
via Getty
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & Icy Hot unveil the latest “Comebaq Court,” refurbished athletic spaces helping underserved communities get back in the game, in collaboration with Alonzo Mourning at Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Flori on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Icy Hot)

via Getty
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & Icy Hot unveil the latest “Comebaq Court,” refurbished athletic spaces helping underserved communities get back in the game, in collaboration with Alonzo Mourning at Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Flori on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
Shaquille O’Neal was going for the vibe that’s signature to Funny Marco’s interviews when he brought the interviewer to The Big Podcast. He probably didn’t see his free throw skills getting roasted to the pits of Hades’ backyard barbecue. As NBA historians would know, Shaq’s dominance in the lower post was invertly proportionate to his free throw skills. It was so bad, fouling Shaq became like the new Jordan Rules. The YouTuber turned everything into a jab at Shaq’s embarrassing flaw. It wasn’t just him but his entire family that Shaq’s talent from beyond the arc offended.
“It’s been plenty of times you pissed off my uncle,” by missing free throws, Marco told Shaq. “My uncle will fight you… he was rooting for you.” We all were Marco’s uncle.
February 16 1996 season would come pretty close to the times Shaq won his four championships. Orlando was playing against Milwaukee but no one remembers the Bucks’ blowout 121-91 loss. They remember that epic moment with two seconds remaining in the first quarter. O’Neal caught a long pass and shot from the 3-point line. Something that should be immortalized in slow motion when Hollywood finally makes a Big Diesel biopic – the ball bounced off the glass and went through the net when the buzzer sounded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Why is it epic? It’s the only time in 22 attempts across 19 years that Shaq actually makes a three. The rest of the time Marco’s uncle was probably left shaking his TV hoping it was Shaq. So O’Neal sent a message to his uncle, “Tell you uncle to go on his phone and type in G-O-O-G-L-E.” So, “I hit him when I hit him.” If that is a threat or an invite, hard to tell. But Marco didn’t let Shaq’s forget his flaw.
No redemption for Shaq
Shaq has missed 5,317 free throws and has a 52.7% from the arc. But this is the guy who made gas math. He told Marco, “I miss one, I make one.” He calls that 50-50 opportunity. Marco called it imbalanced. He went on to drag it along with Shaq’s game as well.
A little after Shaq shoots his shot (better than a three) with Bobbi Althoff, Marco says Shaq’s approach to women is as bad as his free throw skill. He throws Shaq’s principle in his face, “He just goes in like a free throw,” and it’s a 50-50 chance but Shaq goes in even knowing it will fail.
Sadly O’Neal can’t suit up and redeem himself. He has to live with the jokes and convince himself made one for every missed one.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT