While player movement has given athletes complete agency over their moves, it has robbed fans of one major aesthetic. For previous generations, the opportunity for their favorite stars to team up was an off-season novelty. Nowadays, it is the trend. So, seeing a legendary line-up involving Shaquille O’Neal, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and LeBron James was premium viewing.

Shaq’s NBA-bound son agreed as he was in awe of the matchup featuring some of the modern game’s greatest.

The Greatest Unknown Matchup

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. To 2003. While the Los Angeles Lakers were dominating the NBA, a young high school sensation was taking over the league. Meanwhile, names like Allen Iverson and Jamal Crawford were bringing street culture to the league. Rap icons Jay-Z and Fat Joe were setting up a game for the ages, bringing together hoopers from all fronts.

Even the 2003 draft’s #1 pick, LeBron James was set to join Hov’s team at Rucker Park. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

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The city came to a halt in lieu of the Blackout. As a result, the match did not take place. To this day, it remains the “The Greatest Matchup That Never Was.”

As the Boardroom shared advertisements and clips from that timeframe, Shaq’s son Shaqir O’Neal was in complete shock about the existence of such a game. Sharing it on his IG story with the caption, “omg”,?the miracle kid was in awe.

However, it wasn’t just basketball that was going to be a draw at the event. Instead, an entire showcase, complete with entrances and the like was set for the show. Even though it ultimately lives on as a fantasy, the clips give us an idea of what a spectacular show was in store for the fans.

Shaquille O’Neal had an entrance ready

As revealed in the clips from members attending,?“Shaq was on ice ready to roll in. He had his own arrival.” The big man from Los Angeles even confirmed his appearance. “Yeah, I was on the bus.”?

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But, there was a special reason for O’Neal to be making an appearance. In spite of 3 championships to his name, he wanted to end the debate between himself and Houston Rockets‘ Yao Ming.

“I wanted to make the Brick City Energy…Jay-Z sent the plane and I came up because they said Fat Joe had Yao Ming…You know I gotta come shut that down.”

While everyone was ready to come out and ball, with Jay-Z and Fat Joe as team captains, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Tragedy struck the city and everyone went into a Blackout, as 50 million people lost power.

As a result, the game did not take place. But, to this day, it remains one of the greatest What-Ifs outside the NBA.

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