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What would you do if suddenly the world around you plunged into darkness? Well, something similar happened almost two decades ago in New York. A recently resurfaced clip takes us back in time to the most iconic street ball game that never happened due to the blackout. The Blackout prevented the match, which would have seen the legends Shaquille O?Neal and LeBron James play together as a team.?

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Famed rappers Jay-Z and Fat Joe are two iconic artists who created ripples through the new growing world of music. However, they were also competitors who were battling to reach the top. And in 2003, they settled in Rucker Park. Yes, you read it right; they decided to host a basketball game on August 14, 2003, and have their best squads compete against each other.

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The iconic game featuring Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James

The match featured some of the finest basketball players. Some were already ruling on the court, while some were future legends, such as LeBron James.

READ MORE: LeBron James Gives Tribute to Lakers Legend Robert Horry Ahead of Final Game at Staples Center

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Rapper Jay Z’s team featured James, Shaquille O?Neal, Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom Sebastian Telfair; Fat Joe?s team?had Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming, Stephon Marbury, and Jermaine O?Neal.

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In the resurfaced clip, the crowd was seen waiting patiently for the game. However, things took a different turn when the lights went off. There was much hype and excitement surrounding the match which went up in flames.

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The disappointment on the players? faces was obvious. Former NBA player Carmelo Anthony, one of the best shooters in the game was part of the Terror Squad. Expressing his disappointment, he said, ?I was going to play with Fat Joe and the Terror Squad. We were supposed to play against Jay Z and then the blackout happened?.

The powerful duo of Shaquille O?Neal and LeBron James

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Jay Z’s team had O?Neal and Lakers legend James on its roster. Considered ?The Chosen One,? James already had the people?s attention. He was drafted in the year 2003 as the No. 1 pick.

While the Big Man already had established himself in the NBA world, their team-up at the match could have been a historic moment to witness. However, before his retirement, O’Neal joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009. The two led the Cavaliers to the 2009-10 semi-finals but ended up losing against Boston Celtics.

But looking back in 2003, which team do you think would have won the match?? Do tell us in the comments.?

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Written by

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Pritha Debroy

3,476 Articles

Pritha Debroy works with the NFL Lifestyle Desk at EssentiallySports, where she explores the league beyond the sidelines and focuses on the cultural nuances of football. Bringing a fresh perspective shaped by her background in basketball lifestyle stories and cross-sport expertise, she highlights how NFL athletes build influence off the field. A graduate of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our in-house initiative that trains writers under industry experts, Pritha specializes in long-form features and player-driven stories that capture the evolving identity of today’s NFL stars. Pritha combines her passion for storytelling with a thoughtful approach to sports culture and lifestyle. With strong communication skills and an eye for detail, she brings a distinctive voice to NFL journalism, delivering engaging and insightful content that resonates with readers.

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Saumya Khanduja

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