Latest news with #OfftheRecord
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shaq believes Jordan and Curry had the least amount of help winning championships: "Mike and Steph are the same people"
Shaq believes Jordan and Curry had the least amount of help winning championships: "Mike and Steph are the same people" originally appeared on Basketball Network. It's always going to be one of those conversations that sparks debate the moment it leaves someone's mouth. Who had the toughest road to a title? Who carried the biggest load when the games mattered most? And in a week where offseason trade buzz, podcast monologues and off-court whispers have already pushed things into overdrive, Shaquille O'Neal threw in his own perspective to keep the show running. While on the "Off the Record" podcast, Shaq broke down which all-time greats had to carry the heaviest weight during their championship runs and it's safe to say his answer might come as a surprise to many. "Who had the least amount of help? I would be a tie, Kobe had a lot of help and let me go on a record, I had a lot of help. So, release that," Shaquille began his detailed explanation on this topic. That honesty was classic Shaq, self-aware but blunt. He acknowledged that he and Kobe Bryant balanced each other out, even admitted they made things easier for one another. But then came the real punch. "Mike and Steph are the same people. Both bad boys, but they got another bad dude next to you. Klay was whew! It's a tie between those two. Mike had to carry a lot, but Pippen was a bad boy. Steph had to carry a lot but Draymond (Green) and Klay, them some bad boys, so it's tie. Kobe didn't have to do much, because I was there, and I didn't have to do much, because he was there… We equaled each other out," the legendary big man added. Did Shaq miss someone? On the surface, it sounds like high praise. Putting Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan in the same breath isn't something O'Neal does lightly. The way he framed it, Steph and Mike had another "bad dude" next to them, but still shouldered most of the responsibility, is a nod to how dominant both were in their respective runs. Still, it's hard to overlook a few things. One, there was no mention of LeBron James, a player who's dragged some of the most underwhelming supporting casts to the NBA Finals — not once, not twice, but year after year. Sure, someone might say yeah, but he had all that help with the Miami Heat, but they only managed to win two... And that's perfectly fine as well. And two, if we're going to talk about Steph, how does Kevin Durant not enter that equation? For two of those four titles, KD was not just along for the ride. He was arguably the guy in the biggest moments, and his two Finals MVPs while on the same team as Chef only go to show it. Yet somehow, Shaq kept it strictly to the original core, leaving out a chunk of important context when we're comparing who really had the least and MJ had to do the most Shaq's framing probably says more about how he values hierarchy than it does actual roster makeup. In his eyes, when two guys like him and Kobe shared the spotlight, it canceled things out. But when you're the No. 1 guy and the rest of the help is solid but not overwhelming, it speaks to how much you had to carry. And in that sense, yes, both Steph and MJ had that rare mix of stardom and burden. Neither had too much of a safety net of a second MVP or a modern-day superteam (at least by Shaq's definition). The offense flowed through them and the two, as O'Neal called them, bad boys, carried the load for the most part. But ignoring Durant in Golden State or leaving out LeBron entirely? That's where the debate really begins. Because, as much as Shaq loves the barbershop talk, it's hard to have a whole conversation about carrying a team without including the guy who's done it with everything from Donyell Marshall to Daniel Gibson (no offense to anyone) to Anthony Davis and Dwyane Wade. Who knows, maybe this will be the new GOAT debate, not who was the best, but who carried the most when it mattered and every now and again someone will come out with the fresh perspective on the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Shaq threatens to 'punch' ex-NFL star RG3 over Angel Reese social media post
