Shaquille O’Neal on The Moment He Truly Became “Shaq”

Summary

Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin: “Shaquille O’Neal on The Moment He Truly Became ‘Shaq’”

Episode Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Craig Melvin
Guest: Shaquille O’Neal

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Episode Overview

In the inaugural episode of “Glass Half Full,” Craig Melvin sits down with NBA legend and cultural icon Shaquille O’Neal to explore pivotal moments that shaped him into “Shaq.” With characteristic humor and insight, Shaq discusses his transformation from a “juvenile delinquent” to a basketball legend and beloved public figure, reflecting on family, fame, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way. The candid conversation moves fluidly from deeply personal moments to playful banter, offering listeners both inspiration and entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Origin Story: From Shaquille O’Neal to “Shaq”

• Pivotal Moment of Transformation
  • Shaq identifies “the last day of me being a juvenile delinquent” as the inflection point when he began to heed his father's advice about leadership.
    Quote:

    “Father would always say, be a leader, not a follower. But I never knew what that meant. Got disciplined one last time and then said, ‘You know what? I’m gonna start doing right.’” (04:20, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Professional Inspiration
  • Seeing John Koncak’s $15M contract pushed Shaq to realize basketball could secure a better life for his family, especially his mother.
  • First national attention came when Ernie Johnson visited his childhood home, an early sign of “becoming Shaq.”
    Quote:

    “Tomorrow Mr. Vitel and the whole world will know the name Shaquille O’Neal. So that was the day I became Shaq.” (05:17, Shaquille O’Neal)

2. Family, Leadership, and Motivation

• Home as Motivation
  • Uncle Jerome’s advice: “Don’t mess up your mother’s house” became a guiding mantra. Quote:

    “Before you do or say anything crazy, do not lose your mother’s house.” (06:35, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Father Figures
  • Shaq emphasizes that his stepfather, Sergeant Philip Arthur Harrison, “made” him, teaching values, respect, and discipline. He later reconciled with his biological father without resentment. Quotes:

    "He’s my father. I do have a relationship with my biological [father] now…but…the guy that made me who I am is Sergeant Philip Arthur Harrison. Rest in peace." (07:07, Shaquille O’Neal)
    "Who am I to judge? …When I get mad, you’ll know. Cause I’m a Teddy." (07:47, Shaquille O’Neal)

3. Personal Growth and Accountability

• Reflections on Marriage and Mistakes
  • Shaq openly claims responsibility for his failings as a husband—no excuses, only lessons learned. Quote:

    “When you mess up, you say, I messed up. And you learn from it. You move on. …I’m a true man, and I messed up.” (09:39, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Discussing Sleep Apnea and Public Service
  • Shaq uses his platform to raise awareness about obstructive sleep apnea. Quote:

    “I urge people to go get checked out.” (10:23, Shaquille O’Neal)

4. Basketball Philosophy and Evolution of the Game

• No Regrets on the Court
  • Shaq asserts pride in his basketball career, standing by every decision as “tactful.” Quote:

    “Everything I did was done correctly, and I did it my way.” (11:36, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On Big Men Shooting Threes
  • Shaq jokes he’s partly “to blame” for modern big men playing on the perimeter. Quote:

    “When I was playing, no big guy wanted that thunk. So they all moved out, right?…It’s all my fault.” (14:04, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Old School vs. New School
  • Critiques copycat strategies and urges current bigs to dominate inside, not merely follow trends.
    Quote:

    “You should be earning that 30 million and dominated so much so to where your next contract is…70 million. But, you know, people always give the excuse, ‘Oh, you know, the game is different.’ No, the game is how you dictate it.” (15:00, Shaquille O’Neal)

5. Legacy, Integrity, and Reputation

• Protecting “the Family Name”
  • Shaq is adamant: his main concern is never bringing shame on his mother or family. Quote:

    “I don’t care about my reputation. I don’t want my mama in church and people looking at her crazy.” (18:57, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Views on Gambling Scandals
  • Shaq draws a line between personal betting and jeopardizing the game or family honor.

    “Why would you put your family and your name in jeopardy?” (17:39, Shaquille O’Neal)

6. On “Inside the NBA” and Team Dynamics

• Cast Chemistry
  • The show’s secret: genuine camaraderie and letting the personalities shine. Quote:

    “Charles, who I hate in real life, by the way, but not really... Ernie is the funniest guy in the crew.” (20:13, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Shaqtin’ a Fool and Humor
  • Shaq takes pride in replacing “bloopers” with “Shaqty moments.” Quote:

    “If you’re walking down the street and you just trip and you have a whole bunch of Starbucks coffees and you spill them, that’s not bloopers. That’s Shaqty.” (21:01, Shaquille O’Neal)

7. Business Acumen, Wealth, and Humility

• On Hollywood ‘Razzies’ and Childish Criticism
  • Reflecting over Razzie awards with self-deprecating humor and focusing on bankable success. Quote:

    “I would give them my Bank of America account information.” (24:31, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Family Over Fortune
  • Despite being among the wealthiest NBA players, Shaq stays grounded:
    Quote:

    “My mother’s house, it’s number one, right? My children, my crew, and then my toys.” (26:51, Shaquille O’Neal)

  • Encourages his kids to earn their way, inspired by examples from the Miami Heat ownership.

