Motivated by $10,000,000 Paycheck, Shaquille O’Neal Credits Working With Charles Barkley and Co. Keeps Him Grounded

After retiring from basketball in 2011, Shaquille O’Neal has been working his way up beyond basketball. Many people even say that Shaq is instead completing video-game like ‘side-quests’ in the real world. Besides being an accomplished basketball player, Shaq has four degrees, which he regards as equal to his four rings from the NBA. And he is also an emerging DJ, having performed at several music festivals and shows. Speaking to Keith Russel on CBS Texas, Shaq revealed how his $10,000,000 analyst job with TNT has kept him grounded.

Shaq has been a regular for TNT’s post-game show, appearing alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. While many former NBA players struggle post their basketball career, the TNT show has helped Shaq remain in the limelight for a long time.

Shaquille O’Neal credits TNT for keeping him grounded following his retirement from the NBA

Shaquille O’Neal is part of TNT’s NBA studio alongside Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley. He regularly features on the show ‘Inside the NBA,’ which has gained popularity in recent years for its funny antics and banter.

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green also occasionally features alongside the team in the show. Shaq has a special chemistry with Chuck in the show. Both league veterans often goof around and banter to entertain the viewers.

Speaking to Keith Russel, Shaq reveals how TNT fills him with the same ‘adrenaline’ he had during his youth. This made him yearn for further such adrenaline rush, which NBA’s competitive nature fulfilled thoroughly for the Diesel. Post-retirement, his TNT analyst job, and DJ-ing venture keep pumping that same adrenaline. Crediting TNT for the same, Shaq said:

“If I didn’t have TNT or other things, I’d probably be like a moody guy. So TNT, I get a little. You know, we go to places, we get a little [adrenaline], when I go to restraunts. When I went to a bass festival and watched the DJ perform for an hour and a half, it was the same feeling as the LA Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks in Game 6, Western Conference Finals. You know, and I used to DJ, let me try it. I’ve been trying it and I get the same feeling.” 

Following this statement, Shaq invited all the teenagers and youngsters to his upcoming bass festival at Fort Worth. However, Shaq’s Bass All-Stars festival is not for the weak-hearted or the older lot. The music festival, as Shaq puts it, will feature crazy mosh pits and the adrenaline of the youth, which Shaq still desires at the age of 51.

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal share a special relationship because of TNT

Charles Barkley and Shaq’s antics in TNT’s post-game show never fail to entertain the viewers. The duo engages in hilarious banters and jokes while providing noteworthy analyses of the matches and players.

They are one of the most famous NBA analyst duos, if not the most. Even though Barkley and Shaq were fierce rivals during their playing career, they seem to have immense fun at their newfound workplace.

This duo is also one of the reasons why youngsters have started taking further growing interest in the NBA.