Super Bowl LVII lived up to its billing as one of the biggest sporting events of the year as celebrities and stars across the country flooded to Glendale, Arizona to witness the action. NBA legends like Shaquille O’Neal [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/shaquille-oneal/] and LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lebron-james/] got their seats in the house for the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl/] and Philadelphia Eagles [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/]. Los Angeles Lakers [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/los-angeles-lakers/] legend Shaq, an ardent Cowboys fan, regularly uploaded images and videos from the arena via social media. Subsequently, he took a dig at a social media star in front of thousands of NFL fans and uploaded the same on his Instagram. The Big Aristotle is known for his humor and hilarious antics in his shows and podcasts. The big man and fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley [http://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/charles-barkley/] are American household favorites for their friendly banters and pranks on the show. Similarly, Dr. Shaq pulled out one of his banters on the famous YouTuber Druski and uploaded it online. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL TROLLS YOUTUBER ON CAMERA Shaquille O’Neal shared a hysterical video [https://www.instagram.com/reel/ColYa1_p81J/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D]of him roasting the YouTuber Druski during the Sunday night thriller. Shaq took a sly dig at the star while commenting on his outfit for the Super Bowl. He said, “I m chilling here with my main man Druski, Y’all take a good look, take them little a** shorts off!” The caption of the post included, “Looking good then a mug with them lil boy shorts on.” Druski took the banter sportingly as he moved aside with a laugh saying, “I paid good money for this man.” Read More – Amid “Rihanna Still Loves You” Fever, LeBron James Reaffirms His Only True Romance in Life [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-amid-rihanna-still-loves-you-fever-lebron-james-reaffirms-his-only-true-romance-in-life/] The Big Aristotle sported a glittering neckpiece with Shaq’s nameplate studded with diamonds and one of the rings from the Lakers championships. Notably, Barkley was rooting for the Philadelphia side, having even bet $1.5 million on the Eagles [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-nfl-news-charles-barkley-turns-on-drake-mode-with-1500000-bet-preparing-for-the-nfl-super-bowl-ernies-kicking-your-a-in-every-other-bet/]. Unfortunately for Chuck, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed their second Super Bowl win in four years in a close encounter at the Arizona State Farm Stadium, winning 38-35 in the end. Notably, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes [http://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/patrick-mahomes/] won the MVP award. Watch This Story – How Much Have Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Brady And Other Stars Earned From One Common Investment? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-basletball-news-how-much-have-stephen-curry-shaquille-oneal-tom-brady-and-other-stars-earned-from-one-common-investment/] What do you make Shaquille O’Neal’s friendly banter with Druski? Let us know in the comments below. 

The Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal took a sly dig at a famous social
media star at the Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.

Shahul Hameed is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He holds a Master's degree
in Journalism and Mass Communication and has previously worked as a contributor
at an online news site. Shahul has always shared a keen interest in journalism,
starting off as a reporter for his college news journal. He has been following
the NBA for quite some time now, especially the dominance of the superstars
Stephen Curry and LeBron James on the hardwood. Apart from his work in sports
journalism, Shahul is also passionate about movies-the works of Quentin
Tarantino, David Fincher and Wes Anderson, in particular. He has also
participated in several academic short film projects.

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“Take Them Little A** Shorts Off!”: Shaquille O’Neal Rips Social Media Star in
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Charles Barkley

Who is Charles Barkley? 60-year-old Charles Barkley is known by many as the candid jokester from &#8216;Inside the NBA&#8217; on TNT. The Basketball Hall of Famer joined the broadcasting circuit in 2000, shortly after retiring from professional basketball. Before that, Barkley played in the NBA for 16 seasons, with 11 of them being All-Star seasons. NEW YORK, NY &#8211; OCTOBER 18: Retired NBA player Charles Barkley attends the 2016 Broadcasting &amp; Cable Hall of Fame 26th Anniversary Gala at The Waldorf Astoria on October 18, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage) Charles Barkley&#8217;s Early Life Charles Barkley was born on February 20, 1963, to Frank Barkley and Charcey Glenn. The two then had another son named Darryl Barkley. But Frank abandoned the family when Charles was young and his parents eventually divorced. The NBA legend was born and brought up in Leeds, Alabama. Shockingly, the future NBA superstar was in a life-threatening situation when he was born as he weighed just over six pounds. Barkley had severe anemia, and his condition was serious when he was six weeks old. Fortunately, he recovered with the help of doctors. Interestingly, even his mother was astonished at how Barkley turned out to be an elite athlete despite being underweight during birth. Charles had a poor relationship with his father during his younger years. However, the two then bonded well later on until his father&#8217;s demise in December 2021. The 11x NBA All-Star once opened up about his father and their initial rocky relationship. His mother Charcey passed away in June 2015. Charles Barkley graduated from Leeds High School in 1980 and was recruited by Auburn University to play college basketball. Barkley majored in business management and graduated in 1984, declaring for the NBA Draft. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Wife and Children In 1989, Charles married Maureen Blumhardt. The couple welcomed their daughter Christiana Barkley the same year. Interestingly, the Hall of Famer named his only child after the Christiana Mall in Delaware. In 2021, his daughter tied the knot with Ilya Hoffman in the presence of close friends and family. 2 years ago, Christiana and her husband welcomed their son Henry into the world. A year and a half later, Charles Barkley proudly shared the birth of his second grandchild, Charles Eliza, named in honor of the 1993 NBA MVP. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Net Worth 2024Â  NBA legend Charles Barkley currently has an estimated net worth of $70 million. Over 2 decades after his 16-year NBA career, Chuck continues to remain a hot property. Notably, the Philadelphia 76ers legend has found unprecedented success as a TV personality. Fans around the world love his antics as a basketball analyst forÂ Inside The NBAÂ on TNT. Barkley signed a five-year $30 million deal with TNT in 2020. Then in 2022, he reportedly signed a massive ten-year $100 million contract to continue his work for the network. NBA, Basketball Herren, USA All Star Game-Slam Dunk Contest Feb 16, 2013 Houston, TX, USA TNT broadcaster Shaquille O Neal left and Charles Barkley talk during the 2013 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest at the Toyota Center. Houston Toyota Center TX USA, Copyright: xBobxDonnan-USAxTODAYxSportsx 7049582 Last year, the 60-year-old also signed with CNN for an undisclosed amount. The new contract increased his net worth and set him up in a partnership with acclaimed journalist, Gayle King. Their new show &#8216;King Charles&#8217; started streaming in November, 2023 and has been received with mixed reviews. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Career Charles Barkley&#8217;s start to his basketball career was not what he had in mind. He was 5&#8217;10&#8221; and overweight as a junior and did not make the varsity team. Interestingly, Barkley had a shocking growth spurt in the summer and stood at 6&#8217;4&#8243;. As his basketball skills aligned with his physical prowess, Barkley became a starter on the varsity team as a senior. However, he was still not considered a college prospect. But things changed when he dominated one of the highly-rated college prospects in the state. Soon, Auburn University came calling. The once six-pound infant who was in a life-threatening situation struggled with weight gain during his college career. However, Barkley established himself as one of the best college players in the country. During his time with Auburn University, Barkley also earned a lot of accolades for his performances. Then he declared for the NBA Draft in 1984. The Philadelphia 76ers selected Barkley as the 5th overall pick in the draft. He hit the ground running and earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. In the next few years, he continued his ascension and established himself as one of the best players in the league. He made his first All-Star appearance in 1987 and won the All-Star MVP award in 1991. However, team success was hard to come by. The power forward was tired of losing and requested a trade. The Sixers traded him to the Phoenix Suns in 1992. During his first season with the Suns, Barkley clinched the NBA MVP award while averaging 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Notably, Chuck won the MVP race against Michael Jordan who was in his prime. Unfortunately for Barkley, his luck against close friend Jordan ran out in the 1993 NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls clinched their third straight title by beating the Suns 4-2.  via Getty Over the next few seasons, Barkley and the Suns did not make the Conference Finals. In the twilight of his career, he moved to the Houston Rockets to team up with legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Scottie Pippen for a shot at the title. Barkley even took pay cuts to accommodate other stars. However, the aging Rockets did not reach find success. Barkley would rupture his left quadricep tendon during his last season. But after 5 months of recovery, the 1993 NBA MVP would return to action and play his last NBA minutes on April 19, 2000. Charles Barkley played a total of 1,073 regular season games.  Regular season points 23,757 (22.1 ppg)  Regular season assists 4,215 (3.9 apg)  Regular season rebounds 12,546 (11.7 rpg)  During his 16-season NBA career, Charles Barkley made the playoffs 13/16 times. His career playoff high came in 1994 when he dropped 56 points and 14 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors during a win in Round 1. Barkley would play a total of 123 post-season games.  Playoff points 2,833 (23.0 ppg)  Playoff assists 482 (3.9 apg)  Playoff rebounds 1,582 (12.9 rpg)  Charles Barkley&#8217;s NBA Contracts Despite coming into the league as the 5th pick in 1984, Charles Barkley did not earn over a million dollars for the first 4 seasons of his career. His 1st season saw him valued at slightly over $300,000. Year 2 witnessed a small jump to $437,500 and then $600,000 the next season. Barkley&#8217;s rookie contract ended with a $822,500 annual salary. In 1988-89 Sir Charles signed a 5-year extension with the Sixers, the first year of which saw his salary nearly double to $1.5 million. During the 89-90 and 90-91 seasons, Barkley would be one of the highest paid athletes in the league raking in $3.0 million and $2.9 million over the two seasons respectively. Chuck was the 4th highest paid player during the 1990-91 NBA season. He earned $3.2 million the following season; his last year in Philadelphia.