Shaquille O'Neal on 'Inside the NBA' with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson: 'Hopefully this is not the last year'

Shaquille O’Neal on: In a perfect world I would love for us to stay together forever but you know it's in the hands of the powers right now so but this last year is going to be a phenomenal year. Chuck is gonna go crazy, I'm gonna go crazy. It's gonna be fun and hopefully this is not the last year.

Source: YouTube

More on this storyline

Davis also shared his Mount Rushmore of athletes turned businessmen. “I would say Magic [Johnson], ” said Baron Davis to Scoop B Radio. “Michael Jordan because he is the business AND the brand. Steve Young does a helluva job. I would also say Jose Bautista is another one and then Shaquille O’Neal. That would probably round it out.”  Speaking of Magic Johnson, Davis, a product of South Central Los Angeles, says that his relationship with Johnson began as a child when he’d watch him play pickup games. -via ScoopB.com / September 19, 2024

Shaquille O’Neal on Rudy Gobert: A lot of these big men, when I put out these challenges, they fail the test because they respond… Udonis Haslem: They sensitive now. Shaquille O’Neal: They sensitive. First of all, if you getting 250 (million) now what is your renewal check going say? You can answer it Mike (Miller). The way money is now and they just signed this $6 billion deal, if you making 250 and you playing up to par, what your next check going to be? Udonis Haslem: 300? Shaquille O’Neal: I’m trying to help, no, 500. Like I'm trying to help, I'm trying to help you get it. When I speak I try to speak from facts. It may come out wrong, and you may think I'm hating and his comments, you trying to stay relevant. I got 15 commercials, what the f*ck are you talking about? I want you to protect this thing of ours, because if you play well and get 500 million, there's a kid right now in high school that could be making 700 million. But if you keep playing how you playing and you’re f*cking the money up, you have these owners saying ‘this guy, 250, he's not worth it’, you’re f*cking the money up, then this thing of ours is ruined. -via YouTube / September 19, 2024

O’Neal went on to reveal how he intentionally employed motivational tactics that referenced both Michael Jordan and LeBron James to fuel Bryant’s competitive fire. “I used to say things to make him mad on purpose because I knew that’s when he’d play his best,” O’Neal shared. “I’d tell him things like, ‘You’re not Michael Jordan,’ or ‘They got this kid LeBron in Cleveland who’s better than you.’” Despite the intensity of their relationship on the court, O’Neal emphasized that the dynamic was never about personal conflict but rather a strategy to bring out the best in Bryant. “It wasn’t about hating him; I was motivating him,” he explained. Their bond was apparent, particularly during their first championship win. “When we won that first championship, people thought we hated each other. But look at the footage—who’s the first person I’m jumping into the arms of? Kobe.” -via Clutch Points / September 18, 2024

The sports media world is gearing up for a gold rush on TV and digital talent. The NBA’s signing of media-rights deals worth $77 billion over 11 years sets the stage for the biggest hoops hiring spree in decades. Careers will rise and fall as multimillion-dollar contracts get dished out. Chess players are making their opening moves. NBA rights partners Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video are already eyeing potential talent hires among analysts, play-by-play announcers, reporters, and producers, Front Office Sports has learned. Candidates are working their contacts—and putting their agents on speed dial. TNT Sports is preparing for what could be its final season of NBA coverage after a 40-year relationship. The company has Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson signed to long-term contracts. But would the network (which is currently suing the NBA to keep its rights) stand in its way if one or more of that foursome wants to explore the greener pastures of free agency? Especially given parent Warner Bros. Discovery is saddled with $40 billion in debt? -via Front Office Sports / September 18, 2024

Mike Vorkunov: Burke Magnus, ESPN's president of content, asked at Front Office Sports conference if he could see a world with Charles Barkley at ESPN Magnus: "Yeah. That would be a perfect world... I would be lying if I said we weren't interested in Charles. The entire industry is interested." -via Twitter @MikeVorkunov / September 10, 2024

Charles Barkley: "When I was younger, I played football one day, and I realized quickly, 'Who would want to do this?' I was on the defensive line, and I remember being in the locker room after the game, bleeding, my head was hurting, I was dirty, and the coach said, 'See you tomorrow.' I said, 'You think I’m doing this tomorrow? You’re the stupidest guy ever!' That’s when I realized football players have to be a little crazy to do what they do. It’s a tough sport." -via YouTube / September 10, 2024

While it's clear Smith is in favor of the Lakers selecting Bronny, he makes another bold prediction — he believes that LeBron James will end his career in Los Angeles. The 39-year-old James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a player option and no-trade clause. "I think he ends his career as a Laker — that's just my personal opinion," says Smith with no hesitation. "I haven't spoken to him, or anyone with that influence." -via Responsible Gaming / September 1, 2024

Your championships were sandwiched between two Michael Jordan three-peats. Do you think those Rockets teams have gotten their proper due for what they accomplished? Kenny Smith: You can’t erase history. I don’t know if you get proper due, but you can’t erase history. Everyone always says, “Well, Michael was out.” No, he wasn’t — he was wearing No. 45 (in 1995). And everyone is saying, “Oh, he was rusty.” No one was saying he was rusty when he had 55 points at Madison Square Garden that same year. He had 55 points against the Knicks, who were arguably the best defensive team in basketball at that time. No, he was Michael Jordan. (The Bulls) just weren’t as good a basketball team. The team they lost to, the Orlando Magic, we swept. I never look at it as getting respect. You can’t erase history. And we’re here to stay. He did play that year, so there was only one year he wasn’t there. He did play (during the second title run). He was there, and we just didn’t get an opportunity to meet them. -via Houston Chronicle / August 14, 2024

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Shaquille O'Neal on 'Inside the NBA' with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson: 'Hopefully this is not the last year'