    “When I was playing for Miami Heat, the owner...had him at the shipyard learning everything about the ship. He says, I make my kids work…guarantee that there’s gonna be some changes around this house.” (28:38, Shaquille O’Neal)

8. Legacy and What He Wants to Be Remembered For

• Shaq’s Hopes for His Legacy
  • Decries celebrity culture, stresses regularness, kindness, and being approachable. Quote:

    “I just want them to say he was a nice guy. We take pride in just being regular people.” (30:06, Shaquille O’Neal)

  • Fosters small, tight-knit circles—no “homeboy special,” no oversized entourages.

    “No. You know why? UJ, DPS, Uncle Jerome. Don’t play that.” (30:57, Shaquille O’Neal)

9. Endorsements, Commercials, and Brand Authenticity

• Creative Control
  • Shaq maintains creative input in his ads, favoring authenticity and relatability. Quote:

    “I have creative control. Really? Oh, yeah. Over all the commercials. From the beginning.” (31:40, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Meaning Behind Notable Partnerships
  • Reps The General for personal reasons (first to insure him as a college student).
  • Launches “Shaqalicious Gummies”—personally involved in the product development. Quote:

    “Me and my crew, we taste about a trig in gummies. Until we got it right.” (33:00, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Where He Draws the Line
  • Shaq won’t endorse cannabis:

    “No, I don’t do weed. Hell no. Uncle Jerome. Don’t play that, man.” (33:36, Shaquille O’Neal)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On always striving:

  "Because there’s always work to do, even at this stage." (03:22, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On forging identity:

  “Tomorrow Mr. Vitel and the whole world will know the name Shaquille O’Neal. So that was the day I became Shaq.” (05:17, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On family honor:

  "I don’t care about my reputation. I don’t want my mama in church and people looking at her crazy." (18:57, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On Inside the NBA cast:

  “Charles, who I hate in real life, by the way, but not really...” (20:13, Shaquille O’Neal)

• Business mindset:

  “I would give them my Bank of America account information.” (24:31, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On instilling discipline in his kids:

  “I make my kids work…guarantee that there’s gonna be some changes around this house.” (28:38, Shaquille O’Neal)

• On legacy:

  “I just want them to say he was a nice guy.” (30:06, Shaquille O’Neal)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:20] — The moment Shaquille O’Neal became “Shaq”
• [07:07] — Relationship with stepfather and biological father
• [09:38] — On mistakes in marriage and personal growth
• [10:23] — Discussing sleep apnea and using his platform for awareness
• [12:31] — Basketball regrets (or lack thereof) and career pride
• [14:04] — Evolution of the big man in basketball and blaming himself
• [17:39] — Integrity, gambling, and protecting “the family name”
• [20:13] — Inside the NBA’s magic and cast dynamics
• [24:31] — Responding to Razzie awards with humor and confidence
• [26:51] — Attitude toward wealth and discipline with his kids
• [30:06] — Desired legacy: “He was a nice guy”
• [31:40] — Creative control over endorsements and commercials
• [33:36] — Boundaries: No cannabis endorsements

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Final Takeaway

This debut episode exemplifies “Glass Half Full”’s mission—offering surprising vulnerability and fresh perspective from seemingly larger-than-life figures. Shaq’s reflections reveal a drive for constant improvement, a love for family, a fierce sense of legacy, and a playful humility underpinning all his success.
As Craig Melvin notes in closing:

“Although…a little surprised that he’s a glass half empty guy. But what this podcast is going to be about… is going to be about the journey that we’re all on… and your glass half full.” (33:54, Craig Melvin)

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Transcript

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[Craig Melvin]

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[Shaquille O'Neal]

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[Craig Melvin]

O O oz. Shaquille o', Neal, welcome.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

How are you?

[Craig Melvin]

Welcome to Glass Half Full. We start every episode with a toast. I've got my bourbon. You don't drink on tv, so we got you a mug.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

But this is not tv. This is a podcast.

[Craig Melvin]

That's true, but they're TV cameras.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Beatbox.

[Craig Melvin]

What are we toasting to?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Life.

[Craig Melvin]

Just life.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Me making you look bad on your own podcast.

