Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley Faced MMA Icon Michael Jai White’s Wrath After Calling Kyrie Irving an “Idiot” for Controversial Documentary Once

Michael Jai White has never hesitated to question things that do not make sense to him. Some months ago, he called out NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley for calling Kyrie Irving an “idiot.” Dr. Shaq and Barkley were highly disappointed with the anti-Semitic actions of Irving on Twitter. Back in November 2022, Irving came forward to promote an antisemitic documentary. Both NBA legends believed that Irving should be held accountable for his unacceptable actions in society. Back then, they even wanted the NBA to suspend Irving for his hateful actions on social media. However, the NBA chose not to take such severe measures against the basketball player.

MMA practitioner and Hollywood star Michael Jai White were not at all happy with the way the NBA legends approached the issue. He even had a problem with them addressing Irving as an “Idiot.” According to Jai White, Irving has not said anything hateful. The ‘Tyson’ actor went on to say that he contacted some of his friends to learn about the mistake committed by Irving, but none of them was able to give a satisfactory answer. Later, Jai White decided to question the reaction of the NBA legend towards a Dallas Mavericks player.

Michael Jai White questions Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley

Back when Irving promoted the antisemitic documentary through his social media, O’Neal and Barkley felt that he was spreading a hateful message against a race. They both felt that it should not be encouraged in any way. The NBA Legends even went so far as to say that the association should suspend him, as they usually do when players use homophobic slurs.

According to them, every human should be treated equally. Michael Jai White saw the issue in a different light. The 55-year-old felt that Irving had not said anything offensive. In a seven-month-old interview with DJ Vlad, the ‘Blood and Bone’ actor said, “I was calling all kinds of friends I’m like, ‘Yeah, but what did he say? Well, he posted this thing about this book that supposed to be anti-Semitic and I’m like, well, but I couldn’t find what he said.”

Talking further on the matter, Jai White added, “I was going what am I missing because you know Charles Barkley and these folks angry about him and that started. I’m like, ‘I must be missing something because Charles Barkley called this man an idiot.” After listening to Jai White, the interviewer added. “Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, I think they both kind of called him.” To which the Hollywood star replied, “wait wait, because you know I’m a big fan of who Shaq is. So I was like, wait I must be missing something because if they didn’t see the documentary. I’m like, what did this guy say?”

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Michael Jai White felt that Irving had not said anything offensive to treat him badly. However, Barkley and Dr. Shaq pointed out that Irving is someone with a huge fan following on Twitter. Hence, when he says or does something on the social media platform, he should be extra careful, as there are millions who are ready to listen to him.

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