Throughout NBA history, most players have built up remarkable equity outside of basketball. While their contributions to the court are spectacular, they also remain pillars of society. Despite being at the top of such a hypothetical list, Shaquille O’Neal recently entered controversial air. After claiming that he did not emotionally open up to women for fear of it being “thrown back in his face”, the conversation became a topic of national attention, leading to Shannon Sharpe bringing it up on his podcast.

With Mo’Nique and the big man already having a long-standing friendship, her vehement disagreement with Shaq was a big surprise. However, the Los Angeles Lakers legend isn’t ready to budge from his statement.

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“The answer my beautiful sister, and I love you too Mo’Nique. First of all, let me address this. We can have respectful arguments without getting personal. And I would never get personal with Miss Mo’Nique.”

He would choose to then address one specific part of her argument. “She used the word pillow-talk. I don’t pillow-talk.” Then he would tackle the next part of her statement. She used the words, “Shaq doesn’t have a woman.” While agreeing to that being true, he believes he has a far better alternative. “Who do I open up to? Nobody…Because my remedy to success is I have sense.”

But where did this entire conversation begin?

Shaquille O’Neal has an aversion to emotional conversations

The entire situation arose due to two specific podcasts. An earlier Shaq quote from The Big Podcast would form the basis for Mo’Nique to go after him. During that interview, the 7-footer would reveal how he doesn’t like to open up to women.

His fear of that emotion being used against him forms the basis of his closed-off nature. However, his “beautiful sister” wasn’t willing to let it go as easily. Claiming that she couldn’t support that ideology, she would take shots at the Miami Heat legend’s love life and how he doesn’t have anyone in his life at the moment for the same reason.

While in theory, his reasoning makes sense, could the way he grew up have played a factor in it? Who do you think is in the right? Let us know in the comments below.

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