NBA Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O'Neal has reportedly just signed an extension deal with Turner Sports. Shaq has been quite the hit since joining the media company as a host nearly a decade ago, and Turner Sports obviously want to keep him on board for the long haul.

The monetary details of the deal were not disclosed, but the report stated that O'Neal is expected to take on an “expanded role” with the current shows he is on.

Shaq could not help but look back at how it all started for him in the field of sportscasting, admitting that it was not the easiest transition for him at first:

“I wanted to be a professional like you, but the producer said, ‘We didn’t bring you here for that,’” O’Neal recalled to Mark Medina of USA TODAY Sports. “‘This isn’t ESPN. We don’t want you to look at the cameras. We don’t want the analytics. We want you to be yourself.’ So once I started following that, I became more comfortable.”

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There's no denying that former Los Angeles Lakers star's unique personality is one of the main reasons why he has become so popular as a broadcaster. However, he is also quick to credit his “Inside the NBA” co-hosts in Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson:

“We realize that if we’re going to keep you up late after games that we have to entertain you,” O’Neal said. “We have two Hall-of-Famers up there, a guy that has won a championship and the most consummate professional in Ernie Johnson. People know and trust our work. We’re always going to make you laugh. The greatest thing is that it’s natural. People always say is that scripted? No, it’s just off the top.”

“Inside the NBA” is indeed one of the most entertaining basketball shows today, and it is thanks in large part to O'Neal and his chemistry with his co-hosts. It is only right that Turner Sports lock up the big man for the foreseeable future.