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal went after former NFL star Robert Griffin III over the ex-quarterback's remarks about Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. O'Neal appeared to be upset over Griffin coming to the defense of Reese as he reshared a racist picture depicting her as a monkey on the cover of a video game. In the same post, Griffin wrote that he was told by someone from her "inner circle" that Reese hates Caitlin Clark. The odd post caught the attention of the sports world last week. O'Neal made his comments about it on the "Off the Record" podcast. His appearance hit the internet on Tuesday. "RG3, tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm gonna punch you in your f---ing face," O'Neal said. "It's enough. I don't usually do stuff like this, but just stop it bro," O'Neal said. "You got your job, you got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone. I'm the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F---ing stop it. That's the last time. "It's not real hate. If you look around at what's going on in this real country, that's hate. This is sports. I'm not supposed to like you. It's a shame that all the stuff that you did in your life, you're gonna be remembered for your podcast. You're gonna be remembered for your podcast. That should tell you you're not that f---ing great. I don't want to be remembered for Shaq's 'Big Podcast.' I do not." O'Neal said he's been talking to Reese and imploring her not to respond. He added that Griffin should leave WNBA players alone and stick to his own sport. Griffin didn't immediately respond to O'Neal's post. He wrote several paragraphs on social media, first coming to the defense of Reese after a racist image of her NBA 2K26 appeared. He said there was "no place for racism in the world" and that Reese "should never be called or depicted as a monkey" Griffin added that he was quiet about Reese because of the hate he and his family received over the most recent discourse in May after a contentious moment between the two WNBA stars. "That will never be OK with me. I never attacked her or her family when I stated and backed up with clear basketball evidence that Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. It's sports. Everybody won't like each other," he added. "People in Angel's inner circle called me and told me I was right, and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her. "Some people made it about race, but I never did and never will. Instead of becoming the villain in anyone's story, I decided to just not. All that being said, Angel Reese or any Black man or woman should never be called or depicted as a Monkey. Ever." Reese appeared to respond to Griffin's remarks in a separate post. "lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work," she wrote. Reese's mom also claimed Griffin was lying about talking with the basketball player's inner circle." "Whomever U say "called" U is not in her circle 2 speak on her feelings towards a media/fandom made up beef," she wrote. "Just stay on that side bc the doors are closed over here." Griffin fired back. "I spoke up in support of Angel Reese against racism not to start drama," he wrote on X. "But I won't let anyone twist the truth just because it's inconvenient to them. Instead of trying to check me, just tighten up your circle. "They calling me and saying you hate Caitlin Clark, not the other way around. I have zero interest in being the villain in anyone's story. I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports. But I won't pretend or lie just to protect feelings." Griffin made the initial claim that Reese "hates" Clark after the Sky and Fever stars got into a heated skirmish in May. Both Clark and Reese were named to the All-Star Game. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
CONTROVERSY EXPLAINED: Shaquille O'Neal threatens Robert Griffin III for 'monkey post' about his 'girl' Angel Reese, 'I'm going to...'
Shaquille O'Neal didn't mince words when he confronted Robert Griffin III for reposting a racist image involving WNBA star Angel Reese. The NBA legend issued a heated warning during a recent podcast appearance, threatening physical violence if Griffin made another disrespectful comment about Reese. The post, which depicted Reese as a monkey on a video game cover, was widely condemned, and Shaq made it clear that he would not tolerate any further attacks, especially from Griffin. Shaq issues fierce warning on 'Off the Record' podcast While appearing on Bailey Jackson's 'Off the Record' podcast, Shaq lashed out at the former NFL quarterback. 'Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese, and I'm going to punch you in your f–king face,' he said bluntly. O'Neal, who shares an LSU connection with Reese and recently signed her to Reebok as part of his leadership there, made it clear he had grown tired of RG3's repeated criticism. 'Leave my Angel Reese alone,' he added. 'I'm the one calling her, telling her not to respond… That's the last time. OK?' Shaq also dismissed Griffin's credibility on the issue, saying he lacked 'G14 classification' to speak on women's basketball matters. 'I would respect it more if Lisa Leslie said it. That's their category. Stay out of them people's category,' he stated. Griffin's post sparks backlash, Shaq questions his legacy Griffin's July 10 post, which claimed sources told him Reese 'hates' Caitlin Clark, had added fuel to an already toxic narrative being spun around the WNBA rivalry. While he claimed the post was 'backed up with clear basketball evidence,' Shaq saw the post as more self-serving than journalistic. 'It's a shame that all the stuff you did in your life, you're going to be remembered for your podcast,' he said. 'Let it go. So what? She hates her. So what? I hate you now for messing with her. Now what? Say something about me.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shaquille O'Neal vs Robert Griffin III 'NBA 2K26 cover' feud over Angel Reese explained