[Craig Melvin]

That's how we gonna start this. That's how we gonna start. Okay. Hey, everyone. Craig Melvin here. And welcome to the very first episode of my new podcast. It's called Glass Half Full. And this is where we really sort of dig into those moments that shape and mold people that we. We thought we knew. And I think what you'll discover is what I've discovered. Nobody gets anywhere where worth going without maybe facing something a little hard along the way. And our first guest, one of my favorite guests, a hall of fame guest, if you will. Shaquille o', Neal, of course, five time NBA all star. But then he goes on to become this prolific businessman as well, a philanthropist. And I think you're going to enjoy our conversation because what I discovered is Zach is still chasing stuff. He still wants more. So here we go. The very first episode of Glass Half Full.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Me and you always fight, bro.

[Craig Melvin]

We do. And by the way, I don't think it's a coincidence that since you started beefing with me, my career is sort of. So I should probably attribute some of my success to Shaq.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

First of all, it's not beef. It's just competition, that's all. That's true. You know, I love you and I respect you. I'm also proud of you. Like, I've been a fan of yours from day one, and you do great honest work. You know, a lot of people in our business don't do great honest work, but you do great honest work, and may God continue to bless you, brother man.

[Craig Melvin]

We might have to stop the podcast. Thank you. That means a lot coming from someone like yourself. Before we get into some of the moments that have shaped you professionally and personally, would you consider yourself a glass half full or glass half empty kind of guy?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Half empty. Really? Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

That actually surprises me. Why would you consider the glass half empty?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Because there's always work to do, even at this stage. Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

What. What's the work?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I mean, just. Just continue to inspire people. You know, continue to learn about myself and continue to do excellent business.

[Craig Melvin]

You know, you're one of the most beloved former athletes in America.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I am. You are. I didn't know that.

[Craig Melvin]

It's true. You know this. People love you. Like, you're one of the few. You're one of the few athletes left

[Shaquille O'Neal]

where people are like, I don't get out much. Cause I'm on house arrest.

[Craig Melvin]

Shut up, shut up, shut up. Let's talk about. Because, you know, on the podcast, we like to focus on first the moment that has probably shaped you more than any professionally or personally. And then we'll talk about some of the smaller moments. But as you look back, as you reflect on all of it, can you point to a single moment where you went from Shaquille o' Neal to Shaq?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

It was the last day of me being a juvenile delinquent. Growing up, had a great life. Just didn't develop my leadership skills until it was forced into me. Father would always say, be a leader, not a follower. But I never knew what that meant. Got disciplined one last time and then said, you know what I'm gonna start doing, right? This was around the time that John Konkac signed a contract for. I think it was 15 million for three years.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

And my father took me to a game, and he was a professional player, but I felt in my time that I was better than him. So in my genius thinking, I was like, if he's making five, I can make three, I can make two, right? Like, if I'm as half as good as this guy, I can make 2.5. And then I started focusing and I started playing, and then it wasn't until people started telling me I was great. The first famous guy to come to my house was Ernie Johnson. Ernie Johnson came to my house and did an interview on me and my family. Yeah. Tnt. Wait a minute.

[Craig Melvin]

The guy you sitting next to now was. I never. Oh, he says, I never knew that.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. And then Ronald High School, it was always a dream for Dick Vital to say my name. So we attended the All American Game. And it was a whole bunch of guys there from New York and all these guys from these big cities. And I get in line. I was like, hey, Mr. Vital, how are you, sir? And he looks at me and he says, and your name is? He didn't know my name. So that kind of. That kind of upset me a little bit. So my whole mindset was, Tomorrow Mr. Vitel, and the whole world will know the name Shaquille o'. Neal. So that was the day I became Shaq. And then I've always said to myself, you know, my Uncle Jerome was one of my favorite people. He would always tell me, don't mess up your mother's house. I've always kept that in mind. I don't want to do things that jeopardize my mother's house. And that was my whole focus, because I remember one day riding with my mother, and she was looking at a house, and she just kind of, like, pulled over, and we just. Because, like, we never had a house. Like, we're from the projects in Oakland, Jersey. We used to stay in, like, the military barracks and, you know, like, the little, you know, apartments that they have for us. So, you know, we. When we moved to San Antonio, nice, big Texas estates and farms. And she just pulled over one day and just looked at this house, and I said, you know what? I gotta give my mom my new house. And that was always my motivation. So Jerome always used to tell me, before you do or say anything crazy, do not lose your mother's house.

[Craig Melvin]

And you never did. Never did.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yep.

[Craig Melvin]

Going back to the delinquent thing, though. Little petty stuff, or was it serious?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Wasn't serious. You know, just.