Â  After being traded to Phoenix before the 92-93 season, Charles Barkley took home just under $2.5 million that season. Barkley would win the 1993 NBA MVP with the 31st highest salary that year. US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Unknown date 1996 Phoenix, AZ, USA FILE PHOTO Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley 34 is defended by Seattle Supersonics forward Detlef Schrempf 11 at America West Arena. Phoenix Arizona UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xUSAxTODAYxSportsx 5430952 He then signed a 5-year $18.9 million extension in Phoenix. Over the next two years, his Suns contract steadily increased to $3.25 million then $4 million in 1995 and $4.7 in 1996. Still, given his impact on the team, Barkley was severely underpaid. In 96-97, Charles Barkley was traded to Houston where his salary would stagnate around $4.7 million. By the 97-98 season, Sir Charles had lost a step or two but his salary plummeted to $2.25 million, an abysmal 147th in the league. The following season, Barkley earned just $1 million due to the lockout. Entering the turn of the century, Barkley would sign the highest paying contract of his career, a 1-year $9 million deal to stay in Houston. Unfortunately, a torn left quad would force him to hang up his boots at the end of the season. Charles Barkley earned an estimated $43,608,000 during his NBA career. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Partnerships and EndorsementsÂ  Some of Charles Barkley&#8217;s endorsement deals with major brands are Nike, Coca-Cola, Right Guard, McDonald&#8217;s, and T-Mobile. The 1991 All-Star MVP has also made several investments over the years including real estate and private equity. Barkley&#8217;s Redmont Vodka recently collaborated with the NBA team Atlanta Hawks in order to make the spirit a part of the State Farm Arena menu. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Investments Charles Barkley is a well-known angel investor and producer. He reportedly invested in NeuroVice which is a fledgling startup. The company specializes in medical device technology that improves patient experience. 10 years ago, Barkley also founded the Redmont Distilling Company, which owns the Redmont Vodka. In 2023, the spirit is reported to have crossed $1 million in revenue. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Records One of only four players to record more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists in a career #4 on Team USA Olympic single game scoring leaders list Holds the Olympic field goal record of 81.6% Charles Barkley&#8217;s Awards and Achievements NBA MVP 1993 11x NBA All-Star (1987, 1997) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1991) Two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. men&#8217;s basketball team (1992, 1996) 5x All-NBA First Team (1988, 1991, 1993) 5x All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995) All-NBA Third Team (1996) NBA rebounding leader (1988) NBA&#8217;s 50th and 75th Anniversary Team NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985) No.34 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2006) Charles Barkley&#8217;s Charity and Foundation Charles Barkley believes in giving back to the community. Over the years, he has made some major donations to help society in one way or another. The 76ers legend startedÂ The Charles Barkley FoundationÂ in the mid-90s and has been contributing through the non-profit organization ever since. Notably, Barkley has made massive donations to several HBCUs. He donated $1 million to Spelman College in 2022. Also, he donated $1 million each to Miles College and Tuskegee University in 2020 and he pledged $1 million each to Alabama A&amp;M University and Clark Atlanta University in 2016. Barkley has also vowed $5 million in his will to ensure that his alma mater remains a diverse environment. Furthermore,Â Barkley announced a relief fund to provide financial assistance to hospital staff in need during the coronavirus pandemic. He has also supported charities likeÂ Ante Up For Africa, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America, ENOUGH Project, Hillsides, LIVESTRONG, Not On Our Watch, Stand Up To Cancer, United Service Organization, etc. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Shoe Deal From his days at Auburn to his days with the Sixers, Charles Barkley was a Converse man. He dominated at Auburn University in a pair of Converse All Star Pros. Despite being the SEC MVP during his college days, the road to a signature shoe line would be long for him. It wasn&#8217;t until 1992, when he moved to the Phoenix Suns, that Barkley would sign with Nike and begin working on his own shoe. In 1993, the Air Max Force CB would hit the market, opening the floodgates for drops like the Air Max CB 34, the Nike Air Super CB and more, going on to have seven shoes with Nike by the end of his contract. Even the contract Charles Barkley signed with Nike has an interesting tale. As the 1993 NBA MVP put it, he was being courted by Nike when one of its biggest stars, Michael Jordan, gave the forward some valuable advice. Barkley and Jordan having some banter on court Michael Jordan advised Charles Barkley to convert a part of his $2 million contract into Nike stock. With the stock price at just over $2 in 1992, Barkley agreed to Jordan and ended up making 10x the value of his initial contract. Charles Barkley&#8217;sÂ House Charles Barkley currently resides in his house in Scottsdale, Arizona. The property reportedly cost him around $2.2 million. Barkley bought the luxury mansion when he was playing for the Phoenix Suns. The estate spans over 8,600 square feet with three bedrooms and six bathrooms with many lavish amenities. Charles Barkley&#8217;s Rings Despite being in constant playoff contention, Charles Barkley only played in the NBA Finals once during his 16-season career. It was during his MVP season and he faced off against the man he had beaten for the regular season trophy &#8211; Michael Jordan. Unfortunately for Barkley, his sole trip to the promised land would be cut short as Jordan and the Bulls closed out the series in 6 games to complete their first three-peat. As a result, Charles Barkley has 0 rings. Charles Barkley&#8217;sÂ Car Collection Charles Barkley has an impressive car collection. Some of the most notable cars in the NBA legend&#8217;s garage include the 2011 Lincoln Navigator, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Bentley Continental Sports, Audi A4, and the 2020 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label. Charles Barkleyâ€™s Social Media Accounts Charles Barkley is not active on any public social media accounts.  Full Name Charles Wade Barkley  Popular Name Charles Barkley  Date of Birth 20 February 1963  Birth Place Leeds, Alabama  AgeÂ  60  HeightÂ  6&#8217;5&#8221; (1.98m)  Weight (Update) 290 lbs (130 kgs)  Parents Frank Barkley, Charcey Glenn  Siblings Darryl Barkley, John Glenn  Nationality American  Ethnicity African-American  Net Worth $70 million  Salary $10 million  Spouse Maureen Blumhardt (m. 1989)  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Children Christiana Barkley  Profession Media analyst  Team Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets  Rings 0

