“In a week the kitten was the same size as Charles Barkley”: Shaquille O’Neal revealed to Jimmy Kimmel about his pet white tiger named Diesel

NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have never ever missed an opportunity to take the mickey out of the other.

It’s been a long time since Shaq last played in the league. But those of us who were around for his peak years were treated to some of the most unbelievable sights in basketball.

Shaq displayed a peak performance over a 3-year period in the noughties that is comparable to any in league history. The man broke league records left, right and center, and forced GMs across the league to sign or draft more big men.

Most of these hapless big men could barely do anything other than get out of his way or foul him. Shaq Diesel could get you with power and sheer strength, but he also had amazing touch with his jump-hooks.

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After 19 years in the league, Shaq is back in our daily lives in a new avatar. He joined Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber on Inside the NBA after retirement.

And since that time, the Lakers legend has continued to display his goofy, yet good-natured antics whenever he’s had an opportunity, or the occasion has demanded.

“In a week the kitten was the same size as Charles Barkley”: Shaquille O’Neal on his pet white tiger

Shaq and Chuck once fought on the NBA courts during the prime of their playing careers. Their mothers, who’d been long-time friends, forced them to end their beef and apologize to each other.

However, this animosity now expresses itself in many other settings where they aren’t ready to throw hands. Things can get quite testy at Studio J when Chuck and Shaq get into it with each other. But both have always maintained that this banter is solely motivated by fun purposes.

This notion was borne out once again in a quickfire round of questions that Shaq fielded as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Jimmy Kimmel – You owned a white tiger named Diesel that nearly killed you? What happened to Diesel?

Shaquille O’Neal – Yes. I saw it one week and it was a kitten. When I came back it was the same size as Charles Barkley. I had to gift him away.

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