"Shaq would do a commerical for genocide": NBA Twitter reacts to Shaquille O'Neal’s message of support for Israeli victims

By Kevin McCormick

Modified Aug 20, 2024 15:43 GMT

NBA: Finals-Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics - Source: Imagn — NBA Twitter reacts to Shaquille O'Neal’s message (image credit: IMAGN)

Shaquille O'Neal sent a message of support for young Israeli children who survived an attack last year. It didn't take long for NBA fans to clap back at the NBA Hall of Famer.

In the viral clip on social media, O'Neal passed along kind words for those who traveled to Camp Timberlane. He ended his brief message by wishing all the children a Happy New Year.

As the video circulated on social media, NBA fans chimed in with their thoughts on Shaquille O'Neal's actions. Many claimed that the four-time NBA champion will do anything if the paycheck is big enough.

Fans were not pleased with the LA Lakers legend, as many felt he sold out for a payday.

LA Lakers post Shaquille O'Neal highlight reel for NBA's latest social media trend

At this point in the summer, the NBA has hit a lull. The draft and the Summer League are over, and free agency moves have dried up. Most teams have locked in their rosters for next season and are just waiting for the start of training camp.

In an attempt to keep fans engaged, the NBA does numerous trends on social media. Currently, it is doing '#DunkWeek' to highlight some of the best slams in league history. As one of the most dominant big men in history, Shaquille O'Neal is part of the trend.

The LA Lakers' official X account posted a 30-second clip of some of his best poster slams for 'Dunk Week.' It includes his best moments where he not only punished the rim but also opponents who tried to stop him.

O'Neal had a successful run with the LA Lakers and racked up a long list of accolades in the process. He joined the iconic franchise in 1996 after leaving the Orlando Magic in free agency.

During his eight years with the Lakers, O'Neal was one of the NBA's top talents. Alongside a young Kobe Bryant, he led the franchise to three consecutive championships. Among his other notable achievements was winning the MVP award in 2000.

After failing to win a fourth championship in 2004, O'Neal's time with the Lakers came to an end. The front office traded him to the Miami Heat, and joined forces with Dwyane Wade. Once again paired with an emerging superstar guard, he added another championship to his collection in 2006.

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

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