Shaquille O’Neal managed to get a jocular swipe in on Charles Barkley while elaborating on his UFO story in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
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Shaq has made his name for a number of reasons – many of which have to do with the fact that he’s a Hall of Fame basketball player. O’Neal was possibly the most unstoppable force in NBA history at his prime.
He led the LA Lakers to 3 straight championships, becoming the last player to win 3 straight Finals MVPs on the way. It is difficult to argue against O’Neal as having a case for a top-3 prime of all time.
He was also in the cultural consciousness much before he signed with the Lakers. Shaq got shoutouts from the legendary Biggie Smalls in his debut studio album. He also released a movie called ‘Kazaam’.
Ultimately, it was his success on the court that helped to catapult the Big Aristotle into worldwide popularity. After all, it is hard to miss a 7’1″, 350+ pound man when he’s beating the pulp out of everyone in the opposition.
“I definitely believe in UFOs because Charles Barkley looks like an alien”: Shaquille O’Neal
Since his retirement after 19 seasons in the league, Shaq has taken on the role of a studio analyst for TNT. The Lakers legend shares the dais with Charles Barkley – a former on-court nemesis, but a dear friend all the same.
NBA fans will doubtless confirm that the duo have unmatched on-screen chemistry – especially when haggling with each other. Shaq does have his moments, but usually it’s Chuck who ends up as the victor in the verbal salvo.
As a result, Shaq sometimes resorts to other interviews to get some well-earned swipes in at his co-host. And that opportunity presented itself to him a couple of months back. Jimmy Kimmel asked him about his beliefs regarding UFOs, and Shaq answered enthusiastically:
“Well one, I totally believe in UFOs, because I look at Charles Barkley and his body – he’s definitely an alien. And you know what’s crazy? I never told you about this story.”
“In 1997, me and one of my good friends Chris Flores, we were on a double date. The girl he married – her name is Melissa – we were on a double date. We’re coming from a Hollywood video in Madera, California.”
“Right when we passed the fairground, I could swear I saw a flying saucer come down with all the lights and it was spinning and then it took off. We all looked at each other and it was like, I know it was a UFO. I don’t care what anybody says.”
