Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, especially when it comes to defending those he cares about.
So when Angel Reese found herself the target of racially charged social media commentary, the four-time NBA champion didn’t hesitate.
“RG3? Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m going to punch you in your f***ing face,” Shaq declared, slamming Robert Griffin III for sharing what many viewed as a racially insensitive image suggesting tension between Reese and fellow WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
Still, not every situation calls for confrontation. Over the weekend, O’Neal made a surprise appearance at a Big3 playoff game in Dallas.
Despite the fact that league founder Ice Cube has been publicly supportive of Clark over Reese in business terms, Shaq showed up not to argue, but to support because of coach Nancy Lieberman.
“I want to apologize to Ice Cube. This is a fabulous event. I can’t believe I’ve never been before. I was in Dallas, and Coach Lieberman made me come,” Shaq said at the game.
“She texted me and said, ‘I better see you at the playoff game tomorrow.’ So I’m here to represent.”
Shaq’s visit may have surprised fans, especially given Cube‘s earlier comments that Clark’s $5 million offer came because she would help the Big3 grow on a national scale.
“She’s a great player,” Cube had said about Reese, “but our sponsors didn’t tell us the same thing about Angel Reese, so I don’t know if we can make that same offer.”
Shaq addresses Reese’s concerns over his silence
While Ice Cube insisted his offer to Clark was purely a business decision, O’Neal’s silence on that matter didn’t go unnoticed.
Angel Reese reportedly called Shaq personally, asking why he hadn’t spoken up when Charles Barkley labeled the WNBA’s treatment of Clark as “petty.” Shaq explained that the segment on TNT didn’t give him time to respond.
“Angel actually called me. She was upset [and asked me], ‘Why you didn’t say nothing?’ I said, ‘Angel, because Charles does what he always does.’ He takes up a segment and by the time [it’s my turn, the producers say,] ‘Sorry we got to get to commercial,'” Shaq shared on The Big Podcast with Shaq.
When asked more directly about Barkley‘s criticisms, Shaq doubled down: “Loudmouths like Chuck are talking about hating, it’s not hating,” he told USA Today.
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