[Craig Melvin]

But it set you straight.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

Set me straight.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

You just referenced your father. And I'm assuming that when you say your father, you. You mean the man that you came to know as your dad, not your biological father?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes. I don't use the term stepdad, all that. You know, he was. Raised me. Taught me everything. Taught me about life, about values, about morals. Taught me about respect for myself and respect for others. So, you know, he's my father. I do Have a relationship with my biological now. And, you know, when I met him, I told him, hey, things happen. We have no hard feelings. We can have a relationship. But, you know, the guy that made me who I am is Sergeant Philip Arthur Harrison. Rest in peace.

[Craig Melvin]

He made Shaq.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes.

[Craig Melvin]

And you made peace with your biological dad later in life.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I never had a problem with him.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Never had a problem with him because, you know, listen, men, marriages, relationships, you go through things, especially when you're struggling with addiction. Yes. And I wasn't always the perfect guy in my relationship and in my marriage. So who. Who am I to judge? So I never really had problem with him. I just felt that if you wanted to get to know me, you just should have came and talked to me. It was unfortunate I had to find out about it on the Ricky Lake Show. I just felt kind of blindsided. I wasn't upset. I don't get upset. Cause when I get mad, you'll know. Cause I'm a Teddy.

[Craig Melvin]

You won't mess up your mom's house, but you mess up.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. My house. I definitely mess up.

[Craig Melvin]

You. You just alluded to it, and you've been fairly open about it in the past. This idea that Shaq, amazing basketball player, amazing philanthropist, amazing businessman, was not an amazing husband. If you could go back and redo some of that, I mean, I would

[Shaquille O'Neal]

just do the right thing. That's all. You know, there's really no thesis.

[Craig Melvin]

What does that mean?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Like, you know, when you make vows and you say and do certain things, you have to, you know, stand up to that. I wasn't. You know, we can always sit here and make excuses, but it was definitely no excuse for her. And, you know, I've paid the price for it. You know, I've lived in 67,000 square foot house by myself. No kids, no nothing. And, you know, kind of got to me at times. But, you know, my kids and they understand and, you know, we've had conversations. So, you know, my relationship with them now is perfect.

[Craig Melvin]

You've grown from it.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes.

[Craig Melvin]

Do you think if you were. If you had been older when you got married, do you think it would have been different?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I don't know. I don't know. Again, it's just, you know, I'm the type that when you mess up, you say, I messed up.

[Craig Melvin]

Yeah.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

And you learn from me. You move on. I don't go, well, it was because. Because of nothing. I'm a true man, and I messed

[Craig Melvin]

up because a lot of folks probably don't know that Shaq dealt with or deals with a medical condition that a lot of people can relate to.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. So I'm a spokesperson for Lily, and, you know, I'm on a CRU say, to help people with, you know, talk about a moderate to severe osa. OSA stands for obstructive sleep apnea. You know, for people that don't know what that is. A lot of times when you lay down to sleep, airways, you know, close a little bit, partially close or whatever. And, you know, symptoms are like, you choke at night, you gas. Gas for air at night. You know, you wake up and you're tired and all these things. So I urge people to go get checked out.

[Craig Melvin]

You've always used your platform for good, so that's not surprising that you're trying to save some lives out there. As we sit here, though, you're good. You're healthy.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I mean, I've been. I mean, I've been talking to my doctor, and, you know, I've been, you know, putting together a plan that's, you know, good for me.

[Craig Melvin]

Looking back professionally, is there something that you would redo? Is there something where you. You think back on it, you're like, gosh, knowing what I know now, maybe I would have handled this differently.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

As far as what?

[Craig Melvin]

As far as basketball?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Oh, no. As far as basketball. No.

[Craig Melvin]

No regrets?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, no. I wouldn't say. Wouldn't say regrets. You know, I've always taught, you know, to, you know, make the right decisions. I don't. I don't make decisions based off emotions. You know, I've always tried to be very tactful in, you know, my decisions. And, you know, everything I did was. Was done correctly, and I did it my way. You know, one thing about my career, I've done it my way. Beat all the odds. You know, how many times I heard, oh, just foul him. Just foul him. He'll never do this. He'll never do that. So sack attack. That's right. So at the end of the day, look up, and you see three statues and three retired jerseys. And I go in my safe, and I see four beautiful championship rings. I did it my way.

[Craig Melvin]

More with Shaquille o' Neal when we come back

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[Shaquille O'Neal]

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[Craig Melvin]

I want to get your take on something. Kareem Abdul Jabbar was here in the green room shortly after Lebron broke the scoring record. And we were talking, and we were talking about the evolution of the game. And he said, he said, craig, do you know how many three point shots I took in my career? I mean, I was, you know, I was a kid. I was like, maybe 20, maybe 25. He's like, no, I think he told me three, maybe four. I think that's what he said. And then I read how many, how many did you take or make?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I made one. You made one out of 20.

