Shaquille O'Neal remains the premier trickster in the NBA. His latest victim? New York Knicks All-Star Julius Randle.
On Tuesday ahead of the Knicks' showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, O'Neal praised New York head coach Tom Thibodeau and the Most Improved Player frontrunner for the great job they have done in elevating the franchise to contender status. The problem is, O'Neal (intentionally?) botched Randle's name and called him Zach Randolph.
It didn't escape from his fellow commentators, who questioned him for saying the wrong name. However, Shaq went with the good, old “I-forgot-his-name” reason before issuing a shoutout to Randolph.
Shaq: "Thibodeau is doing a great job & Zach Randolph is playing MVP caliber basketball."
Adam Lefkoe: "Hold on, he doesn't play anymore. Julius Randle?"
"Whatever his name is."
"You said Zach Randolph."
"Oh I was thinking about my boy Zach."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 12, 2021
Let's make one thing clear: there's no way Shaquille O'Neal would have forgotten Julius Randle's name. After all, most Knicks news have him in the headline, having virtually secured New York a playoff spot in what has been an All-Star and MVP-caliber year for him.
Obviously, Shaq is trolling the forward. While it may seem disrespectful for Knicks fans, it is worth noting that the NBA legend loves his Purple and Gold and might just be saying stuff to show his support to the Lakers.
Hopefully, Randle sees Shaq's comments before the game and allow it to fuel him to remind the Lakers icon his name. Nothing will be sweeter than that!
No disrespect to Randolph, but Randle has undoubtedly become his own player and is no longer just the big-bodied forward who bullies opposing defenses under the rim. He has become so much better than that.
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