Charles Barkley Archives

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LeBron James

Who is LeBron James? LeBron James is widely considered to be one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball. Born in Akron, James spent the majority of his professional career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, winning multiple NBA championships and earning numerous accolades along the way. Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports &nbsp; Known for his exceptional all-around game, James is a four-time MVP and has been selected to the All-Star team a record 18 times. LeBron James&#8217; early life LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. James started playing basketball at a young age, showing great potential. He soon became one of the best high school basketball players in the country. James graduated from St. Vincent&#8217;s St. Mary High School and declared for the NBA draft in 2003. James led St. Vincent&#8217;s St. Mary to three state championships in four years. With Keith Dambrot and Dru Joyce II coaching the side for two years each, the Fighting Irish had a record of 101 victories and 6 losses during James&#8217; time. LeBron James&#8217; wife and children LeBron James was raised by his mother Gloria James, who struggled to make ends meet as a single mother. Not much is known about James&#8217; biological father Anthony McClelland, who was largely absent from LeBron&#8217;s life during his childhood. He is also reported to have criminal records to his name. James has been in a relationship with his high school sweetheart Savannah since his teenage years. The couple tied the knot on September 14, 2013. Savannah James has indulged in several business ventures over the years and is also a noted philanthropist. She has also established a mentorship program for young women. LeBron and Savannah have three children together: Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri James. Both Bronny and Bryce are following in their father&#8217;s footsteps to become basketball stars. In December 2023, Bronny made his long-awaited collegiate debut with the USC Trojans, less than five months after suffering cardiac arrest in July. LeBron James&#8217; net worth 2024 LeBron James has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, according to recent reports. James is the first active NBA star to achieve this feat. The four-time NBA champion signed a two-year $97.1 million contract extension with theÂ Los Angeles Lakers last year. As per reports, James has earned around $387 million in salaries in his 20-year NBA career so far. Furthermore, he has also made a fortune with his endorsement deals and investments, which have helped him build his massive business empire. LeBron James&#8217; NBA career timeline TheÂ Cleveland Cavaliers selected hometown boy LeBron James as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. James was a superstar straight out of high school and took the league by storm. He played for the Cavaliers from 2003 to 2010 in his first stint and won MVP awards in 2009 and 2010. Even though the Akron Hammer was almost unstoppable on the court and won many individual accolades, team success was hard to come by. Bilder des Tages &#8211; SPORT NBA Playoffs, Cleveland Cavaliers &#8211; Indiana Pacers April 25, 2018 &#8211; Cleveland, OH, USA &#8211; The Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James celebrates a basket and foul in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers won, 98-95, for a 3-2 lead in the first-round NBA Basketball Herren USA playoff series. Game 5: Indiana at Cleveland &#8211; ZUMAm67_ 20180425_zaf_m67_043 Copyright: xLeahxKlafczynskix James then left the Cavs and took his talents to theÂ Miami Heat in 2010. He received major backlash from Cavs fans after this move. However, he continued his dominance, alongside superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for the Heat, and clinched his first NBA title in 2012, followed by another in 2013. He also won the NBA MVP award and the Finals MVP award in 2012 and 2013. The estranged son then returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and took the team to four straight NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He helped the Cavs win their first-ever NBA title in 2016. James once again left the Cavs, this time to join the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2018 and led them to the 2020 NBA title.Â  Following the retirements of Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala, LeBron James is currently the oldest player in the league. On the 21st of November 2023, James became the first player in league history to reach 39,000 career points. Six days later, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar&#8217;s record of 66,300 minutes to become the player with the most minutes played in NBA games during the regular season and playoffs. LeBron James contracts Here&#8217;s a breakdown of LeBron James&#8217; contracts and earnings throughout his NBA career:  Year Team Salary    2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers $47,607,350  2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers $44,474,988  2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers $41,180,544  2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers $39,219,566  2019/20 Los Angeles Lakers $37,436,858 ($37,678,600*)  2018/19 Los Angeles Lakers $35,654,150 ($36,475,929*)  2017/18 Cleveland Cavaliers $33,285,709 ($35,030,744*)  2016/17 Cleveland Cavaliers $30,963,450 ($33,119,038*)  2015/16 Cleveland Cavaliers $22,970,500 ($24,814,681*)  2014/15 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,644,400 ($22,329,434*)  2013/14 Miami Heat $19,067,500 ($21,051,220*)  2012/13 Miami Heat $17,545,000 ($19,710,161*)  2011/12 Miami Heat $16,022,500 ($18,299,290*)  2010/11 Miami Heat $14,500,000 ($17,149,801*)  2009/10 Cleveland Cavaliers $15,779,912 ($18,860,203*)  2008/09 Cleveland Cavaliers $14,410,581 ($16,977,833*)  2007/08 Cleveland Cavaliers $13,041,250 ($16,136,130*)  2006/07 Cleveland Cavaliers $5,828,090 ($7,404,948*)  2005/06 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,621,800 ($6,125,892*)  2004/05 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,320,360 ($5,871,248*)  2003/04 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,018,920 ($5,639,986*)   &nbsp; LeBron James&#8217; NBA career stats Regular season games played &#8211; 1467 Regular season points per game &#8211; 27.1 Regular season rebounds per game &#8211; 7.5 Regular season assists per game &#8211; 7.3 Playoff games played &#8211; 282 Postseason points per game &#8211; 28.5 Postseason rebounds per game &#8211; 9 Postseason assists per game &#8211; 7.2 LeBron James&#8217; investments and endorsements Some of the biggest brands endorsed by LeBron James are as follows: Nike McDonald&#8217;s Blaze Pizza Beats Electronics Sprite Upper Deck State Farm Insurance Audemars Piguet Dunkin&#8217; Donuts Samsung Kia Verizon Intel Lobos 1707 LeBron James has made some very smart investments over the years, which have helped him substantially. Two of James&#8217; most important investments are Blaze Pizza and the English soccer club, Liverpool F.C. LeBron James&#8217; achievements and awards 4Ã— NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4Ã— NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4Ã— NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) 19Ã— NBA All-Star (2005â€“2023) 3Ã— NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018) 13Ã— All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008â€“2018, 2020) 3Ã— All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2007, 2021) 3Ã— All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2022, 2023) 5Ã— NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009â€“2013) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014) NBA Rookie of the Year (2004) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004) NBA scoring champion (2008) NBA assists leader (2020) NBA 75th Anniversary Team AP Athlete of the Decade (the 2010s) 4Ã— AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020) 3Ã— Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020) USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012) 2Ã— National high school player of the year (2002, 2003) McDonald&#8217;s All-American Game MVP (2003) 2Ã— First-team Parade All-American (2002, 2003) 3Ã— Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001â€“2003) 3x USA Today All-USA First Team (2001-2003) No. 23 retired by St. Vincentâ€“St. Mary LeBron James&#8217; charity and foundation Some of the biggest donations made by LeBron James are to the charities: After-school All-Stars Mohammed Ali: A Force for Change Boys and Girls Club of America Children&#8217;s Defence Fund ONEXONE I Promise School Most of these charities are aimed at helping children and the younger generation. King James is dedicated to providing the youth of America, especially those at risk, the opportunity required to prosper in life with his &#8216;I Promise&#8217; initiative. LeBron James&#8217; rings Over his illustrious 20-year career (and counting), James has won four NBA championships. He has led three different franchises &#8211; the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Los Angeles Lakers &#8211; to NBA titles. James&#8217; first title came in 2012 with the Heat, when he won his first Finals MVP award, followed by a second consecutive title in 2013. After returning to Cleveland in 2014, James delivered on his promise to bring the city its first major sports championship in over 50 years. In 2016, James powered the Cavaliers back from a daunting 3-1 deficit against the record-setting Golden State Warriors in the Finals. James won his 4th championship and NBA Finals MVP award in 2020, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship against his former side, the Miami Heat. LeBron James&#8217; shoe deals LeBron James signed a huge deal with Nike even before he entered the NBA. As James&#8217; superstardom rose, he became one of the most important faces of the brand, with his line of signature shoes, which is in its 20th version now. The four-time NBA MVP signed a lifetime deal with Nike in 2015 for an undisclosed fee. LeBron James&#8217; house LeBron James has reiterated multiple times that he does not spend his hard-earned money without reason. Former teammate Dwyane Wade once revealed that James is one of the cheapest players in the league despite being one of the richest. However, James knows how to spend his fortune in style. And when it comes to where he lives, the King does not compromise. According to reports, LeBron owns multiple properties in California, Ohio, and Miami, that are worth a combined estimated value of $100 million. LeBron James&#8217; car collection LeBron James is known for having an extensive collection of cars, estimated to be worth over $2 million. Some of the standouts include a Chevy Camaro SS, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, and the Dodge Challenger SRT 392. He also owns a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, a 720-horsepower V12 supercar. Another notable element of his collection is a Mercedes luxury sedan, the Maybach S650, worth around $200,000. Notably, after teaming up with Shaquille O&#8217;Neal in Cleveland, Shaq gifted LeBron a Rolls Royce Phantom for his 25th birthday. The luxury car goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and is valued at around $505,000. LeBron James&#8217; controversial moments LeBron James has not had any major controversies so far. However, there have been a few questionable moments in his career. James was the centerpiece of controversy during his high school career for accepting gifts. Then his infamous move to the Miami Heat in 2010, announced on national television, stirred up a lot of controversy. James, who is very vocal about