[Craig Melvin]

Out of 20?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

Big men now, they shoot the three ball a lot.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

And it's my fault.

[Craig Melvin]

Explain.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Because when I was playing, no big guy wanted that thunk. So they all moved out, right? No, think about it. And like, we're all products of our environment. So when I was growing up, I watched Kareem, I watched you, and I watched Robinson. So I was told to get inside.

[Craig Melvin]

Yeah.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

But when I was playing the dominant, what was, you know, what was the opposing center trying to do? Bring Shaq out. Bring Shaq out. So you got guys like the Durk and the Duncans and the Garnett. They would pick and pop. So all these kids, they're watching Biggs do pick and pop now?

[Craig Melvin]

Oh, I've never thought about that.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes. It's all my fault.

[Craig Melvin]

And you don't think we'll ever return to the Daisy Bowl?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No.

[Craig Melvin]

Especially since the smart numbers guys have figured out that, you know, it makes more sense to shoot 25, 33s a game.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Well, some people are so smart that they're stupid. You know, when I play, I'm playing to win a championship. So, you know, like, I've. Like, I ask coaches all the time, why do. Why do you guys do the same thing? We. We're now in a copycat league. Everybody wants to be Golden State. But you're not, Steph. So, like, if I got a guy that can pretty much score, like, for example, Joel Embi, why are you shooting jumpers? You're the biggest guy out there. You're not getting double, you're not getting tripled. They're not putting defenses around you. You should be. You should be earning that 30 million and dominated so much so to where your next contract is, like, shay Gilgis Alexander, 70 million. But, you know, people always give the excuse, oh, you know, the game is different. No, the game is how you dictate it. I could have shot jumpers and did all that, but I didn't want to do that. I wanted to dominate you and make you quit. Embarrass you in front of your wife and kids, make you cry, make your whole team yell, 3 seconds. Make your whole team say, oh, he's not gonna make the free throws. I just wanted to make you miserable. And that's what I did. Like, if, like if I was playing now, you know, like somebody said the other day, oh, well, you can't guard Joker. Well, Joker can't guard me either. And this is what I would do. As soon as Joker take me out and shoot the three. Yeah, I'm gonna run right past his ass and stand in the middle of the lane for 100 seconds, and you're going to throw me the ball and I'm going to dunk, and I'm going to get two points. You might get three, but I'm going to get more twos, and you get more threes. I guarantee it.

[Craig Melvin]

It sounds like you watch the. When you watch the game now, you get a little frustrated.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I do get real frustrated because these guys, they just, I mean, because you, you know, we have to. We have to, you know, protect this thing of ours and reason why I love the game so much. My father took me to a game, and he borrowed money from his friend Mingo. What's up, Mingo? And we went to the game, and it was a Terrible game. And my father was mad and he said, man, if you ever get to this level and people pay hard earned money, make sure you give them a show. I always wanted to give people a show. That's why I did like certain little silly things and looked at the kids and interacted with kids. They're paying money.

[Craig Melvin]

Yes.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

And we get paid off some of the money that they pay.

[Craig Melvin]

Yes.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Let's give them a show. Like just going out there jacking up threes. That's not giving them a show.

[Craig Melvin]

I think that's why a lot of folks get frustrated with that load management idea. You know, pay $200 a ticket and I don't even get to see LeBron play or terrible or whoever. Your take on this gambling scandal.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I started off the show saying I'm not a puritan. I homeboy gamble me and you up in thing, you know, we met. Hey, I bet you $20. I guess I do stuff like that all the time. Never gambled at anybody houses. Never did none of that. I don't even know how to play poker in Vegas. I'll shoot craps and you know, do all those things. But within those guidelines, there's something called the letter of the law. You know what's right and what's wrong. And I know for a fact in the NBA, twice a year they pull us aside, cut practice and say these are rules. When it comes to gambling, these are the rules. When it comes to drugs, these are the consequences. So we know better. And my only thing was, why would you put your family and your name in jeopardy? See, we have to protect this thing of ours. Magic doctor J paid the way for. Magic doctor J didn't make no money. He's one of the greatest players ever. Magic made a little bit of money. Charles them didn't make no money. I made good money. But these guys are making stupid money. Stupid money. Shay Gilders Alexander. Well deserved by the way. 70 million a year.

[Craig Melvin]

KD signs a two year extension for 90.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

If you think.

[Craig Melvin]

And he's almost your age.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

That's what I'm saying. So are we allowed to curse on this podcast?

[Craig Melvin]

Yeah, you can.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

You think I'm gonna up $70 million?

[Craig Melvin]

Not sure you can say that. But yeah.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, seriously, like why would you jeopardize that? Like I don't even know what that player. I don't even know what that means. I don't even know what it means. So. But why would you mess that up?

