- Shaquille O’Neal was asked how he would describe the culture of his former team
- O’Neal’s incorrect answer came after he made fun of himself for his playing style
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal left fans in stitches when he made a glaring mistake during his commentary period on Tuesday night.
The 51-year-old left his usual spot as part of the NBA on TNT’s studio panel for the In-Season Tournament game between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The result were two memorable moments as O’Neal reflected on his playing career.
Joining fellow commentators Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, O’Neal made a bold claim minutes into the match.
‘I was the first big boy who brought the ball across the field with style and charisma. Not Wemby, not Bol Bol, but me,” he said, mocking Spurs’ 6ft 4in rookie Victor Wembanyama and Bol.
Sahquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller both commented on Miami’s game on Tuesday night
O’Neal played for the Heat from 2004 to 2008 and won an NBA championship with Miami in 2006
O’Neal followed that up by answering a question from Miller asking him to describe the Heat’s culture. He said, “I’m going to define it in three words: discipline, motivation and never giving up.”
That’s clearly a six-word sentence, and the internet had a good day.
“That was six words,” said a fan on X.
“I’ve been hanging around Chuck too long lmao,” said another fan, referring to his colleague Charles Barkley. Another fan posted a GIF of someone doing a complex math problem.
“His brain wasn’t working fast enough to think about resilience lol,” said someone else on X.
To which Reggie replied “no pun intended” because Miller didn’t recognize O’Neal’s blub in real time.
“He bundled it,” another fan joked. “It’s fine that I saw the commercial.”
NBA fans on X roasted O’Neal after his broadcast describing the Heat’s culture
O’Neal’s mistake caused NBA fans to reminisce about a similar line Barkley said on TNT over a decade ago.
“I have two words for you: Steve Nash and Chris Paul, must-see TV,” Barkley said in an eight-word sentence.
Barkley tried to correct himself and said “Nash and Paul,” which is still one word above his self-imposed limit.
O’Neal has not yet commented on his mistake, but knowing the atmosphere of NBA on TNT, the clip will be used as a rib to the 15-time All-Star in the coming days.