his political beliefs, was criticized for his association with Nike because of the brand&#8217;s political stance. Also, his comments on America after Brittney Griner&#8217;s detainment in Russia sparked some controversy. Will LeBron James retire? LeBron James, 39, is currently playing his 21st NBA season in the NBA. The future Hall of Famer is still playing at the highest level, but he is definitely at the tail end of his career. However, the Lakers icon will not retire after the 2023-24 season as he has multiple times opened up about his desire to play alongside his son Bronny James in the league. Bronny will be eligible to declare for the NBA draft next year. So there is a high chance that James may continue playing in the league until his son enters the NBA. LeBron James&#8217; social media accounts  Instagram @kingjames  Twitter @KingJames  Facebook @LeBron James  Website https://www.lebronjames.com/  &nbsp;  Full Name LeBron Raymone James Sr.  Popular Name LeBron James  Birth Date December 30, 1984  Birth Place Akron, Ohio  Height 6&#8242; 9&#8243; (2.06 m)  Weight 250 lbs  Parents Gloria James  Siblings None  Nationality American  Ethnicity African American  Net Worth $1 Billion  Salary $97.1 Million  Spouse Savannah James  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Children Three  Profession Basketball player  Team Los Angeles Lakers

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Shaquille O'Neal

Who is Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Before breaking rims and shattering backboards became rather routine, the NBA rarely saw a phenomenon quite like Shaquille O&#8217;Neal. During his 19-year-long career, O&#8217;Neal built a reputation around his physical dominance on the court. Standing at 7&#8217;1&#8243; tall and weighing over 300 pounds during his prime, he was notoriously unguardable. With 4 NBA championships, an MVP award, 15 All-Star selections, and over 28,000 career points, he is noted to be one of basketball&#8217;s most influential big men ever. He ventured into music, entrepreneurship, and entertainment after basketball, which only furthered his worldwide fame. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s early life Shaquille O&#8217;Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O&#8217;Neal and Joe Toney. He did not know of his biological father, Joe Toney, who was imprisoned for drug possession when Shaq was very young. Lucille, his mother, then married a military drill sergeant &#8211; Phillip A. Harrison, who played a big role in Shaq&#8217;s childhood. Shaq has three siblings, Ayesha, Jamal, and Lateefah O&#8217;Neal. Ayesha battled with cancer and passed away in 2019. While O&#8217;Neal became a national sensation because of his dominance on the court, his larger-than-life personality and humor made him a popular figure around the world. When he first entered the league, Shaq was not confident with the media. However, he understood its importance and worked on his skills, which helped in ways not many could have imagined. Shaq studied business at Louisiana State University and played college basketball for the Tigers. His parents were adamant he should complete his college education before testing the league. Be that as it may, as coach Dale Brown was concerned O&#8217;Neal could end up with a career-ending injury due to the hard fouls he had been enduring in college games, he suggested O&#8217;Neal should declare for the NBA draft. After three years of college, Shaq declared for the NBA draft and theÂ Orlando Magic drafted him as the #1 pick in 1992. He got the go-ahead for this as he promised his mother that he would return to finish his degree. Shaq then kept his promise by completing his bachelor&#8217;s degree in 2000 while still playing in the NBA. As O&#8217;Neal felt disrespected when he was ignoredÂ during business meetings by his associates, he obtained an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005 to prove he has what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. His mother came to himÂ with tears of joy after his MBA and motivated him to go further. Then, in 2012, Shaq earned his doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership, specializing in human resource development from Barry University. Shaquille O Neal&#8217;s wife and children Shaquille O&#8217;Neal has six children. In 1996, he and his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh welcomed their first child, Taahirah O&#8217;Neal. He then married Shaunie Henderson in 2002. Shaunie is a reality TV star and one of the executive producers of the Basketball Wives TV series. She had a son, Myles, from a previous relationship. O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie then had four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie separated in 2011 after nine years of marriage. She then tied the knot with Pastor Keion Henderson in 2022. Shaq has not re-married since his divorce. Among his children, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah are following in their father&#8217;s footsteps in pursuing basketball. At 17, Me&#8217;arah is already growing at a rapid pace and has all the markings of a great player. She recently committed to play college basketball for the Florida Gators, snubbing her father&#8217;s alma mater, LSU. The four-star prospect is ranked No. 33 for the Class of 2024. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s net worth 2024 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal signed a 7-year $120 million contract when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. It was one of the biggest deals at the time. Throughout his storied career, he went on to earn nearly $290 million in NBA salary and over $200 million in endorsements. Former professional basketball player/author Shaquille O&#8217;Neal speaks on stage during LIVE from the NYPL: Shaquille O&#8217;Neal held at the New York Public Library &#8211; Stephen A. Schwartzman Building in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images) With a knack for business, the 4x NBA champion has also built an empire. He owns a total of 50 brands in different industries. As of January 2024, Shaq has amassed a net worth of $400 million. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s NBA career timeline Shaquille O&#8217;Neal played in the NBA for six teams throughout his 19-year career. He took the league by storm as a rookie. In his fourth NBA season, O&#8217;Neal led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. Shaq then joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, the same year the Lakers acquired a young Kobe BryantÂ on draft day. Shaq and the Lakers struggled initially. However, the addition of head coach Phil Jackson changed everything. He then led the Lakers to a three-peat (2000-2002). Shaq won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions and also won the 2000 NBA MVP. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is surrounded by media after the Lakers win the NBA Championship in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 12, 2002. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) In 2004, O&#8217;Neal took his talents to South Beach and helped the Miami Heat win the NBA Championship in 2006. However, Shaq was no longer at his prime and suffered multiple nagging injuries. From 2007 to 11, he played for three teams and announced his retirement while playing for the Boston Celtics in 2011, when he was 39. During his career, basketball rims and backboards were not safe. Shaq has broken a whopping 19 rims with his powerful slams. In 2017, O&#8217;Neal posted a picture of a sculpture made of all 19 rims he had broken and called it &#8216;Broken Rim Tree.&#8217; Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts Here&#8217;s a breakdown of Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts and earnings throughout his NBA career:  Year Team Salary Career Earnings  1992-93 Orlando Magic $3,000,000 $3,000,000  1993-94 Orlando Magic $3,900,000 $3,900,000  1994-95 Orlando Magic $4,800,000 $4,800,000  1995-96 Orlando Magic $5,700,000 $5,700,000  1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers $10,714,000 $10,714,000  1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers $12,857,143 $12,857,143  1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers $9,146,341 $9,146,341  1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers $17,142,858 $17,142,858  2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers $19,285,715 $19,285,715  2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers $21,428,572 $21,428,572  2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers $23,571,429 $23,571,429  2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers $24,749,999 $24,749,999  2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers $27,696,430 $27,696,430  2005-06 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2006-07 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2007-08 Phoenix Suns $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2008-09 Phoenix Suns $21,000,000 $21,000,000  2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2010-11 Boston Celtics $1,352,181 $1,352,181  Approximate Earnings $286,344,668 $286,344,668   Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s endorsements and investments Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most successful former athletes turned businessman. Big Diesel owns a total of 50 brands in different industries, with over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes. Even though he has been retired for over a decade now, Shaq still endorses 30 companies. O&#8217;Neal was a part owner of a whopping 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants. He is the proud owner of franchises such as Krispy Kreme, Papa John&#8217;s Pizza, Auntie Anne&#8217;s Pretzel, Car Wash, and 24-Hour Fitness. Additionally, he owns 9 Papa John&#8217;s Pizza restaurants. Shaq also invested in companies like Apple, PepsiCo, Google, and General Electric. His investment in Google helped him massively increaseÂ his net worth. O&#8217;Neal is also aÂ shareholder of the Authentic Brands Group which owns JCPenney and Forever 21. The group has the right to royalty of legends like Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and Marilyn Monroe. Being the second-highest shareholder, Shaq too owns a percentage of the legends&#8217; royalties. Even though Shaq has made some very smart investments that helped him build his business empire, he has also missed out on some huge opportunities, including investing in Starbucks. He opted not toÂ invest in the chain of coffeehousesÂ because of an interesting reason. Around the court, Shaq was once a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings, but he recently sold his shares. However, he is still open to being an owner in the NBA and expressed hisÂ desire to buy stakes at his former team the Orlando Magic. Shaquille Oâ€™Neal&#8217;s NBA career statsÂ  Regular season games played &#8211; 1207 Regular season points per game &#8211; 23.7 Regular season rebounds per game &#8211; 10.9 Regular season assists per game &#8211; 2.5 Playoff games played &#8211; 216 Postseason points per game &#8211; 24.3 Postseason rebounds per game &#8211; 11.6 Postseason assists per game &#8211; 2.7 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Awards and achievements 4x NBA champion (2000, 2002, 2006) 3xNBA Finals MVP (2000, 2002) NBA Most Valuable Player (2000) 15x NBA All-Star (1993, 1998, 2000, 2007, 2009) 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009) 8x All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000, 2006) 2x NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000) 2x All-NBA Second Team (1995, 1999) 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003) 4x All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996, 1997, 2009) NBA Rookie of the Year (1993) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993) Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Records Shaquille O&#8217;Neal finished his NBA career with 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the regular season. He sits at #8 on the total points scored (28,596) list, #15 on the total rebounds (13,099) list, and #8 on the total blocks (2,732) list. Interestingly, he is also third all-time in total free throw attempts with 11,252 because of the opponents&#8217; Hack-a-Shaq strategy to stop him. O&#8217;Neal and