SHAQUILLE O’Neal bared a ‘Top 5’ NBA player has asked to be excluded from the Hall of Famer’s popular blooper reel segment ‘Shaqtin a Fool.’
O’Neal has become a basketball analyst for NBA on TNT and NBA TV where he also hosts the popular segment that’s practically a highlight reel of bloopers committed by NBA players that provides a humorous side to the league.
While on broadcast duty for the December 23 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, O’Neal revealed to panel partner Reggie Miller that he has received numerous calls from players and their agents to not be featured on the segment. One particular player’s agent, though, piqued his interest as was one of the elite ballers in the league.
“Every now and then I get calls from players. I won’t give out no names… we had an agent call my agent and say, ‘Hey can you keep this player off Shaqtin’ A Fool’?” said O’Neal.
Pressed by Miller to share the player’s identity, O’Neal declined to give a name but described him as a “a Top 5 player in the league.”
You guys do realize Shaq himself revealed this story -- on air -- last week, right? Lol why do people care *now* all the sudden? ???? pic.twitter.com/jcm9qR0lpb
— Mike Goldfarb (@MikeGoldFool) December 29, 2016
Shaqtin A Fool director and producer Mike Goldfarb confirmed Shaq's revelation in a series of tweets. Goldfarb even suggested that the said player could have redeemed an annual Golden Ticket offer on Twitter to be spared of the ridicule, instead of going through Shaq’s agent.
When an NBA player thinks he might appear on the show, he could post the link with the golden ticket that would effectively spare them from being included on the show. The Lakers’ Larry Nance Jr. and PJ Tucker of the Phoenix Suns have availed of the offer.
What's funny is the players ALL have an easy way to avoid Shaqtin: just redeem our once-a-year Golden Ticket offer https://t.co/Wx78EEWSt5
— Mike Goldfarb (@MikeGoldFool) December 28, 2016
Elite stars have not been spared from appearing on Shaqtin a Fool, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant and James Harden, to name a few. As for who among them wants out of the segment? Only Shaq knows for sure.
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