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NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal continues to maintain a link with the NBA World even after retirement. He enjoys a budding relationship with his TNT co-hosts, two of whom are former NBA players as well. He also shares a friendship with sports journalists and analysts from other television networks as well. One name in particular that stands out is ESPN hotshot Stephen A. Smith.

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Smith recently came back to the spotlight after rumors spread that a prominent NFL Star is set to join his show. Shaq then took to social media to share the news, only a few days after he used it to roast Smith.

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Shaquille O’Neal shares big news about Stephen A. Smith

Recently, a video circulating a social media user’s take on Smith and a former NFL great donning the suits for ESPN made the rounds. It featured the host speaking about what “the streets” wanted and addressed the already circulating rumors that Shannon Sharpe is set to join Smith as co-host on the “First Take”.

Shaquille O’Neal uploaded the reel on his Instagram story, sparking further excitement.

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It all started when Smith talked about wanting Sharpe by his side on a video he uploaded on his Instagram page. According to him, the network is “definitely talking” to Sharpe and the conversations are official. The video can be seen below:

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Shannon Sharpe was earlier associated with Fox Sports 1’s show ‘Undisputed. The show’s other co-host, Skip Bayless, and Shaq’s co-host, Charles Barkley, have shared a rivalry for quite some time now.

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After spending seven years with Undisputed, fans wondered where the former NFL player would go next. They have their answer now, as the rumors have turned true.

READ MORE: Despite Threatening Shaquille O’Neal and 76ers Legend on Live TV, ‘Conscious’ Stephen A. Smith Makes Desperate Public Plea on Threads

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Stephen A. Smith doesn’t mind his “brother” roasting him

Before Shaq endorsed Smith’s news on Instagram, he was involved in a roasting session with the latter as well.

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While other people watched Stephen A. Smith’s above announcement in order to get a definite answer about the rumors, the former Los Angeles Lakers player was watching it to find anything he could use to roast the journalist. And so he did.

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Noticing that the sports analyst was wearing a sleeveless shirt that highlighted his arms, Shaq took to the comments section to make some fun. “if u dont put them little arms away,” he said while referring to Smith’s arms.

To Smith’s credit, he took it all in his stride. Responding to the comment, Smith talked about how even though Shaq is roasting the journalist, his comment is an assurance to people that Shaq listens to what he has to say. He knows that Shaq is proud of him and calls the former player his “brother.”.

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Smith concluded his monologue by stating that whenever Shaq comes to his show, he is gonna prepare a list of things that can be used to roast the big player. Henceforth, beware of any Shaq roasts when the two meet soon!

WATCH THIS STORY | After ESPN Shut Doors on Stephen A. Smith’s Colleagues, NBA Millionaire Breaks Silence Only to Accept Harsh Reality of Lay Off

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Written by

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Ashmit Kumar

2,900 Articles

Ashmit Kumar is a Senior Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports with over three years of experience covering the NBA. A journalism graduate, Ashmit has been a crucial part of EssentiallySports’ NBA live trends desk for the past two seasons. His work extends beyond game coverage to include analysis of player endorsements, brand deals, and Team USA's Olympics campaigns.

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Edited by

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Sharan Nair

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