Shaquille O'Neal, a figure widely recognized in sports and entertainment, has stated he does not consider himself a "celebrity," opting instead to be seen as a "regular person." In a recent interview with Page Six, O'Neal expressed a critical view of those in the public eye, describing celebrities as potentially "weird, rude and obnoxious."
O'Neal, who retired from the NBA in 2011 after a 19-season career, has remained a prominent media personality. His post-playing career includes work as a sports analyst on "Inside the NBA," ventures into music, and hosting events. He is also executive producing a new true crime series titled "Game Day Murders."
"I've been a sports guy, I've been a true crime guy, and finally, we're going to merge the two together," O'Neal told Page Six, describing himself as a "true crime junkie." He indicated that his new project focuses on crimes within collegiate and professional sports, emphasizing a respectful approach to the victims' stories. "Our goal was to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives," he said, aiming to show how communities can unite during difficult times.
The former Lakers star drew a parallel between the predictability of fictional narratives like the "Rocky" movies and the uncertainty of true crime stories, where "you don't know what's gonna happen."
O'Neal also reflected on a memorable on-court incident from 1999, when he knocked Vince Carter over while blocking a dunk. He recalled Carter's mother scolding him at the time, saying she would beat him up if he hurt her son. O'Neal stated he understood her concern and has never disrespected a mother. He is currently executive producing another show with Carter called "Dunkman."
When asked about his former teammate LeBron James's recent departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, O'Neal advised the veteran player to "Go where you can win." He stressed the importance of avoiding future regrets, stating, "When it's over for us, it's over. You never want to sit back and say, 'I shoulda, I coulda, I woulda.'"
"Dunkman" airs on TNT Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on HBO Max. "Game Day Murders" premieres on Monday, July 27, at 10 pm ET on ID, and streams on HBO Max.