Two sports media heavyweights are doing business with a haymaker.
NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal and NFL great Shannon Sharpe both won multiple championships during their playing careers and are inducted into their respective Hall of Fames, but earlier this week O’Neal was named to Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The feud stems from a controversial interview he gave.
When Jokic won his third NBA MVP award in four years, O’Neal directly told him he thought the honor should have gone to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s emerging star this season.
“Joker as president of the Big Man Alliance – you’re the vice president of the Big Man Alliance – you know I love you. Congratulations to the best player in the league.” O’Neal said. He told Jokic on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”
“Let me start by saying that I think MVP should have been SGA. No offense to you, but congratulations.”
On the “Nightcap” podcast with Chad Johnson and Gilbert Arenas, Sharp psychoanalyzed why Shaq makes things so awkward.
Sharp said O’Neal has won MVP only once in his career, but with his level of dominance he should have won five.
“Shaq definitely didn’t grow up in this era.” [GOAT conversations]” Sharp said. “And I think part of him is jealous of that.”
Sharpe ultimately took a jab at Shaq’s dedication to the game and made it personal.
“If Shaq had the work ethic that I have, he would have scored 40,000 points,” Sharp said.
O’Neill responded to criticism on multiple platforms.
Post to XO’Neal shared a list written by the late legendary former Cowboys scout Gil Brandt, who named Sharpe the 11th best tight end in NFL history, disqualifying Sharpe from evaluating his basketball career. hinted at.
“You have to be in the top 10 in your profession before you can talk about anyone in that field.” [sic] A profession,” O’Neill wrote.
Sharp was a four-time All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos and Ravens.
O’Neal also posted a furious response to Sharpe on Instagram.
“You made me stick up @shy was jealous of the joker. It shows how smart you are and what kind of statements you will make to get clicks. So here’s one for you There’s clickbait,” O’Neal wrote.
“If you don’t rank in the top 10 in your profession, you can’t talk about me. Remember, I know what you did when you were. I’m jealous, you’re jealous too.” I know you’re trying to gossip and stay relevant on the podcast. We don’t believe you. We need more people in case you forget. Search Google for Top 50 and Top 75.
“And frankly, this newfound success you’ve got is still beneath me. You don’t know my work ethic. But I work less than you, but I’m worth more than you.” Make sense. If you need help making money, it’s a better way than gossip. I’m too old to think like this. Don’t love the most dominant big man of all time. Remember, I don’t know you. In the words of @skipbayless, I’m better than you. I have, you don’t, it’s not my profession. And your goat argument, I didn’t want to be a goat, you’re the most dominant one ever. I wanted to be the person to welcome you. #theapexpredator.”
React to Shaq’s rant in the middle of the nightSharpe said that during his football career, he knew he wasn’t as good at basketball as Shaq, but he knew he was maximizing his natural talent.
Schack promised a further response Friday evening.
