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Hours After Wholesome Hug With Fan Half His Size, Emotional Farewell on Live TV Has Shaquille O’Neal Stretching His Vocal Chords

Published 05/30/2023, 8:50 AM EDT

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The 2022-23 NBA season is close to the finish line and the excitement among fans is palpable. However, ahead of the highly anticipated Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, the NBA world got emotional due to the conclusion of the fan favorite show, Inside the NBA. Joining fans in displaying his disappointment, Shaquille O’Neal, who shared a wholesome moment with some young fans on an emotional night for the TNT crew, showcased his singing talent along with his co-hosts.

Inside the NBA stands as one of the most beloved basketball shows on TV, primarily due to the camaraderie between NBA Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. The duo has garnered a significant fan base, with many viewers expressing sadness as the latest season concluded.

Shaquille O’Neal showcased his singing talent

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During a segment on the last episode of the season of Inside the NBA, the hosts took the time to read out tweets from their followers. Among the messages, one fan expressed his disappointment at the impending conclusion of the beloved show. In response, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith attempted to seemingly console the fan by playfully singing a well-known tune.

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A Twitter user expressed the sentiment, “The Last Inside the NBA of the season.” O’Neal and Smith responded by singing, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to TNT,” showing their heartfelt appreciation for their dedicated fans. Their enthusiastic singing demonstrated their unrestrained emotions. O’Neal didn’t seem to miss a beat as he showcased his talent to the world once again. The 7’1 giant released multiple well received rap albums during the 90s, which featured the likes of Notorious B.I.G. and others. However, that wasn’t Shaq’s only emotional moment recently.

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O’Neal was seen embracing a bunch of young fans ahead of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston.

Shaquille O’Neal seen catching up with his young fans

Ahead of the decisive game of the Eastern Conference Finals, a group of young boys approached Shaquille O’Neal, prompting the four-time NBA champion to encourage them to give him a hug. This led to a heartwarming moment where Shaq, along with his co-hosts, engaged in a friendly hug exchange.

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As one of the young boys was heading back to his seat, he couldn’t contain his excitement and exclaimed, “You’re better than Kobe.” Shaq playfully responded, “Don’t yell in my ear.” Witnessing the NBA legend warmly embrace his young fans was truly touching.

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The young fan was spotted wearing a Boston Celtics jersey, perhaps finding solace in Shaquille O’Neal’s embrace amidst the disappointment of the Celtics’ season coming to an end.

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Barkley dismantles Shaquille O’Neal on live television.

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Written by:

Aaditya Negi

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Aaditya is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports and has been following the game for a number of years. He is an avid fan of the NBA and follows what’s happening in the league on a daily basis. Having worked as an intern in the sports domain, his passion for writing arose from his fondness for the intricacies of the game.
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Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty