When they call the Lakers arena ‘the house that Shaq and Kobe built,’ they mean it more than just figuratively. Shaquille O’Neal, along with Kobe Bryant and more Los Angeles legends were there when the formerly Staples Center came up. That would be the stage for both to win their first championships, where Shaq played in his prime, Bryant established his entire legacy, both had their jerseys retired and were immortalized in statues. The high points of his career alongside Bryant is why the arena remains dear to him. And why Shaq doesn’t mind it’s now called by another name.

Now Shaquille O’Neal is a sandwich mogul who hosts the Big Chicken family at the Go Big Conference. During that, he caught up with restauranteur and influencer, Shawn P. Walchef. Ahead of the complete interview, Walchef gave a sneak peek at what’s coming, including Shaq naming the favorite venues he performed in both as Big Diesel and DJ Diesel.

“My favourite stadium would be probably Staples Center,” Shaq said. He played for the Lakers from 1996 to 2004, of which, the latter half was in the brand-new Staples Center. In the Lakers’ first season at Staples, Shaq and Kobe led them to their first title in 17 years. Which makes this arena extra special.

“2000 was a special year. I remember when Tim Liowicky and the owners of the Lakers had us do the groundbreaking shovel ceremony to build the Staples Center and it was built really quickly,” he recalled. Franchises collected their representative players from the Lakers, Kings, and Clippers. Shaq and a fresh-faced Kobe joined NHL legend, Luc Robitaille on March 26, 1998, for the groundbreaking ceremony.

O’Neal recalled at that time, “they were saying things like no one has ever won a championship their first year in the building. So the technology was there, a special building and so that was a great year.”

Staples Center did open in 1999, right after the Lakers had a disappointing season. They then brought in former Bulls’ coach, Phil Jackson and the Lakers won the 2000 championship – Shaq and Kobe’s first – thus proving that myth wrong.

Shaq’s attached to his old home

The Lakers retired O’Neal’s and Bryant’s jerseys and honored them with statues in the venue alongside Magic Johnson’s. In 2021 though, they decided to rename Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena. Contrary to what some old fans felt, Shaq was on board with it.

“I’m glad they’re taking the name of the Staples Center down because that was our building….Staples Center belonged to Shaq and Kobe, forever,” O’Neal said at that time.

Even under a different name, it’s referred to as the House that Shaq & Kobe built for bringing its first three championships. Shaq’s often described the thrill of playing in the boisterous Staples Center crowd. He now finds that as a DJ headlining festivals.

So he also told Walchef, his favorite stadium venue is, “Lolapalooza… Was only expecting 5000 people and about 200,000 people showed up.” He’s performed at the festival in 2019 and 2023. Despite performing to thousands since 1992, stadium crowds still find a way to overwhelm Shaq.