[Craig Melvin]

So you seem big on reputation.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

My grandma used to say, no, it ain't that?

[Craig Melvin]

No. But you've talked about protecting, like, my mother's house, right?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. I don't care about my reputation. I don't want my mama in church and people looking at her crazy.

[Craig Melvin]

But you say your family name.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes.

[Craig Melvin]

There's pride in that.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

My grandma used to say sometimes she'd read something or watch something on TV and she'd shake her head, and she's like, nah. Whatever happened to shame? Whatever happened to shame?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I don't. I don't understand it. So I know for a fact Adam Silver and the law enforcement community there, they're definitely gonna clean it up. So we'll just sit back and see what else unfolds.

[Craig Melvin]

I flew to Chicago several years ago when you celebrated the 25th anniversary of one of my favorite shows, Inside the NBA. It's perfectly cast. Just from the very beginning, you guys, you make basketball watchable and more enjoyable for casual fans, not even folks who really follow the game. And I sit down. You won't remember this, but I said something to Charles Barkley about I read some article that he was retiring from broadcasting. He might step away. And before I could even start the interview, Chuck, Chuck, how you gonna retire from a job you don't do? How you gonna retire from something you don't even show up to product? And I'm sitting there for five minutes, and in the five minutes, I'm like, this is why this show works. They genuinely enjoy each other's company.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

We do. Charles, who I hate in real life, by the way, but not really Charles, like the annoying big brother that I never had. Kenny is Kenny Love. Ernie. First famous guy I'd ever interviewed and come to my house. They do a great job of letting us utilize our humor. And I think it works because Barkley's a hall of Famer, so, you know, he has G14 classification. I'm a Hall of Famer with four championships, so I think it's fair to say I know what I'm talking about, especially when it comes to big men. Kenny has two championships, and Ernie reminds me of you. Very professional, you know, the way he does things. You know, his. His approach and. And believe it or not, Ernie is the funniest guy in the crew.

[Craig Melvin]

I've heard that.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah, Ernie is the funniest guy in the crew, and we just like to have fun. And then we do my Shack in the fool segment where.

[Craig Melvin]

Which my son loves.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Oh, thank you. Thank you, loves. Cause I should do more of them. He said, oh, I will. I wanted to replace the word bloopers. Like, if you're walking down the street and you just trip and you have a whole bunch of Starbucks coffees and you spill them, that's not bloopers. That's Shaqty.

[Craig Melvin]

Shaq to the fool.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes.

[Craig Melvin]

Why would you. Why do you give Chuck? It seems like Chuck has made a concerted effort to lose weight, to slim down, to get in shape. He seems serious about his health, and you give him you.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I didn't say nothing. That was Kenny. I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything.

[Craig Melvin]

Kenny asked him where he wanted to make sure he had the phone number of the charity where he donated the fat suits so he could get the suits back when he put the weight on. And instead of encouraging your friend to continue on his health journey, you laughed.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I'm just saying, like, he looks good, but I don't know how long it's gonna. Like, he was in the back eating a pork chop omelette. A pork chop. Like, the thing about that, a pork chop. Like, have you ever seen a pork chop omelette?

[Craig Melvin]

No, actually.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Me either. I was like, what is that? He said, oh, man. That's a pork chop omelette. Okay,

[Craig Melvin]

more ahead with Shaquille o'. Neal. Stay with us

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[Shaquille O'Neal]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

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[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Craig Melvin]

We have a segment on the podcast called Craig's Curiosities. These are actually things that I've been always, always genuinely interested in. I'm gonna ask you about them real quickly. You've never. You've always been self deprecating. You don't take yourself too seriously.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No.

[Craig Melvin]

Which would explain your acting career. You've been.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

You know what you've been nominated.

[Craig Melvin]

You know what for multiple Razzie Awards.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

You know what?

[Craig Melvin]

Worst news star for your role in Blue Chips. It was the 1998 worst actor for your role in Steel.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Okay.

[Craig Melvin]

Smokey Robinson, Worst supporting actor for your role.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Okay.

[Craig Melvin]

Blended. If you could say something to the people who nominated you for those Razzies, what would you say?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I would say I would give them my bank of America account information. Go back to the set of movies. Say it again.

[Craig Melvin]

Well, I mean, we just wrote. We just got three blended steel Blue Chips.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Hold on. Blended. Thank you. Adam Sandler. 3 million. Go ahead, Blue Steel. Blue Steel was about 6 million, and Kazam was about 9.

[Craig Melvin]

Because they paid you 9 million for Kazaam.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I paid myself. First of all, you shouldn't even be watching. This movie is for kids. I don't know why. I don't know why your old ass is watching that movie. Anyway, it's for kids.

[Craig Melvin]

I think that's more than Jordan got for Space Jam.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

And listen, you know what? I don't care what you say. Every now and then, a person will walk by and say, kazam was my favorite movie. That's all I need.

