Shaq’s looking a little different on TNT today. The big man arrived in Studio J a tad late because he had to get his hair done. Hair? On the ninth sexiest bald man in the world? Shaquille O’Neal made an extra fashion statement with his wine-colored velour suit as an emo “man unit.” Of course, his colleagues didn’t let him live it down.
“You were wondering where Shaquille O’Neal was all night,” Adam Lefkoe said when the TNT Tuesday broadcast resumed for the halftime report, “Apparently, he lost a bet and had to go to the hair salon.”
If you were wondering why he was late tonight, @SHAQ lost a bet and had to get a new hairdo 💀💇♂️ pic.twitter.com/8SEvOWH5eQ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 28, 2024
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Shaq was looking for something better after he lost the bet. A buddy named ‘Slice’ took him to a place in Atlanta that specializes in man units. But he confirmed there’s only one message he’s sending out with his new style. “I look good.”
READ MORE: “He Took a Personal Shot”: Charles Barkley “Hurt” by LeBron James’ Response to Criticism
Of course, the Big Aristotle did not specify what the bet was. But it was a decent reminder of another NBA star’s hairy statement.
Shaquille O’Neal is ready to snatch Jimmy Butler’s wig
Shaq’s grungy style brought war flashbacks of Jimmy Butler attending Miami Heat‘s press conference earlier this year in an emo look. Although he ditched the Jojo McDodd wig and the piercings during the games, he successfully got everyone talking about his style. Particularly Shaq. O’Neal previously dressed up as emo Jimmy Butler on Inside the NBA’s Halloween broadcast.
This time, Candace Parker asked TNT to do a poll to determine “Who wore it better” between Shaq and Jimmy. Shaq maintained, “I look better” as he headbanged like a rockstar to Jamal Crawford’s wild singing. And he’s comfortable doing it again. He issued a call on the show, “Anybody in Atlanta that can do a mean unit… man unit like this, holler at me.” Shaq confirmed he’s asking for a definite real one, “For a month. I’ll do it for a month.”
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Big Diesel has strutted into TNT with different styles of wigs. One time he hilariously showed up to work with fake curly locks to cover an embarrassing head injury. After making up awesome excuses, the 7’1″ giant admitted he walked into an exit sign.
.@SHAQ made good on his #SuperBowl bet with a Blonde wig 😂
Watch #TheBigPodcast LIVE in the B/R App: https://t.co/6iZiBFYVGS pic.twitter.com/VJXxnWjzvl
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 14, 2023
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Another hairy situation O’Neal got himself into was after losing a bet to his championship-winning teammate, Dwyane Wade. He was made to grow out his hairline which resulted in Charles Barkley, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith and Ernie Johnson teasing him. His angular hairline has become a running joke at TNT. Now Shaquille O’Neal is willing to carry the emo look for a month if he gets the right wig that would blow Butler’s style out of the water. How badly do you want to see that?
READ MORE: Legal Error Triggers Shaquille O’Neal’s Plea, Shuns Ex-Associate’s Allegations With Strong Claim