IT’S difficult to know what was more awkward for Shaquille O’Neal.
Making an incredible gaffe over the Detroit Pistons live on Inside The NBA. Being called out for it by colleague Candace Parker. Or the amazing confession Shaq then made!
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The Los Angeles Lakers legend was having a lively disagreement with co-host Adam Lefkoe about just how good the Pistons are.
Shaq initially played down Detroit’s hot streak, even saying they “ain’t winning no f***ing championship. Stop it”.
And ironically it was when he started praising the Pistons that his troubles began.
The four-time NBA winner said: “Cade Cunningham — a great player now, he plays at his own pace.
“Anybody that can consistently play at their own pace and put up numbers is a great player.
“I like the way he’s playing. I like what Chauncey’s doing. Those guys play hard.”
That’s when WNBA icon Parker just had to intervene!
Shaq was clearly referring to Chauncey Billups.
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And it’s true that Billups is an all-time great for the Pistons, having spent seven years there in two spells as a player.
But he’s never been Detroit’s coach – and instead is in charge of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Parker responded to Shaq’s error by saying: “No, I can’t let this go. Who’s doing it? You said Chauncey?”
And that’s when it got worse for Shaq…
He replied: “Chauncey’s the coach, right?”
Vince Carter stepped in to alert the 53-year old that in fact it’s J.B. Bickerstaff who is Detroit’s head coach – a position he took last July.
Now was the time for Shaq to introduce his massive confession.
He said: “First of all, I don’t watch Detroit. How about that, boo-boo?”
And addressing his Billups balls-up, he added: “I messed up. I made a mistake.”
Full marks for honesty!
It all came after Lefkoe insisted the Pistons were a major reason NBA remains exciting.
Shaq said: “Bro, stop it, because they are boring too.”
And when Lefkoe pointed out Detroit had won seven games in a row, the former center doubled down by exclaiming: “Whoopie freaking do!”
Shaq also didn’t do well when it came to getting his stats right.
He suggested the Pistons had a record of “four games under 500”.
But Lefkoe checked on his phone and crowed: “They’re six games over 500!”
