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“Don’t Fake the Funk on a Nasty Dunk”: Shaquille O’Neal Resurfaces Epic Commercial with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain & More NBA Legends

Published 08/01/2022, 3:39 PM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal recently resurfaced a vintage Reebok commercial from 1993 as a tribute to the late great Bill Russell. The commercial features Shaquille O’Neal with NBA legends Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Walton.

Shaq posted the commercial in his Instagram stories to remember his earliest memories with the Celtics legend as the NBA world remains in a state of mourning over the unexpected news of Russell’s demise.

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Since then, several current and former players have flooded social media with their tributes to the NBA legend. Former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal is no exception.

Shaquille O’Neal resurfaces old commercial with Bill Russell

Shaquille O’Neal gifted his fans with a fresh bundle of nostalgia after posting this vintage commercial from 1993 on his Instagram stories. In the commercial, a rookie Shaq attempts to impress the established NBA greats, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Walton.

The advertisement portrays Shaq to be trying to enter an elite club of NBA legends. The password required is, “Don’t fake the funk on a nasty dunk.

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Meanwhile, Bill Russell tells Shaq “You’re early“. In response, Shaq says, “I’m ready.

Then prove it,” comes Russell’s quick reply.

Soon after, Shaq shatters the backboard glass with a nasty dunk. However, the group of the NBA legends don’t seem that impressed by the showing. Instead, they hand the Lakers legend a broom to clean up the broken glass.

Shaq’s early years in the league

The Reebok commercial anticipates Shaquille O’Neal’s upcoming dominance of the NBA. The Big Diesel created a buzz of excitement after his arrival in the NBA in 1992 as the first overall pick. The expectations surrounding him can be gauged by him making a commercial with NBA legends as a rookie.

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via Getty

However, Shaq would exceed all expectations in his early years in the league. The 15-time All-Star would make it to the NBA’s All-Time Top 50 players list in 1996 at the young age of 23.

Moreover, he would break all NBA records by signing with the Lakers the same year for a whopping $120 million seven-year deal.

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What is your opinion of the Shaq-Bill Russell commercial? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box.

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Written by:

Satagni Sikder

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Satagni Sikder is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He has a Master's degree in English from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and has been following the NBA since 2017. Moreover, he supports the Dallas Mavericks, and unsurprisingly, Luka Doncic is his favorite player.
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Edited by:

Melroy Fernandes