Between entertaining fans and exploring sights, Shaquille O’Neal is scouting out company for the 2024 All-Star Game. Ahead of the new NBA season, Shaq’s enjoying a Chinese getaway with some work in between. He’ll be back in the cushy NBA on TNT studio soon and will be occupied all the way into the All-Star break. He was trying to give a fan an opportunity to join him but it all went downhill from there.

Big Diesel must’ve jinxed the impromptu free-throw game by uttering his arch-nemesis’ name. At least it got a big reaction from the crowd.

Shaquille O’Neal gives a Chinese fan an All-Star opportunity

A crowd of enthusiastic NBA fans were captivated by Shaquille O’Neal’s wit and humor during his recent trip to China. He spent an entire event showing off his flirting game, inviting fans to the front, signing Los Angeles Lakers jerseys, and hyping up the crowd. And he also enjoyed a game of free throws with fans. It started when his “Girlfriend No. 3” engaged in the game. She originally only had one shot, but the big-hearted giant made up persuasive excuses to let her have two more chances. His help got her a win in the third try.

When a few little kids also missed their shots, Shaq went ahead and carried them to the baskets so they could convert.

After that success, Shaq tried to recreate it with the host of the event. The MC was live-translating for the audience while hosting the NBA event in a Lakers jersey. Towards the end, the host also got into the free-throw action.

He was not carrying the man to the basket the way he lifted the kids. But he provided some heavy motivation.

“If you make this one, you get to hang out with me in the All-Star game next year.” To be clear, Shaq is offering the host and his fan the promise of attending the 2024 NBA All-Star Game with him and Charles Barkley in Indiana. However, Shaq ended up turning the poor MC into public enemy no.1.

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People in the stands started booing to distract him so he won’t get to attend a game with O’Neal. But not on Shaq’s watch. He halted his first attempt to scold the crowd. He cut the jeering and made them cheer for his friend instead. Tragically, all of that Big Diesel big effort was for naught.

The host nearly had it, the ball was inside the rim, but it swerved out of the basket. The player fell to his knees and even Shaq ran away in dismay.

Shaq throws in Charles Barkley in the mix

The NBA season begins later this month and with it, regular broadcasts of Inside the NBA on TNT.

Shaq and Chuck will be back to bickering face-to-face again with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith in the crossfire. And even in the off-season, O’Neal hasn’t missed a chance to bring up Chuck. After his fan missed a shot, Shaq made a secondary offer. “This one, you get to sit in TNT with me and Charles Barkley.”

The magic of the Round Mound of Rebound struck. The host scored a basket and a chance to attend the All-Star game with two All-Star legends.

His fan can also be a great buffer between Shaq and Chuck. We’re going to keep an eye out for Shaquille O’Neal’s new friend at next year’s All-Star Weekend for that.

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