The relationship between Dr. Shaquille O’Neal and new Sacramento State head coach Mike Bibby is already proving to be a wild one. Though Bibby is quick to praise O’Neal’s decision to take on a voluntary GM role, Shaq says it’s not that simple. He claims Bibby “threatened” him into the job and then recounted a story about a time the two almost got into a physical fight.

The Big Aristotle cleared the air and joked about Mike Bibby’s persuasion skills. “Because you threatened me. Don’t let this guy fool you. He’s one of the meanest light-skinned guys in the world.” This was during the Straight Game Podcast‘s live edition in front of a packed house at the Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass. The Big Diesel then revealed their animosity wasn’t just trash talk.

“I’m going to tell a story. I respect you because when all that stuff was going on between us, him and his boys actually tried to fight me and my boys like a real fight. No, like a real fight. So, I always respected him.” While the story is not recent, it sheds light on a mutual respect that makes their current partnership so unique. Before Shaquille O’Neal was hired as GM in April, Bibby recruited the Lakers legend’s son. Shaqir O’Neal, in March, announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal and leave the Rattlers after just one season.

A week later, he joined Sacramento State. That’s when the initial discussion began between the former NBA stars. “So, when I found out you got the job, and you called and asked about my son. My son’s been, you know, in and out of colleges. I thought that was commendable of you,” Shaq said. The respect O’Neal gained from that moment, combined with their history, made it impossible to turn down the GM offer.

As O’Neal said, he considers Bibby a friend, “even though you were a fake foe, not a real foe.” This wasn’t the last time the rivalry came up on the podcast, however.

Kings rivalry haunts Mike Bibby on the podcast

The rivalry was at its peak during the Kings and the Lakers’ battle in the early 2000s. The two were involved in a fierce battle back in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. As we all know, the Lakers won over the Kings in Game 7. Winning on the hardwood was not enough, so Shaq called the Kings the “Sacramento Queens” and questioned Bibby’s legitimacy as a top player. But as O’Neal clarified, it was only trash talk.

After the recording ended and the floor was opened to fans, one young hooper asked Shaquille O’Neal about his favorite moment in the NBA. The answer was immediate and brought the house down. “Beating the Sacramento Kings,” said the Diesel. Bibby, well-aware of ShaqFu’s playful nature, should have seen it coming.

Shaquille O’Neal even hinted at this during the early segment of the podcast. “And I always tell people if you want to make it to the next level, at least have a conversation with somebody that’s been there. You played at a super high level. You probably would have got one done if …” Bibby was quick to cut O’Neal, and it came back to haunt him, as another fan question came.

The question was beautiful: “most memorable moment” alongside Kobe Bryant. While many expected something more along the lines of nostalgia and unheard stories, O’Neal doubled down, answering with the same phrase: “Beating the Sacramento Kings.” The full-circle story, from a bitter rivalry to a partnership with a fan-favorite GM and Bibby at the helm of a program where his son plays, is a storyline few could have predicted.