting five: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Garnett. But wait—where was Shaq? The man who once shattered backboards and redefined dominance was nowhere to be found.
Shaquille O’Neal Comical Retort to Parker’s Choice
Shaq, never one to shy away from humor, contested Parker’s choice. Why Garnett over him? After all, “KG” wasn’t even a center! Parker defended her decision, citing the trend of “positionless basketball.” Garnett, she argued, didn’t need to fit the traditional center mold. Plus, her team would be running—a lot.
And that’s when Shaquille O’Neal dropped the comedic bombshell: “Oh, so Shaq can’t run?” His incredulity echoed through the studio. The man who once sprinted up and down the court like a freight train couldn’t believe his ears. But Parker had a point—she referred to
“Orlando Shaq,” the agile player who danced across the hardwood with ease. Later versions of Shaq, burdened by weight issues, weren’t quite as nimble.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Playful Reaction
Shaq’s playful side emerged. When left out by Parker, he hilariously covered his eyes with a bond paper, as if shielding himself from the snub. It was classic Shaq—part pout, part theatrics. And while he may have been hurt, he didn’t let it dampen his spirit. After all, this is the same man who once named himself in his own all-time starting five, alongside legends like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and “f**king me.”
