SUMMARY
- Shaquille O'Neal won against Michael Phelps in a swimming race during an episode of "Shaq vs".
- O'Neal's proudest moment from completing a lob pass from Kobe Bryant during the 2000 NBA Western Conference Finals.
Shaquille O’Neal was certainly a force to be reckoned with while he competed in the NBA and despite it being years since his retirement, the 52-year-old takes great care of himself. These days, we find Shaq serving as an analyst on TNT while making guest appearances on podcasts, daytime television shows, movies, and music festivals. The 4x NBA Champion never fails to sit idle.
Nearly 15 years ago, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player starred on his on TV show called “Shaq vs” where he challenged other individuals in fields that they best perform in. One episode featured 23x Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, known as the greatest Olympian that ever lived. Shaq and Phelps went head-to-head in a swimming race and the results may shock you.
Fans are left impressed by Shaquille O’Neal’s abilities
During the race, Phelps was given a 5-second disadvantage in addition to an extra lap while Shaquille O’Neal was rewarded with a head start from the opposite end from where the American Olympian began. Phelps took under 10 seconds to complete his first lap but it was Shaq who ended up taking the victory in a photo finish.
Crazy! Let’s go Shaq!
— Loos (@Loosinairy) July 23, 2024
I’m impressed.
— Whatsup – The Purple Whale (@80strolls) July 24, 2024
shaq for the win, those moves are impressive.
— pattheaven ⛈ (@pattheaven) July 23, 2024
Shaq a generational athlete
— derrick.606 (@laminee19) July 23, 2024
Damnnn shaq got em arms and speed for his stature fr!
— R3GGi3 (@manlike_r3gg) July 23, 2024
After the video resurfaced on the internet, fans were left impressed by what Shaq managed to do against the athlete who defined the sport of swimming. One fan said, “Shaq [is] a generational athlete.” Another fan added, “Damnnn shaq got em arms and speed for his stature fr!” Despite his large stature, Shaq took 18.14 seconds to complete the race.
Beating the former Olympian isn’t Shaquille O’Neal’s proudest moment
Phelps wasn’t the only person Shaq challenged on his TV show. He also competed against prominent figures such as Oscar de la Hoya, Albert Pujols, Ben Roethlisberger, and even Justin Bieber in a dance battle. But these challenges weren’t exactly Shaq’s most memorable moment. During a guest on Running Wild with Bear Grylls, O’Neal claimed that his proudest moment happened during the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers weren’t too far ahead of the Blazers during Game 7 of the WCF. Kobe Bryant gave the Lakers a four-point lead with close to a minute left in the game. After dribbling the ball into the Lakers’ side of the court, Bryant faked a drive to the basket and lobbed the ball to Shaq who managed to dunk the ball and officially hand over LA a victory. It was during the 2000 NBA Finals that Shaq and Kobe eventually won their first title together.