
via Imago
Credits: Imagn

via Imago
Credits: Imagn
When the Nets sent #15 up to the rafters, you know there was one Jersey native who was watching and going, “I should’ve been there.” That person was Shaquille O’Neal. No, he’s not wishing for the franchise he never played for (and sort of humiliated in his rookie year, in fact) to retire his number. He’s upset he wasn’t part of Vince Carter’s big weekend. Vinsanity had an emotional jersey retirement along with his 48th birthday this weekend. Little did he know when he clocked in at work on Tuesday, a giant kid would be holding a grudge over the non-invite.
TNT Tuesday celebrated Carter’s huge weekend this week with highlights of his emotional moments at the Barclays Center event. However, while the studio applauded him and Adam Lefkoe gushed about Dr J giving a speech, a petty someone across the table picked up a sheet of paper and crumpled it.
The first time he did it didn’t get attention. So Shaq makes more paper noise till the panel looks at him. In response to Carter’s, “Wassup? You okay?” O’Neal dramatically flung the innocent paper in all of this. In case you’re wondering why Shaq’s sulking, he revealed it to Carter. “That’s twice you did that. You ain’t even invite me, bro.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
By twice, Shaq referred to the Raptors retiring Air Canada’s jersey in November 2024. And Shaq was not there either. For two seconds you can tell Carter thought he really hurt Shaq. He tried to say, “You were busy,” – Which Shaq was, he was occupied on Inside the NBA – but O’Neal doubled down, “You didn’t invite me.”
Shaq had to go celebrate with VC twice for his @BrooklynNets jersey retirement and birthday this past weekend 😂🫶 pic.twitter.com/BVhBBeoQD3
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2025
Shaq almost made them think he was going to walk off the set. But Candace Parker caught on to the fact that the big teddy bear was going to hug Carter. Although that was also a mean chokehold which Carter said, “hurts.” You’d think this settles it. But Carter made it worse.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Vince Carter made Shaq’s FOMO worse
The past year for Vince Carter had been one high-flyer welcoming another high-flyer. The iconic Julius “Dr J” Erving welcomed Vince to the Hall of Fame in 2024. This time he made a heartfelt speech for Carter at his second jersey retirement.
Unfortunately, when Shaquille O’Neal found out his idol – the guy whose games his father took him to and is the reason he’s an NBA star – was at Carter’s event, his reaction was to whisper “Damn!”
When the FOMO sunk in, O’Neal took off his glasses to lay the guilt trip thick. “How many times you called me to get the code to my gyms so you could shoot in my gym?” Just when you’d clutch your pearls and think, ‘How could you Vince?’ he says, “None.” That’s because the one who worked out in Shaq’s gym was Tracy McGrady, Carter’s cousin. T-Mac owes Shaq an invitation to his jersey retirement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
To drive up the awkwardness, Candace Parker wished Carter a belated happy birthday. Funnily, he forgot his own birthday in the excitement of the retirement of his jersey. Shaq wasn’t going to let this one slide either. He demanded the birthday boy make the journey to the end of the table so the giant can wish him properly. They met halfway instead and Shaq got a bit handsy with the Vinsane backside. Carter’s “awkward” doesn’t even cover the cringes in the studio.
But at least Shaq now has a standing invite to all of Vince Carter’s big moments.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Did Vince Carter really snub Shaq, or is this just classic Shaq drama for laughs?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
What’s your perspective on:
Did Vince Carter really snub Shaq, or is this just classic Shaq drama for laughs?
Have an interesting take?