Shaquille O’Neal Reminds Jamal Crawford of Their First Meeting by Recalling a Favor
Jamal Crawford and Shaquille O’Neal recently joined Shaq’s ‘The Great Podcast with Shaq’ to discuss some interesting aspects of their playing careers. Crawford entered the league in 2000 as the eighth overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time, Shaq was at the peak of his career, inspiring many new entrants to the league with his skill.
Recalling meeting Shaq for the first time, Jamal Crawford spoke of how amazed he was to see the “vaunted” Lakers star when he was 19 years old. Crawford noticed Shaq coming out of the tunnel during a Lakers game and heard Undertaker’s theme song in his entrance. “I can not stop looking at him” the former Chicago Bulls guard said, describing his first meeting with Shaq.
However, Big Friend remembered meeting Crawford differently.
He even tried to correct the former guard, saying that this wasn’t his first meeting. When Crawford asked about the same, Shaq responded:
“You and a couple of guys were standing outside in Los Angeles and couldn’t get in. I walked up and said, ‘let him in,’ as if to make sure that when I say let him in, they let him in.
.”
It was a favor from Shaq that introduced the young point guard to the legendary 7’1″ center for the first time in person.
Shaq had already known Crawford since he entered the league and had become a big admirer of the young and emerging shooting guard. The two then described their times playing against each other, and Shaq spoke highly of facing Crawford, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady in the league.
The two had also quickly developed a great relationship with each other over the years. Shaq remembered how funny it was to see Jamal Crawford wink at him from across the court every time they met.
In fact, this is the story of a league of healthy rivalry between players who eventually became closer colleagues through their experiences in the league.
Jamal Crawford had developed an incredible relationship with the ‘NBA on TNT’ team
In 2022, Jamal Crawford was announced as host of ‘NBA on TNT’, replacing Dwyane Wade on TNT’s Tuesday night NBA coverage. he joined a team consisting of Shaquille O’Neal, WNBA star Candace Parker and broadcaster Adam Lefkoe. Wade parted ways with the team after spending three seasons as host of TNT’s Tuesday night show.
On his first day in the office with Shaq, Crawford was the victim of one of Shaq’s welcome pranks on the guard. While talking about his joy at joining an esteemed group of panelists, Shaq noted that the three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year was missing his initiation into the team. Crawford was showered with popcorn as he spoke, receiving one of the wildest and most incredible “welcome moments” at a show alongside The Great Aristotle.
