Not many NBA players could say they got consoled by the Big Aristotle after the giant crushed them. One New York legend gets those bragging rights. George “The Messiah” Papoutsis is an icon for a lot of things. Added to that list is taking on the guy who manhandled Dikembe Mutombo, live to tell the tale albeit after going viral, getting glared down, and then receiving the ultimate compliment. Papoutsis personally flexed that last thing while the Internet is still thrilled with him bringing Shaquille O’Neal out of retirement.

O’Neal came to New York with a to-do list. Spread sweetness through the sneaker edition of Shaq-a-Licious XL gummies; check. Give kids free sneakers; check. Do one random act of kindness; unplanned but check. Beat The Messiah; big check.

After that thrilling showdown, Papoutsis squeezed through the crowd to get a hug from Shaq. Apart from making The Messiah look puny, O’Neal told the nearest camera, “My boy George got more heart than most of you NBA dudes.”

The last time he did the same to a New York guy – Chris Dudley, circa 1999, Shaq stepped on him and even glared him down – Shaq didn’t bother playing nice. Dudley didn’t get a hug and compliment. Both got techs actually.

There are offensive masters like Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady who were beat down into the paint when O’Neal drove to the basket. Most walked away with bruises from Shaq’s elbows (his self-proclaimed favorite move) after taking on the Lakers in the ’00s. None of these players got consoled by their terorrizer himself. You’d have to be as cool as The Messiah for that.

Shaquille O’Neal came out of retirement for The Messiah

Charles Barkley’s trash talk hasn’t convinced Shaq to slide onto the court for a 1vs1. TNT only manages to provoke Shaq into some comedy basketball because the Inside Guys are very concerned for the injury-prone center. TNT’s unscripted madness almost overshadows the segments where Shaq (and sometimes Chuck) call out NBA players like Rudy Gobert and Zion Williamson if they whine about foul trouble.

A few months ago, O’Neal struck a nerve by saving, “The league is getting soft, the game is getting soft, and it’s going to take a couple of people to bring it back.” His comment about ‘NBA dudes’ shows he still believes the same despite the backlash he got then.

You know who doesn’t mind a little elbow? The Messiah. George Papoutsis did what most have failed at – get Shaquille O’Neal out of retirement. Although it was just for a few minutes but it was something.

The NBA legend and the streetball legend met at Pier 36 for one official challenge – first basket wins. Papoutsis couldn’t aim over the 7’1″ giant and make the shot sink at the same time. O’Neal did his thing, backed the 70+ year old into the paint and throw the ball into the basket.

If that was not enough, he stared down the man 20 years his senior. In NBA circles, that usually preludes a feud. Here it was totally different.

Papoutsis later made it known that he and his opponent are cool. “It’s all love 🏀🔥 God bless you @shaq. Grateful for unforgettable day with @shaqalicious_official at @basketballcitynyc,” he wrote on his popular Instagram page.

We didn’t know we need a Shaq vs Messiah matchup until now. So no one’s forgetting the big-hearted MDE and the ballin’ cab driver with more heart than NBA dudes made history in a minute-long game.