Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal responded to Kanye West’s criticism on Thursday night after the controversial rapper turned his attention away from antisemitism and towards the four-time NBA champion over his business affairs.
The whole kerfuffle began earlier in the week when O’Neal took shots at Kyrie Irving over the Brooklyn Nets star’s antisemitic comments and refusal to apologize.
“I know the game we used to love and we promote, it brings people together,” O’Neal said. “And it hurts me sometimes when we have to sit up here to talk about stuff that divides the game. Now we got to answer for what this idiot has done.”
Perhaps seeing some kinship in Irving over their shared dislike of Jewish people, West came to his defense and went on the offensive against Shaq and his business dealings with Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1588326688814792705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1588326688814792705%7Ctwgr%5E77379587395cf5cdc0b7124412256a0e9087e963%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fsports%2Fshaquille-oneal-responds-kanye-west-criticism-about-business-dealings-worry-about-your-business
In a series of tweets, West called out Salter for allegedly taking advantage of the people he does business with. As TMZ Sports notes, Authentic Brands Group, which is owned by Salter, manages O’Neal’s name and likeness.
Unfazed, O’Neal took to Twitter Thursday night to push back on West and his attack.
Believe me you don’t know me like that. Worry about your business, and to quote the once great Kanye west “ I got more money than you, so why would i listen to you” take my advice get your family business in order. Have a great day brother.
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) November 4, 2022
“Believe me you don’t know me like that,” said Shaq. “Worry about your business, and to quote the once great Kanye west “ I got more money than you, so why would i listen to you” take my advice get your family business in order. Have a great day brother.”
Shaq might be literally right about that as West has reportedly lost billions since going on his antisemitic and racist tirades.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.