Kenny Smith and his eventual loss to Stephen A Smith ended with the TNT crew facing the embarrassment. With five free throw shots each, the ESPN analyst gained a shock victory. As The Jet chose to shoot with his non-dominant hand ‘lefty’. Despite the loss, his TNT co-analyst, Shaquille O’Neal, recently did another free throw contest, this time against a 7x NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Unlike the Rockets legend, Shaq reigned supreme, although in a close contest.

“It’s the moment you didn’t know you’ve been waiting for… me vs @jimmiejohnson in a free-throw contest that’ll determine the Daytona paint scheme!! Who will win, and what design will JJ be rocking? #ad @carvanaracing @legacymotorclub @shaqsfunhouse.”

The Lakers legend added the tweet, after one week of beefing with Johnson. Even though the beef was for promotional purposes, Shaquille O’Neal nearly lost the contest.

Before talking about the contest, which was the first to score five points, let’s talk about the bet on the line. “If I win, I design your car,” stated Shaq. Jimmie Johnson would only accept the bet with one condition in mind. “Only If I win, I get to design what you wear.” Shaquille O’Neal was the first to shoot and did score his first, but after four shots, the score was in Johnson’s favor 2-3. After 7 shots each, the game was settled (5-4), as the 4x NBA champion bettered his career FT average.

In his 19-year career, he would only manage a 52.7% from the charity strip. Meanwhile, in this video, he averaged 71.4%. Because of poor FT shooting in the league, many assumed that’s why Shaquille O’Neal declined the match against Stephen A. Smith. But the Lakers legend had his reasons. “First of all, Stephen A is not big enough for me, I decline. What I propose is four-on-four.”

The four-on-four never materialized, instead; Kenny Smith opted from the Inside crew to face the ESPN analyst. After declining that contest, Shaq took responsibility against Jimmie Johnson.

How Shaquille O’Neal and NASCAR legend ‘beefed’ before the contest

The social media banter led to the battle in the first place. Or one can say to hype the battle, the tweets were made. Either way, it was Shaq who poked the bear first, “Dang, @jimmiejohnson going for another Daytona?! 22 years not enough for you?”

As he jibed at Johnson continued to race after 22 years in the sport. The 49-year-old replied, “You know it, @SHAQ ? I’ve still got the drive. What about you, how’s that jump shot these days?”

Naturally, The Big Aristotle was not going to let it go, and asked Johnson to “Come find me on the court.” That’s when the veteran driver suggested an FT contest. “Haha, I love you’re coming at me, SHAQ! Let’s roll with a free throw comp. Should be easy for you when you’re that close to the rim. Name when and where.” But it proved to be a wrong choice. As Shaquille O’Neal won and even gloated about the bet.

“Jimmie, I got so many ideas, I can already picture the paint scheme, the wheels and I tell you what Jimmie, I will even wear your little one-piece.” Beating the Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion might have been a promotional video. But let’s remember, even Kenny Smith buckled under the pressure.