Michael Jordan are the only players to ever win three straight NBA Finals MVP awards. The Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation, charity work and philanthropy Shaquille O&#8217;Neal gives back to the community via various means, including his Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation. During the festive season, the foundation brings joy to thousands of children nationwide with toys and gifts. The former NBA star supports charities like Be The Match, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America, Centre ValBio, Free The Children, Kids Wish Network, PeyBack Foundation, and Phoenix House. Additionally, in partnership with Microsoft Corporation, he contributed $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of America to create technology centers in clubs nationwide. In October 2023, he opened aÂ fifth Comebaq Court (sporting facility) in Los Angeles. Partnering with Icy Hot for 20 years, they&#8217;ve refurbished courts in Las Vegas,Â Newark,Â Miami,Â andÂ Atlanta. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Music career Shaquille O&#8217;Neal began his music career in 1993 with his debut album Shaq Diesel. Even though the critics panned the album, it was a huge hit with the fans and received platinum certification from the RIAA. He has also worked alongside King of Pop Michael Jackson as a guest rapper on 2 Bad in MJ&#8217;s 1995 album HIStory. Since 2021, O&#8217;Neal has been performing as a DJ under the name DJ DIESEL. He once revealed that he chose to pursue electronic music because it is similar to basketball. On June 7, 2023, O&#8217;Neal released his first single as DJ Diesel from his debut electronic album Gorilla Warfare, titled &#8220;Bang Your Head,&#8221; in collaboration with Hairitage.Â  Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s shoe dealÂ  In 2023, sporting brand Reebok made Shaquille Oâ€™Neal its official President of Basketball, and he now will be bringing his expertise to drive Reebokâ€™s long-term strategy. The partnership, however, dates back to Shaq&#8217;s early days in the NBA. Dating back to the mid-90s, Shaq helped launch Reebok to the grand stage in the world of basketball, attracting players like Allen Iverson, who has joined O&#8217;Neal as the Vice President of Reebok Basketball. Shaq re-calls one incident that particularly moved him in his history with Reebok. While leaving the arena one day, O&#8217;Neal was approached by a parent, who accused Shaq of overpricing his sneakers. Having been challenged by the woman to make more affordable shoes, Shaq declined his $40 million five-year contract with Reebok. He went on to collaborate with Walmart, releasing a shoe priced under $30. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s house Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s massive houses are fit for a giant of his size. The Lakers icon&#8217;s 35,000-square-foot lakefront estate sits on 3 acres of land in a gated community outside Orlando. It has 12 bedrooms and 11 full bathrooms. The foyer features a sweeping double staircase and 35-foot ceilings. The property boasts a 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court, a 17-plus car showroom-style garage, a home theater, and a giant Superman-themed bed. The mansion, after 26 years of ownership by the big man, was put up for sale in 2019 for a whopping $21.9 million. He had bought this estate in 1993 for a comparatively paltry $4million. On top of this, Shaq also has mansions in Dallas and Atlanta. His house in Atlanta rests on a massive 14.3-acre property, which he bought back in 2016 for $1.15 million. Shaq&#8217;s other French-style home in Dallas, purchased in 2022, was listed at $1,225,000 at the time of purchase. Â Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s rings Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most decorated players in NBA history, winning 4 championship rings over his career. He laid hands on his first title in 2000 as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. He would go on to win two more consecutive championships in 2001 and 2002, forming a dominant duo with Kobe Bryant at the Lakers. Shaq, however, earned his 4th and final ring with the Miami Heat in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the NBA Finals. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s car and bike collectionÂ  Shaq is a huge car enthusiast and owns over 30 vehicles, including many luxury and sports cars. His Rolls-Royce Phantom is customized with a Superman logo on the grille. Notably, he also gifted one to LeBron James while the two were together at the Cavaliers. Another notable element of Shaqâ€™s collection is his Lamborghini Gallardo with a V10 engine and a top speed of over 200 mph.Â  Shaq also owns a Ford F-650 XL, a massive pickup truck that he has also customized with his Superman logo. Other cars in his collection include the Cadillac Escalade in custom colors purple and yellow. And also has a Buick Lucerne that he especially modified to fit his 7&#8217;1&#8243; frame. Apart from a myriad of cars, Shaq also possesses a custom 14-foot Orange County Chopper motorbike in black and chrome finish.Â  How to contact Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Facebook,Â Instagram,Â Twitter,Â Website,Â YouTube  Full Name Shaquille Oâ€™Neal  Popular Name Shaq, Shaq Diesel, Big Diesel, The Big Aristotle  Birth Date March 6th, 1972  Birth Place Newark, New Jersey, U.S.  AgeÂ  51 years  HeightÂ  7 foot 1 inches (2.16 m)  WeightÂ  351 Lbs (159.2 Kg)  Parents Lucille Oâ€™Neal and Joe Toney  Siblings Ayesha Oâ€™Neal, Jamal Oâ€™Neal, Lateefah Oâ€™Neal  Nationality U.S. Citizen  Ethnicity African-American  Net Worth $400 Million  Salary N/A  Spouse N/A  Relationship/Marital Status Divorced  Children 6 (Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah Oâ€™Neal)  Profession Former NBA Player  Team 1992â€“1996 (Orlando Magic) 1996â€“2004 (Los Angeles Lakers) 2004â€“2008 (Miami Heat) 2008â€“2009 (Phoenix Suns) 2009â€“2010 (Cleveland Cavaliers) 2010â€“2011 (Boston Celtics)  Rings 4

“Take Them Little A** Shorts Off!”: Shaquille O’Neal Rips Social Media Star in Front of Thousands at NFL Super Bowl LVII

Shaquille O’Neal trolls YouTuber on camera