Shaquille O'Neal, Angel Reese and Robert Griffin III. Image via: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP | Erin Hooley/ AP |NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has issued a fiery warning to former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, publicly threatening him over his ongoing commentary about WNBA star Angel Reese. The exchange has thrown fuel on an already heated situation, with O'Neal going on record during a podcast appearance to say: 'Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face.' As public tensions mount, this clash has become one of the most talked-about flashpoints in sports media. Shaquille O'Neal threatens Robert Griffin III over Angel Reese criticism Shaquille O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and longtime mentor to Angel Reese, delivered a blunt message to Robert Griffin III during an appearance on Bailey Jackson's Off the Record podcast. 'RG3? Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face. It's enough. I don't usually do stuff like this, but just stop it, bro. You got your job, you got your podcast... Leave my Angel Reese alone.' Shaq, who shares an alma mater with Reese in LSU, continued: 'I'm the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F***ing stop it. That's the last time. OK? Thank you.' The NBA legend added, 'It's not real hate. If you look around at what's going on in this real country, that's hate. This is sports. I'm not supposed to like you!' Shaq called Griffin a 'fool' and warned, 'Now pick on me. You pick on me, I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face.' What did Robert Griffin III say about Angel Reese? Former NFL star Griffin ignited controversy by reposting a racist, photoshopped NBA 2K26 cover featuring Reese, where someone replaced her image with a monkey. Though Griffin claimed he was condemning racism, the act of reposting the offensive image amplified its reach. He didn't stop there. Griffin also alleged that Reese 'hates' Caitlin Clark and said her inner circle had confirmed that to him. 'People in Angel's inner circle called me and told me I was right and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her. Some people made it about race, but I never did and never will. Instead of becoming the villain in anyone's story, I decided to just not,' he wrote on X in a lengthy post caption of the monkey-faced image repost. Despite the backlash, Griffin doubled down. He wrote: 'Angel Reese should never be called or depicted as a Monkey.' He added that Reese had shared a video that led to threats against his family: 'That will never be okay with me. I never attacked her or her family… I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports.' Still, Shaq wasn't having any of it, stating flatly, 'Leave those girls alone… I hate you now for messing with her.' Angel Reese's response to Robert Griffin III criticism Reese has largely avoided direct confrontation, but her indirect posts were cutting. Reese swiftly clapped back on X, saying, 'Lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.' Her mother also stepped in, tweeting, 'Whomever U say 'called' U is not in her circle 2 speak on her feelings.' Reese's restraint hasn't gone unnoticed. O'Neal explained, 'She's not soft, by any means. She's from the streets. But I'm like, 'You're beautiful, don't indulge with these fools.'' Also Read: Chicago Sky's iconic player Angel Reese creates WNBA history with new franchise milestone Reese, now in her second WNBA season, faces the pressure of public attention that remains intense. Fortunately, she has voices like O'Neal's standing firm in her defense. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Shaq promises to 'punch' RG3 if he goes after Angel Reese again
My mom had a chance to instruct the Celtics for a few years and she said Shaq was a super respectful guy when he was on the of whether your team CC or Angel, I'm just really glad to see a male superstar defend a player from RG3's antics. Robert Griffin III -- better known to the world as former NFL QB RG3 -- has been put on notice by none other than Shaquille O'Neal. Griffin recently posted a racist edit of a photo of Angel Reese on an NBA 2K26 cover, using it to call out the racism while... simultaneously sharing it to his many, many followers. Fans saw right through it, which was good, but still -- it was awful that he shared the image in the first place. Shaq noticed, and on the Off the Record podcast, he delivered a warning without holding back. WARNING: There's NSFW language in this video: He went in more and defended her, talking about how he told her to "keep it classy." Shaq ahs talked about how Reese is "like a daughter" to him, so this is definitely personal. Good on him for calling out the hate.
