Shannon Sharpe And Shaquille O’Neal's Heated Exchange Online Goes Viral After Controversial MVP Interview
Two titans of the sports media world are exchanging verbal blows.
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal and NFL icon Shannon Sharpe — both decorated champions and esteemed members of their sports' Halls of Fame — found themselves embroiled in a feud following O'Neal's contentious interview with the Denver Nuggets standout Nikola Jokic earlier this week.
"Joker as the president of the Big Man Alliance — you are the vice president of the Big Man Alliance — you know I love you. The best player in the league, I want to congratulate you," O'Neal, 52, said to Jokic on an episode of TNT's 'Inside the NBA.'
"I want you to hear it from me first, I thought SGA [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] should have been the MVP," O'Neal told Jokic, 29. "That's no disrespect to you, but congratulations."
During his "Nightcap" podcast alongside Chad Johnson and Gilbert Arenas, Sharpe delved into the psychological motivations behind O'Neal's decision to create what we considered an uncomfortable situation.
Sharpe suggested that O'Neal, who secured just one MVP title throughout his illustrious career, deserved recognition for at least five considering his unparalleled dominance on the court.
"Shaq is never brought up in [GOAT conversations]," Sharpe said. "And I think a part of him is envious of that."
Sharpe eventually took the dispute to a personal level by questioning Shaq's commitment to the sport.
"If Shaq had had my work ethic, he'd have had 40,000 points," Sharpe claimed.
O'Neal fired back at Sharpe's criticisms across various platforms.
In a post on X, O'Neal referenced a list compiled by renowned late former Cowboys scout Gil Brandt, ranking Sharpe as the 11th best tight end in NFL history, suggesting this ranking rendered Sharpe unfit to critique his basketball achievements.
"gotta be top ten in your profession, before you speak on someone in there [sic] profession," O'Neal posted.
The 4-time NBA champion also took to Instagram to deliver a fiery retort to Sharpe's remarks.
"you took me sticking up for @shai as jealousy?? shows how smart you are and how you say anything to get clicks. so here's some click bait for you. if you ain't ranked in the top ten in your profession , then you can't speak on Me. don't forget i know what you did to get where you at. me jealous lol sounds like you jealous," O'Neal wrote on Thursday.
Sharpe, 55, fired back questioning: "Do you truly believe you gave your all in basketball?"
"google me. and to b quite frank all this new success you got, you still under me. u don't kno my work ethic. but according i work less than you but im worth more than you. make it make sense. love you too," the former Los Angeles Lakers player continued in the caption. "if you need help making money it's better ways than gossiping. i'm too old for this s**t."
