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The NBA moved to the UAE this October, to host the 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games. With a plethora of activities at the NBA district, it was a huge affair. The event had celebrities and former NBA superstars gracing the stage. And the beloved Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal traveled to the Middle East, as a the league’s ambassador. On his maiden trip to the UAE, the four-time NBA Champion had a great time.

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O’Neal took a break from all the activities and sightseeing to meet Dmitry Bivol, the WBA light heavyweight champion who was training for his next fight at the Etihad Arena. The Lakers no. 34, who is a car collector himself was awestruck by the car collection of the light heavyweight champion.

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Shaquille O’Neal on Bivol’s Car collection

The four-time NBA Champion had the time of his life in the Emirates. His popularity and lovable nature are famous worldwide, due to which the Lakers star saw happy faces everywhere he went. He also considered buying property in the city, if ever he planned to move there. 

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal reveals how once he lost a lot of money due to greed.

Amid all the activities, O’Neal took some time off to meet a friend, Dmitry Bivol. And was amazed by the car collection that the light heavyweight champion had. 

“I went to my friend’s house yesterday – he has the best car collection I’ve ever seen. I just want to see everything and everywhere,” The 15-time All-Star remarked. O’Neal is known to love collecting cars as well.

The Lakers legend once splashed hundreds of thousands in cars on a single day, just after locking in his first professional NBA contract. Safe to say, if someone knows their cars, it is Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal has a collection of 30 cars, which are as rare as they come. As a result, when Shaquille O’Neal thinks someone’s car collection is the best in the world. It probably is.

O’Neal in Abu Dhabi

Shaquille O’Neal considers Abu Dhabi to be a place to settle in the future. The seven-foot-tall basketball legend mentioned how the city was beautiful and he was “looking at real estate” in the city. As it turns out, the Big Diesel seemed to be impressed by the culture and people in the country.

Watch this story: Shaquille O’Neal once spent $1 Million to get back at a Bentley Salesman

The Lakers no. 34 went Quad Biking in the desert. O’Neal wouldn’t miss out on any thrill that he could get out of Abu Dhabi, so this is not a surprise.

What do you think of the NBA event in Abu Dhabi? Do you like NBA branching out to different countries? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shankha Shuvra Das

522 Articles

Shankha Shuvra Das is an NBA writer whose expertise lies in the intricacies of the league's business side. With a Master's Degree in Economics, he is well-equipped to analyze the complex commercial aspects of the world's third-richest sports league. As a writer at EssentiallySports, Shankha has demonstrated remarkable proficiency, particularly in his coverage of the FTX debacle that implicated several NBA stars. His in-depth analysis and transparent reporting have earned him a reputation for delivering high-quality content that fans and industry professionals alike can trust. Shankha's extensive coverage of Shaquille O'Neal and his various ventures outside of basketball also showcases his ability to provide insight into the business side of sports. His writing is engaging, informative, and always well-researched, making him a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the NBA's commercial landscape. When he's not busy writing, Shankha can be found hitting pads at a kickboxing gym or trying his hand at writing screenplays for movies. This passion for both sports and creative endeavors is reflected in his work, which always showcases a unique perspective and attention to detail. Overall, Shankha is a skilled writer whose transparency and commitment to quality make him a trusted authority on the business of the NBA.

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