Stories of jokes and activities in the locker room are common in basketball mythology, providing a humorous look at the funnier aspects of the sport’s fierce rivalry. However, one of the most ridiculous situations involving none other than the iconic Shaquille O’Neal has just come to light through statements made by former NBA player Matt Barnes. However, as the flip side of this occurrence reverberates through the pages of the game, it raises the question, what happened behind closed doors in the NBA locker room?

Audiences haven’t seen many dimensions of Shaquille O’Neal’s off-court behaviors, considering his stellar record as an aggressive rival on the basketball floor. But in his newest podcast interview, Matt Barnes revealed one of the most ridiculous practical jokes the NBA champion has pulled. Providing an unusual peek into the humorous but mischievous side of the basketball legendary, Barnes described an astonishing event between Shaq and his teammate Lou Amundson.

Getting Things Started: A Regular Shootaround

Barnes claims that the event happened during a typical shootaround, and Shaquille O’Neal took advantage of the situation to pull off his daring joke. Shaq’s complex plan included Lou Amundson unintentionally, so the former Lakers player discreetly hid Amundson’s mouthpiece in a pretty unusual place—his own “nuts**k.” Despite the absurdity of it, Shaq kept a straight face the whole shootaround practice while hiding Amundson’s mouthpiece under his shorts.

During the conversation, Matt Barnes also mentioned, “Shaq put Lou’s mouthpiece in his tights and put it up underneath his n*ts. If I’m not if I’m lying I’m gonna throw him, bro. I’m sorry, big fella. If he didn’t know and put it in this, oh, oh I’m lying I’m flying. So everyone knew but Lou. So Shaq goes through a whole shootaround with Lou’s mouthpiece under his nutsack and put it back in his locker. “ “And then before the game, like Lou, like a coach would be talking to lose always. Someone’s going to kind of get up, put his mouthpiece in, and jump around because he’s an energy dude, bro. He put that in his mouth. Everyone died. He laid out on the ground,” he added.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Joy to the Locker Room: Enigmatizing Comedy Discovered

Barnes went on to recount the event, recalling the moment when Amundson took his mouthpiece and put it in his mouth without realizing Shaq was up to no good. As teammates learned of Shaquille O’Neal’s practical joke, they erupted in laughter, sending shivers down the spine of the locker room. Barnes remembered how Shaq’s cheerful disposition and lighthearted pranks frequently lightened the mood, encouraging camaraderie among colleagues, despite the utter insanity of the circumstance.

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In the interview, Barnes stated, “Shaq was the funniest dude ever.” He continued, “Like, you know. I ain’t Shaq. But Shaq was crazy.” The disclosure of Shaquille O’Neal’s locker room joke provides an insight into the lighthearted dynamic that frequently characterizes professional basketball teams’ cultures.

Even though the situation can seem ridiculous to outsiders, it highlights the friendship and support that form among teammates beyond the confines of rivalry. Shaq’s willingness to partake in such silly activities says a lot about his character, highlighting his capacity to promote team harmony.

Continue Reading: Kevin Durant’s Unstoppable Climb: The Next Threat to Shaq’s Legacy?