Shaq Talk

Will He or Won't He Wrestle?

Shaq says he'll be at WrestleMania 28

The rumor that Shaquille O'Neal would wrestle Big Show on April 1 at this year's WrestleMania 28 has been circulated, debunked, re-circulated and shot down again over the past three months. This weekend, however, Shaq himself again hinted that he will take to the mat at the Miami event, declaring to the Miami Herald that he has plans to be there.

This is confusing since Wrestling World Entertainment (WWE) immediately responded by countering Shaq and saying there would be no Shaq attacks at this year's event. Who's bluffing? Is the WWE simply trying keep the Diesel a big secret until the moment he's revealed.

Shaq knows better than to get fans hyped about something he'll have no participation in, so I'm going to believe his boast, especially since plugged-in sports websites like SBNation are confirming his presence.

If he shows up but doesn't wrestle, it will be a huge disappointment. Although in January Shaq told media he was negotiating an actual match with Big Show, he did not give any such specifics this weekend. The cheesy WWE has a history of pairing athletes with popular wrestlers to appease Mania crowds. Why should this year be any different? To date no other athlete has been announced. So, my guess is Shaq will be in a ring with the humongous Big Show before the event is over.

Shaq is beloved by WWE and formerly hosted an episode of WWE Raw. Aside from The Rock choosing this event to return to the wrestling arena, Shaq will be the main reason for watching.

Shaq revives rivalry with Charles Barkley in All-Star contest.

Shaq and buddy Chuck take on GM roles for rookie exhibition

Friday marked the start of the 2012 All-Stars weekend in Orlando, with the Rising Stars game Friday night being the must-see event of the day. Shaquille O'Neal, former L.A. Laker and former Orlando Magic player, served as general manager for one team, while his buddy Charles Barkley managed the other.

Shaq used his NBA IQ to draft the most flamboyant first-year and second-year players for his team, including sensational dunkmaster Blake Griffin and popular point guards Jeremy Lin, Rick Rubio, Kimba Walker, and Norris Cole. While Shaq's team looked better than Barkley's on paper, the first half found Shaq's players easily trailing their opponents by as many as 15 points before Cole led a resurgence.

At half time, Shaq's men were behind 77 to 65.

Surprisingly, Lin was missing in action for much of the game.

It was nice to see Shaq, arguably one of the most dominant centers to ever play basketball, show his respect and encouragement to the up-and-comers as if he's passing on the torch.

Shaq spent downtime in the televised game hugging the players, joking with them, smiling like a papa bear when they did a spectacular dunk or alley oop, and somehow ending up with a cheerleader on his lap (see photo).

In desperation in the fourth quarter, Shaq tried to goad Blake Griffin into performing more by telling him a player on Barkley's team had more points.

"Eight points? That's all you got," Shaq said to Griffin. "Damarcus Cousins has 15. That's all I'm sayin'."

The exhibition contest between Shaq's squad and Barkley's squad recalled the 1990s rivalry between the former NBA players, who famously got into a fight in November 1999 during a Lakers-Rockets game.

So, how successful were Shaq's GM skills?

1. He drafted way too many point guards resulting in a short, though more dynamic team.

2. His team ultimately lost by 13, with a final score of 146 to 133.

Shaq soon to be a team boss?

"Maybe, Shaq just wants to be a pretend figurehead team owner with dubious power like Jay-Z with the New Jersey Nets."

Retired NBA great Shaquille O’Neal , who hails from Newark, may be close to realizing his dream of becoming an NBA owner. Or rather partial owner. According to media reports, Shaq is teaming with Newark, New Jersey mayor (and hottie) Cory Booker to situate an NBA team there.

Does Shaq have what it takes to be a mastermind behind the athletics? I’m thinking “no.” The sensitive and emotive Shaq is intrinsically skilled in presenting drama and show, while owners must be the emotionless brains behind the show. Ownership is cutthroat work, involving treating players like chess pieces, and looking beyond talent loyalty to see the best moves, trades and changes for the future. Shaq strikes me as more of a checkers player than a ruthless chess maestro.

Owners do need to be inventive and able to see ahead of current trends to project the next big formula for a winning team. While Shaq is inventive, I’m not sure how forward-thinking he is. Shaq has only done well in business ventures by promoting himself as the talent behind the business. He’s yet to come up with a big idea. Rapping Shaq? Nope. Comedy Shaq? Not really. ? Pitchman Shaq? Yeah, that works, but only because he’s told where to stand in front of camera and what to say.

Sure, his stint as a commentator and sports show host is going well because it’s spontaneous and informal. Even when you watch the show, however, you have to admit Shaq doesn’t strike you as a person with brains and cunning. I mean, on one episode, it appeared he couldn’t even count. (See below.)

Now, Michael Jordan? That guy was and is cunning. He is also cutthroat -- but even that isn’t making him a great boss in the Charlotte Bobcats office.

Maybe, Shaq just wants to be a pretend figurehead team owner with dubious power like Jay-Z with the New Jersey Nets. That might work.

Shaq has new line of eyeglasses.

Shaq is shady. No, I'm not talking about his marital indiscretions; I'm talking about his new business venture. Former NBA player and businessman Shaquille O'Neal recently launched a new line of sunglasses called "Dunkman."

The insignia for the brand features a basketball player suspended in mid-leap at the goal, slamming a basketball through the net.

The sunglasses themselves come in a variety of designs and colors; they are a result of a fashion partnership between Shaq and the designing company Forever K. Michael.

Conceived as sports eyewear, Dunkman glasses can be worn on the street or on the court. Surprisingly, they are moderately priced, at roughy $35 a pair.

Styles include the following models, which can be bought in stores or online at Dunkman.com:

ABX Edge
Zone 1
Avalanche
DMKM
Crossover
Tower 3000

I found out about these sunglasses this week when a radio station -- v103 -- decided to give a pair away to a lucky listener. (You can even sign up to win a pair online)

The few promotions I've seen in magazines and on the web feature Shaq modeling white and black pairs of glasses. He is no model, however, and if he wants this brand to succeed, I hope he hands off marketing duties to someone more ... photogenic.

Then again, people buy designer wares for the attachment they have to celebrities. Shaq's baskbetball history and personality are likely to be the only thing that will make these glasses desirable.

I'm not sure why Shaq and company decided to launch this accessory during the late fall/winter season as opposed to the summer. Maybe they are appealing to people who fight the glare of the sun ....bouncing off snow? Good luck, Shaq.

Shaq Teases Fans with Comedy Channel on YouTube

New Comedy Channel to showcase upcoming Shaq stunts and skits

This week, Shaq got on his official Twitter to hawk his new comedy channel on YouTube, which has been sitting rather dormant for the last six weeks. Those hungering for Shaq's humor and antics may be stoked to find the basketball great has launched the so-called “Comedy Shaq” channel, where subscribers will allegedly get a steady buffet of Shaq skits, stunts, an internet shows.

Right now, however, fans are getting nothing.

Of the four videos uploaded thus far, Shaq is only featured in one -- although it is rather chuckle-worthy.

Another video merely references Shaq while promoting “Shaq All-Star Comedy Jam New Years Eve,” a recent stage event that showcased comedians such as D.L. Hughley. The event might a glimpse of Shaq’s intentions to pursue comedy as a commercial venture.

Established in late November, the channel appears to be a section where Shaq will corral videos of funny things he’s done from a variety of sources as well as brand-new skits. The YouTube channel also serves as a destination for Shaq to comment on what he finds funny in the word of viral video. All this fits in line with YouTube's new attempts to offer original celebrity content.

Shaq Video:

The only video showcasing Shaq was uploaded six weeks ago and features him along with a lookalike puppet counting down the funniest YouTube videos – yes, he includes one of his own music videos.

