Shaquille O’Neal once helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles from 2000-02, and the big man made sure he had fun along the way.
O’Neal has always been notorious for having a great sense of humor, and he always seemed to have plenty of fun on and off the basketball court. In a recent promotional event, former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson told a story about one of Shaq’s unusual humorous antics.
According to Kevin McGuire of The Comeback, Jackson said:
Well, you know, numbers of times, he could crack a team up with humorous effects on the floor. There were times when he shocked us all in a practice situation, especially when he showed up nude with just his shoes on.
This comes as no surprise to those who have worked closely with Shaq, and even to casual fans who are aware of Shaq’s enormous personality. The big man is now an analyst for TNT’s Emmy Award winning show, Inside the NBA, and his personality shines even bigger on TV than it did during his playing career.
O’Neal claims that he does not remember the incident, per
Charles Curtis of For The Win, but how could anyone really forget such an unusual prank? The truth is, Phil, Shaq, and every Laker who was in the practice facility will remember that moment for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately for his teammates, the image of Shaq’s nude body will be permanently eminent in their memories. Shaq was the most dominant center of all time, but his charisma on and off the court made him more memorable.