“Love you, Nephew,” Shaunie Henderson wrote on IG for Gary Payton II when he had a chance to play with the Golden State Warriors. The O’Neal and Payton families have always been quite close, and that remains the same to this day. Shaquille O’Neal‘s kids call Gary Payton Sr. their uncle. And as the two families reunited for the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, Shareef O’Neal’s uncle was quick to call him out for one thing.

It’s the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, and clearly, everyone is bringing their best fashion. So did The Glove! The 9× NBA All-Star looked dapper in a full Gucci fit. He wore a mustard-hued T-shirt with the Gucci monograms emblazoned on it and paired it with jeans from the same fashion giant. And for the kicks, it was another marvelous creation from Gucci, a mustard-colored shoe featuring the same monogram. To describe his fit in one word, it’s classic!

While the players heated up the game with their skills on the court, Payton Sr. was raising the bar on the fashion front. He also reunited with the 4× NBA champ and his son, Shareef. However, Payton Sr. wasn’t too impressed with Shareef and even told him to step up his game. While the 25-year-old didn’t share any snaps of himself, he did post a glimpse of his uncle’s look and even relayed their conversation to Payton Sr.’s sons, Payton II and Julian Payton.

“Unc ain’t playin today! Told me step my swag up @garydwayne @j_u_i_u_2,” Shareef captioned the IG story. Shareef shares a great friendship with both Payton II and Julian. Payton II once even teamed up with Shareef and Shaqir to play together on the same team at the Drew League. 

The friendship between O’Neal and Payton Sr. has extended to their kids as well. Even O’Neal’s ex-wife shared a great relationship with Payton Sr.’s ex-wife, Monique James. But are the two families blood related?

Are Shaquille O’Neal and Gary Payton Sr. blood related? 

It was the Los Angeles Lakers legend who called The Glove to unite with him at the Miami Heat in hopes of winning a championship. The two did win a title. No, the two families are not blood-related, but they have always considered each other more than that.

That’s why Shaunie was thrilled when Payton II, whom she considers her nephew, got the chance to play for the Warriors. After years of waiting in the wings, this was his moment to shine, after all. His journey from the G League, after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, to making it to the NBA is truly inspiring.

Last year, in the Warriors’ 123-112 win against the Washington Wizards, Payton II had 13 points and a thunderous dunk to top it off. And Shaqir, who was closely following his game, shared that moment on his IG story to encourage the veteran player. Considering their deep bond, it’s natural for fans to mistake them as related. But it’s always the close ties that matter! Getting back to Shareef, now that he has gotten advice from his uncle, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to elevate his style.