Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal go back to the days the latter was a standout college athlete going into the draft. And their mothers are close too. Not surprisingly, Christine Johnson and Lucille O’Neal run into their friend’s son too. Shaq’s mom can testify that everyone’s encounter with Earvin “Magic” Johnson will open with a sweet hug and his personal nickname for her. When Christine appeared on Raising Fame, very early into the episode Dr. Lucille O’Neal credited her for how Magic treats people.

Lucille spoke about the 5x NBA champion’s respectful nature to Christine and Sonya Curry on the Raising Fame podcast, “What I love about Earvin is how he spreads his gift to the world. And he does a lot of things that human people should be doing. He does it without an argument and he just loves to give and he just has a giving heart.” 

The example she gave that illustrates Magic’s ‘giving heart’ is small but meaningful. “I remember when I saw him the last time, all he did was open his arms and say ‘Hey Mama Lucille!’ That’s what he called me, ‘Mama Lucille.’ I could be anywhere and I see him and he never forget me.”

Shaq’s mom expressed, “I think that has a lot to do with how you raise them to have respect and he respects people,” to Christine. Fully earning the bragging rights, she revealed that this was one of the most important lessons she told her children. “Now I respect you, but you got to respect me.”

Christine’s teaching shows clearly in Magic. And there’s a lot more Lucille is grateful to her and her son for.

Shaq’s mom also treats Magic Johnson like her son

In the days leading up to his debut with the Orlando Magic, Shaq was getting an orientation into the NBA by a freshly retired Magic Johnson. Over the years, Johnson would become an irreplaceable mentor to O’Neal both on and off the court. You could credit Magic for O’Neal being the multipreneur he is today.

So Lucille feels quite fond of Magic who calls her Mama too. And she in turn calls him ‘Earvin,’ or his full name to because it felt odd to call him Magic. The same way Christine also chooses not to address her son as Magic and opts for his given name.

Lucille personally thanked Magic on the show for guiding Shaq as well as Steph Curry. “You have poured into our sons more than you know, and we’ve even been watching you and praying for you as well but we [Lucille O’Neal and Sonya Curry] just thank you. It’s important that we say thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The NBA moms community is pretty tight, and it’s our loss they’re so lowkey. Like even Shaq and Charles Barkley didn’t know their moms were friends until their infamous 1999 on-court brawl. Raising Fame is showing that these famous basketball moms are a lot closer than we know.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.