I don’t know when Shaq learned the skill of ventriloquism, but I swear he voices the puppet without quivering his mouth. At one point the puppet raps while the human Shaq sings backup. Hilarious. They also bicker a bit, prompting Shaq to punch the puppet in the head.

Check it out below.

I'm hoping Shaq doesn't abandon this channel. Comedy is definitely one of his secondary talents. We need more skits and Shaq puppets.

Shaq fan sacrifices dignity and epidermis on a dare

How Many Brain Cells Does it Take to be a Shaq fan?

What would you do for $1,000?

Would you tattoo the face of Charles Barkley kissing an NBA referee on your body? That’s what one dense fan, Emmet Bentle, did for Shaquille O’Neal after the athlete-turned-analyst announced an on-air dare, betting a grand to anyone stupid enough to ink Barkley on skin – with permanent ink.

Dude! Do you know how painful it is to remove or mask a tattoo??

Shaq said before the Miami Heat game Thursday that he’s seen Bentle’s tattoo in an online photo and doesn’t think it looks that good. He even momentarily questioned whether it looked enough like Barkley to warrant payout. Fortunately, before looking like the ultimate cheapskate and jerk, Shaq said he would be flying to Santa Barbara, Calif. to meet his simpleton fan and indeed hand over the cash.

Then, Shaq did the unthinkable. He set the fan up for even more disgrace: Shaq made a second dare, offering an additional $1,000 if the fan got tattoos of all four TNT “Inside the NBA” analysts on his back!

O...K. Why would anyone want Shaq’s face on their back...especially a guy? Can you even imagine how this would ruin the mood in the boudoir if this guy gets lucky on a date?

He’s clowning you, man. Don’t do it! (Sadly, I have seen Bentle talk on TV and he’s dumb enough to do this).

Bentle, by the way, is a bartender, so I’m guessing he was severely under the influence when he decided to mark himself as Shaq’s pawn for life.

Shaq Shines in New TV Job

Basketball star adds his colorful commentary to sports show

When Shaquille O’Neal retired in June 2011, he created a vacuum in sports -- the big, lovable jester was gone. Six months after his retirement, however, Shaq has returned to entertaining basketball fans -- this time, as a commentator, not a center.

O'Neal began his new job this week as the fourth personality for TNT’s long-running “Inside the NBA.”

The 30-minute sports analysis show runs on a sporadic schedule immediately after any basketball games broadcast on TNT, giving viewers a wrap-up of the finest moments from the games of the day with a little showmanship from the commentators thrown in. O’Neal joins fellow basketball player Charles Barkley as a regular on the show.

With a mix of humor, pranks, skits and ranting to pepper the sports analysis, this is the perfect environment for Shaq “The Diesel,” known to many as an overgrown goofball inside the locker room and out.

On Thursday night’s episode -- his second appearance -- Shaq was seen wearing a pink “Hello Kitty” backpack (Don’t ask.) Later, he sported a fake white beard and hat before dancing with decorations from a Christmas tree. He also sang the “Happy Days” theme song when Knicks player Amare Stoudemire was shown arriving for the Lakers match-up in a Fonz-like black leather jacket and sunglasses. All in all, Shaq’s first week on the job made a memorable impression.

The transition from basketball to retirement to the broadcast desk is nothing rare for superstar athletes. John Salley, Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose and many other former NBA stars have found new careers in television. Before declining with age and becoming a mere bench-riding shadow of himself, O’Neal, a basketball journeyman who spent 19 years in the league, posted 28,596 career points and 13,099 career rebounds. He was also named an NBA All-Star 15 times.

In addition to “Inside the NBA,” Shaq’s TNT gig also includes participating in half-time shows for the network.

Now that Shaq and Barkley are show colleagues, maybe Mr. “I Am Not a Role Model” can persuade Shaq to join his other venture: Weight Watchers. Barkley recently became the first man to be spokesperson for the diet company. Shaq could use a month or two with Weight Watchers, no? Three?