If there’s a real-life tough giant-funny guy combination out of a buddy cop movie, it’s Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Epps. They’re hilarious, they talk smack at each other, and hype each other up at the same time. While on Jimmy Kimmel Live! the comedian explained why their dynamic is so fun. And he also revealed the reason why he’s not letting go of this friendship ever. Spoiler alert: it involves Shaq’s generosity and luxury cars.

“Shaq’s my man,” Epps said. And when Jimmy Kimmel suggested he’s the kind of guy who’d gift a Lamborghini to anyone, he doubled down, “I ain’t giving up that… I’m keeping that for myself.” It’s a little vague if he means Shaq or the car.

Shaq and Epps go way back and some of the best bits of their friendship were obvious from the latter featuring on O’Neal’s All-Star Comedy Jam. Earlier this year, O’Neal named Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Mike Epps, Kate Williams, and Corey Holcomb as his all-time favorite comedians on The Big Podcast. Epps knows well his best friend’s on-court rep is far from the gentle giant he knows.

Shaq’s infamous for giving rookies a hard time, pranking teammates, foul ruthlessly, and being merciless when he goes for that dunk. Just ask Raymond Felton. But there are sides of him that Epps loves – Shaq’s generosity and Shaq’s humor.

Epps vouched for O’Neal’s well-known generosity that he’d give a stranger $500 without blinking. That also connects to his next point. “Shaq is a generous dude. Shaq is one of those guys, you can talk about him because most NBA players, athletes, they don’t like you talking about them…But Shaq…he wanna hear it over again.” O’Neal would agree.

Shaquille O’Neal’s best features – his friends

When he explained why he loves comedians like Epps, Shaq said he’s a fan of “dirty, raw jokes that nobody would ever think of.” He does bring that in his lineups for the All-Star Comedy Jam. He also invites comedians on his podcasts and often asks them when a joke goes too far. No joke goes too far for Shaq. He can especially take one on himself.

Epps theorizes that NBA players want to come across as strong and ‘unmessable’ on the court. Shaq is still as intimidating and dominant in the NBA while comedians leave him cracking up. He’ll encourage his comedian friends to joke about him too. For that, Epps loves him.

And not just for getting a potential Lamborghini out of him. That’s still a possibility. After all, O’Neal gifted GAWNE a Rolls Royce. What do you think are Shaq the friend’s best qualities?