Shaquille O’Neal teased his interest in buying an NBA team last week.
O’Neal, who has built an impressive business empire since his retirement, distanced himself from reports linking him with involvement in buying the Phoenix Suns last month. But, in an interview with CNN, he teased his desire to “go back home” as he reiterated his plan to buy a franchise.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say,” O'Neal said. “It’d probably be disrespectful to say it, but I would like to go back home. I’ll leave that to the viewers to figure out [what it means]. I would like to go back home.”
O’Neal’s comments came whilst in Abu Dhabi for the pre-season games between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. O’Neal was a huge draw as the NBA arrived in the Middle East for the first time and sat down for an exclusive chat with Mirror Sport during the trip.
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He also appeared at the NBA District as Manarat Al Saadiyat was taken over by basketball to create a week-long extravaganza for fans. And whilst speaking on-stage as part of a Q&A, O’Neal was asked a host of questions about his career.
Amongst them was a topical discussion given his links with buying a team - which five current players would he like to sign?
He replied: “Steph Curry, Giannis (Antetokounmpo), Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson and Russell Westbrook.”
Asked the player he enjoys watching most, O’Neal reiterated his love of Golden State Warriors star Curry, branding him “special” amongst a league of impressive shooters.
“I like watching Steph Curry, he’s my favourite player,” he said. “There’s great shooters, but he’s a phenomenal shooter.”
O’Neal touched on a number of aspects as his career, joking that “the only thing I’d change is I missed a lot of free-throws!
“Apart from that, I did it my way, I played with ferocity, came away with four rings, so I’m happy with my career,” he added.
He was also asked his favourite partnership having struck of on-court success with the likes of Penny Hardaway, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant.
“Probably Kobe,” he said, touching on their success with the Los Angeles Lakers including three straight NBA titles. “We spent eight years together and we were able to win three together. Playing with Kobe was very, very special.”
He noted how he “only played two years” with Wade at the Miami Heat.
Asked to name his all-time dream starting five, O’Neal again opted to select the late Kobe Bryant in a star-studded side alongside Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and himself.
