Ice Cube snubbed LeBron James for Shaquille O’Neal on his ultimate 3v3 list? That’s gotta be true love for Big Diesel! But then what was it that made the 55-year-old rapper prevent the release of Shaq’s project with Dr. Dre’s label, Aftermath Entertainment? A move that worked for multiple artists in the industry and could’ve possibly done wonders for Shaquille O’Neal, too. Especially considering the 4x NBA champ’s love for music. Turns out it was the very same fondness for O’Neal that made Ice Cube pull the plug on this opportunity.

This surprising bit of history unfolded during a recent episode of the Big Podcast featuring Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. “I had a chance to work with him (Ice Cube), and I had a song that’s produced by Dre. Dre did the beat. And I came, and your father heard it,” the former LA Lakers star told Jackson Jr. Sounds like a dream collaboration in the making, but things quickly took a turn when Ice Cube heard the hook.

“In the hook… I was saying, that’s gangster. Your father was like, ‘We’re not doing that.’ And I’m trying to convince him… I’m like, please. He like, ‘no, we’re not doing that,'” Shaq explained, with co-host Adam Lefkoe jumping in to quote Cube’s words: “He was like, ‘You’re a Laker. You’re not gangster.'”

If you’re scratching your head wondering why Cube would step in, it’s worth noting he was the one who arranged for Shaquille O’Neal to work with Dr. Dre in the first place. The rapper later explained his reasoning in a previous appearance on the podcast. “Shaq is a dope MC, but I just felt the record was off-brand for him because, to me, he’s more than just gangsta.”

Cube believed the 4x NBA champ, already beloved by kids and adults alike, didn’t need a “gangsta” image in L.A. “Why go backward when you’re already forward? You’re already a household name,” he added. Big Diesel, for his part, appreciated the lesson.

“The lesson I learned was to stay true to who you are.” Sometimes, being a true friend means saying no, even when it’s tough. And in this case, Ice Cube’s decision only deepened the respect between the two legends. But then why was it that O’Neal did not play in the Big3 league despite an invitation from Ice Cube?

Shaquille O’Neal revealed the reason for not playing at Ice Cube’s 3×3 league

Shaq’s larger-than-life persona had fans buzzing when he hinted at playing in Ice Cube’s Big3 league. It all started during a podcast with former Miami Heat star Mario Chalmers, where the 4x NBA champ casually asked if Chalmers believed he could hang in the 3×3 league.

At the time, Chalmers was actively playing in the league, making the moment all the more intriguing. The exchange went viral, and Ice Cube himself extended a public invitation to the 4x NBA champ. But here’s the twist: the former Lakers star never followed up. Why? He revealed the answer directly to Ice Cube on The Big Podcast.

Shaq confessed, “I owe you an apology. Mario Chalmers was on the podcast, and I told him I wanted to join the Big3… I tried to get in the gym, and I ain’t got it no more, dog. I’m gone.”

Shaquille O’Neal explained how he’d been eating right, running, and jumping, even testing his skills at LA Fitness. The result? He joked he looked like “the worst big man ever.” But the fact O’Neal gave his best to make an attempt for an appearance in Big3 speaks volumes about his bond with Ice Cube. No wonder he followed the rapper’s advice of not releasing his track with Dr. Dre.