Shaquille O’Neal took the time to set the record straight after a viral post jokingly suggested that he and former NBA player Paul Pierce imbibed cannabis edibles during the Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
When O’Neal, 52, and Pierce, 46, were spotted sitting courtside at TD Garden in Boston during the ABC broadcast, several users on X (formerly known as Twitter) addressed the duet in meme fashion, highlighting Pierce’s sunglasses and anxious expression.
One of the most popular posts about their appearance came from podcaster Travonne Edwards who wrote, “This edible ain’t shit” with two laughing emojis over a screenshot of O’Neal and Pierce.
But when O’Neal saw the post a day later, the former Celtic responded in the third person to clarify that he didn’t use edibles.
“Shaq doesn’t make edibles you idiot, stop trying to show off with stupid tweets,” O’Neal wrote in his response to Edwards.
THE Inside the NBA The host said he wore sunglasses “because I’m a brilliant idiot”, and added: “Everyone knows I’m a hookah man.”
Fans responded to O’Neal to let him know that the suggestion in the original tweet was more aimed at Pierce, who seemed uncomfortable and overwhelmed when he appeared on the show.
“Shaq bro I think they were talking about Pierce,” one user wrote.
Another said: “Should have told Paul Pierce to throw in some sunglasses too.”
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O’Neal and Pierce appeared to be in good spirits in Boston for Game 2. In a video shared by NBA on TNT, the retired pros laughed as O’Neal pretended to sleep in his seat before the game started , which also fueled anger. jokes about his relaxed state.
The Celtics took a two-game lead over the Mavericks during the game, despite O’Neal’s prediction that Boston had no defense for Dallas star Luka Doncic.
“The Celtics don’t have three or four guys who can guard Luka. I love Dallas in this series. I like the way they play,” O’Neal said May 30.
Game 3 between the Celtics and Mavericks will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 12.
