Former NBA All-Star center and current TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal responded to a tweet about his weight from FOXSports.com’s Jason Whitlock by challenging the writer to a fight.
Whitlock sent the following tweet to “Inside the NBA” before Tuesday’s season-opening game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat began:
Right now, Chuck would win Shirt-Off II… Shaq is opening the season out of shape, as usual. #nbaontnt
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) October 31, 2012
Whitlock was referencing the weight-loss competition Shaq and fellow TNT analyst Charles Barkley had last season. Shaq was declared the winner (thanks in part to his painted-on abs), but Whitlock thinks Chuck looks better now. The second part of Whitlock’s tweet was another jab at Shaq, who tended to show up out of shape at the beginning of most NBA seasons.
You know Shaq wasn’t about to take the criticism without fighting back.
“Jason Whitlock: I tell you what,” he said. “You can come here and box me any time you want!
“All muscle right here, baby, trust me,” Shaq said, pointing to his body.
“Jason Whitlock, I’ll use one hand, you use two, I’ll get on my knees! Anytime, anyplace. You don’t know who you’re talking to!” said O’Neal.
After the show came back from commercial, Shaq was shown a picture of a rotund Whitlock laying on the couch.
“That’s him? That’s the pot calling the kettle black!” said Shaq.
What was Whitlock’s response?
What did Shaq say? He didn’t hear about P90Whitlock? ….
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) October 31, 2012
Shaq is known for getting into fights with fellow media members (see this and this), and he loves challenging people to fights. If Whitlock agrees to a fight, he would have to wait in line behind the huge Korean kickboxer, and Jose Canseco.
My suggestion? How about a three-way shirt-off competition between Shaq, Chuck, and Whitlock? Whatta you say, fellas?
