• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Shaquille O'Neal in tears following emotional interaction with NBA greats after mammoth LeBron James feat

Home> NBA

Published 04:43 9 Feb 2023 GMT

Shaquille O'Neal in tears following emotional interaction with NBA greats after mammoth LeBron James feat

The basketball legend had a pair of emotional interactions LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins

Shaquille O’Neal was on hand to give his analysis of the monumental record-breaking LeBron James moment.

LeBron James carved his name into the basketball history books by becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points had stood since April 5, 1984.

LeBron secured the feat with an impressive outing against Oklahoma that saw him overtake the record late into the third quarter.

Advert

O’Neal was full of praise for the record-breaker, and things clearly got very emotional between the pair when they spoke on the broadcast.

James was on the court as Shaq spoke to him for the broadcast room.

O’Neal could be seen wiping back tears on NBA on TNT after the game.

Advert

He congratulated James, saying: “Congratulations. I can remember coming to see you play in high school, 18 years old. I know what type of person you are, I know what type of player you are.

However, the big man wouldn’t let LeBron finish his interview without asking him the all-important question.

He asked: “Does this now make you the greatest player of all time? Are you now the GOAT?”

The Lakers player attempted to downplay the question, but Shaq wasn’t going to let him off easy.

Advert

Shaq insisted: “I want to hear you say it! Say it Bron! Say it with your chest! Say it Bron Bron!”

And James did indeed give in, replying: “Listen big fella, for me personally, I’m going to take myself against anybody that’s ever played this game. But everyone’s gonna have their favourite … I know what I’ve brought to the table, what I bring to the table every single night and what I can do out on this floor.

“I always feel like I’m the best to ever play this game. But there are so many other great ones and I’m happy to just be a part of their journey.”

And while their interaction was gold, it was Shaq’s conversation with the former all-time leading scorer Abdul-Jabbar that seriously got him emotional.

Advert

Both LeBron and O’Neal have spoken in the past about having little relationship with the 75-year-old due to being an introvert.

And Abdul-Jabbar had a touching message for Shaq in an attempt to put things straight.

He said: “I want to tell Shaq, I asked for you specifically this evening. Because you felt that I was ashamed of you or ignoring you. That would never be the case.

Advert

“You showed them what you were all about, the way you crushed all the centres in the league for a couple of years there.

“I’m on your side Shaq, don’t ever let anybody tell you anything different.”

Shaq emotionally responded: “Listen, you not speaking to me was the best thing to happen to my career, because all I wanted to do was impress you sir.

“I will talk with you soon, inshallah and I love you very much.

“I will never ever have beef with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You ain’t gotta worry about that.”

Abdul-Jabbar sent the love straight back as O’Neal fought back the tears.

Featured Image Credit: NBA on TNT

Topics: Lebron James, NBA, Basketball,

Jayden Collins
Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at SPORTbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
2 days ago
  • a day ago

    Tyrese Haliburton is about to cost Pacers astronomical sum of money after devastating setback

    Haliburton has undergone surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon.

    NBA
  • a day ago

    Dallas Mavericks stars make their LeBron James feelings known ahead of potential Lakers trade

    Kyrie Irving has previously been keen in private on the Mavs to trade with the LA Lakers for former running mate James

    NBA
  • a day ago

    Steph Curry has clear LeBron James stance as trade to Golden State Warriors rumoured

    Curry and James were both instrumental as the US secured gold at the Olympics in Paris last year having served as NBA rivals for years

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    LeBron James 'seriously considered' accepting shock contract as LA Lakers future thrown into fresh doubt

    LeBron James has been linked with a move away from the Los Angeles Lakers.

    NBA
  • LeBron James answers retirement rumours without even saying a word
  • LeBron James 'seriously considered' accepting shock contract as LA Lakers future thrown into fresh doubt
  • LeBron James linked with shock move away from the LA Lakers in move that would rock NBA
  • LeBron James settled the NBA vs NFL debate by naming the hardest sport to learn as a pro