[Craig Melvin]

People smoke weed in New York.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. See?

[Craig Melvin]

What's the best prank Shaq's ever pulled?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I'm not allowed to talk about it on this show.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay, what's something that's difficult for Shaq because of your size?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Buying the sports car that these little rich people ride around. Like, I wanted to get those Ferraris and those Bugattis so bad. Like, I used to. I used to, like, buy those cars and then buy another car. Cut them in half, super glue them together.

[Craig Melvin]

If you could switch lives with anyone for 24 hours, who would it be?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I can't say.

[Craig Melvin]

But there is someone.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

Why can't you say?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I can't say because. Because if I say, it'll go viral and can't say it.

[Craig Melvin]

Well, can you give a clue? Are they. Is it an athlete, a musician? It's a businessman. It's a businessman.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, it's not.

[Craig Melvin]

It's not a businessman. Is it. Is it a woman? Would you switch?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I'm not trolls, so.

[Craig Melvin]

No, it's just 24 hours. You could be a woman for 24 hours.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, I cannot. I can never be a woman. So.

[Craig Melvin]

So give me. Like, give me.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, hold on. You know what? That's strike two. Get to strike three, we go tear the restaurant up. Yeah, see, I'm doing it, but I'm just. I can't. Because it'll go viral.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay. All right, well, let's talk about your business acumen for a moment here. Because you have become, I read in my notes, you're one of now the four, depending on the list, five wealthiest NBA players ever. Does that surprise you? Did you not know that?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I don't. I don't really think about it, you know, just.

[Craig Melvin]

What do you mean, you don't think about it? Of course. Well, you don't have to think about it now because you're worth half a billion dollars.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

My mother's house, it's number one, right? My children, my crew, and then my toys. That's all I care about. You know, the fact that my mother can get, like. I just bought her her Louis purses for the first time. Cause she don't care about that stuff. I took her shopping, and we went in and. How much is this purse? Three thousand. She's old school. No, baby. So get three of them. Get six or seven and just, you know, so her, like, walking around with, like, her Louis purse, and it makes her feel good. That's all that matters to me. You know, my kids, you know, how they look at me. You know, I feel good when I go into the meetings and it's Dr. O', Neill, of course I'm Shaq, but they know and understand that. Hey, whatever. Whatever you about to tell me, I can comprehend what you're saying. We can get things done. And, you know, I have great relationship with my children. They were upset for a while because I said I'm rich. You're not. Yeah, we're not rich. But, you know, it kinds of. I think it'll be good for them. I actually got the idea. Like, I tell a story all the time. When I was playing for Miami Heat, the owner of the Heat mom had passed away, and she had left his two kids a lot of money. 250, 300 million. And it was, like, big article on paper. So I Come in the locker room one day, and the kid, he's picking up dirty uniforms. I don't say anything. And then I see him another time, like, he's doing regular stuff. So finally, I pulled Mickey to the side and said, mickey, no disrespect, but you own Carnival Cruise Lines. You do all this. And Mama left the babies all this money. I seen Nick doing things, and he said, shaq, when I was first started out in the shipping business, his father had him at the shipyard learning everything about the ship. He says, I make my kids work. And as soon as I got home, I was gonna be like, oh, there's gonna be some changes around this house. Guarantee that there's gonna be some changes around this house.

[Craig Melvin]

Seven kids, and you told them all, like, when I'm gone, you don't count on a windfall.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Don't. Don't have to earn it.

[Craig Melvin]

Two questions for the road. What is one moment that Shaq is still chasing? What's one thing you haven't done that you still want to do?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I want to get Botox in the face like you do, so I can look young. Got him. Oh, I'm back.

[Craig Melvin]

Hang on, two. To be clear, I've never gotten Botox. Never had any Botox. I do use a serum sometimes. I've been known. But to be fair, you've got very nice skin, too.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah, but I don't use Botox.

[Craig Melvin]

You've had some work done.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Have you tried a salmon sperm facial?

[Craig Melvin]

I have not.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Okay, I'm just asking.

[Craig Melvin]

All right, we're gonna move on to the second two to two. I'll give you that. I earned that. I earned that. What is. What is one moment that when you are six feet underground, what's one moment that you hope people remember you for?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I just want him to say he was a nice guy. We take pride in just being regular people. I denounced myself from being a celebrity about nine, ten years ago. Celebrities are ass. I don't want to be like that. I remember one time in a restaurant and not going to say his name, but a kid, listen, I understand. Don't interrupt me while I'm eating, but a kid came last photograph, and he embarrassed the kid and made him cry. And I just said, I never want to be like that. You know, when I go to work, you see my crew. You always see me with Uncle Jerome, Uncle Mike, Danny D. Mac. You know, we don't do the homeboy special.

[Craig Melvin]

What's the Homeboy special?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

We don't have 30, 50 people with gold chains. And you Never have. That's true. I never had. You know why? You know why?

[Craig Melvin]

Cause you like to keep the money in your pocket.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No. You know why? Uj, dps, Uncle Jerome. Don't play that.

[Craig Melvin]

All of the lessons that you were taught early on really did stay with you.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah. My daddy, Uncle Jerome, Uncle Mike, Danny. Yeah. You know, my crew, like, we. When we just want to make people happy or inspire people.

[Craig Melvin]

300 commercials. You've been in more than three. Did you know that?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, I don't.

[Craig Melvin]

We did. We counted them up. More than 300. Is there a commercial that you look back on, you're like, that was pretty good. That was pretty clever.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Well, there are pretty good.

[Craig Melvin]

Cause the check always clears.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, it's not about the money. I have creative control. Really? Oh, yeah.

[Craig Melvin]

Over all the commercial.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

From the beginning. Yes, from the beginning.

[Craig Melvin]

Well, then I've got more questions. Cause the general ad was that you,

[Shaquille O'Neal]

as general ads, is beautiful. You know why it's beautiful? They were generic, and they were the way they were. Like me and Uncle Jerome and the guys. Every day before practice, we used to bet on Maury Povich. We used to bet on. Oh, he's nothing like. We just like homeboy betting.

[Craig Melvin]

Homeboy betting. Right, right. Don't have the lead call.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah, it's like, you know, oh, he's not the file. So we used to do that, and then that commercial used to come on, and I was like, the general. The general. And then I went back in my files. The general gave me insurance when I was in college. Cause I remember. Yeah, I remember. I was like, you know what? Affordable. Something that I had. I want to represent you guys. And we did it. And, you know, the commercial. Listen, the commercials were. I don't want to use the word cheesy, but they were generic for a

[Craig Melvin]

reason, and they landed clearly.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

That's the point.

[Craig Melvin]

Throw me the gummies. Can you just throw me those gummies there? Because I did want to ask you about these, because now you've got these. You've got shackalicious gummies. Like, what's the story? What was the story behind that?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Because I want you to bite my head off.

[Craig Melvin]

I'd be more than happy.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yes, just bite it off.

[Craig Melvin]

Oh, these are the shoe ones.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Yeah, those are the shoe ones. I.

[Craig Melvin]

Listen, actually, I'm not saying scorch in here. They're actually. They're pretty good.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I know. They are pretty good.

[Craig Melvin]

I was pleasantly surprised.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, no, you were not. Like, I like me and my crew, we taste about a trig in gummies. Until we got it right. Seriously. They would send them FedEx. We would go there like, no, no, no. And then. And you know what? The. What's the word? Chemist. Can I say chemist? The guy that perfected it. He was a young cat.

[Craig Melvin]

You know what? I've never seen you endorse.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I do.

[Craig Melvin]

I haven't. What was your beer endorsement?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Beatbox. I urge people to drink responsibly.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay. You know, what about cannabis?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No, I don't do weed. Hell no. Uncle Jerome. Don't play that, man.

[Craig Melvin]

But, I mean, if the company came to you and they had, like, a no principle.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

No.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

It's a great podcast. Thanks for having me.

[Craig Melvin]

Thank you. I'm so happy you brought Reebok back. Will you bring back the Pump?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I will. I got you.

[Craig Melvin]

Okay.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Appreciate you.

[Craig Melvin]

I really do. And so does America. Thank you. Well, there you have it. Our very first episode of Glass Half Full. And couldn't have. Couldn't have asked for a better first guest than Shaq. Although, admittedly, I will say I was a little surprised that he's a glass half empty guy. But, you know, that's what this podcast is going to be about. It's going to be about the journey that we're all on. And I'm excited. I think we're building something special. So apparently we're going to be back next week. They tell me we've got at least two episodes. So we hope that you will join us next week. Until then, download, share, subscribe. Like there's always one. What's the other? Comment. Comment. You're supposed to comment as well. Please do that. And I can't wait to see you back here next week. Until then, the glass. At least my glass half full. Cheers. Today's episode of Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin is produced by Sadie Bass and Jarrett Crawford, along with Brooke Glatz. Ali Straim is our editor and Matt Tierney is our audio engineer. Ariana Davis and Ashley Kodiani are our executive producers. Additional production support is provided by Chloe Long, Ashley Domagola, Ned Friedrich, Francesco Locasio, Miguel Toron, Bailey Coronis, and Megan Sarnacki.

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[Craig Melvin]

Expired in 2012. Dang it.

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[Craig Melvin]

It feels good to save big. It feels good to Geico.