Shaquille O’Neal just admitted that he isn’t in touch with his NBA colleagues.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player, revealed to the New York Postin a story that he no longer texts former or current players in the league.
When asked who he keeps in touch with, O’Neal said: “None. I don’t like athletes or superstars because they’re assholes.”
“I denied myself being a celebrity 10 years ago because those people are weird. I’m not weird,” he added.
He noted that he approaches things more down to earth and moves through life differently than other NBA players, something he is fine with.
“Every time I come, it’s just me and two guys. No entourage. Only homeboys come in,” he explained, adding, “We come here, we take care of business… we sign autographs. We treat people with honor and respect. I want to be a regular guy.”
In the past, O’Neal has not shied away from sharing his thoughts on negative things that have happened in the league.
In October, he said he was “ashamed” of NBA head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones for their arrests in connection with an alleged mob-related gambling scheme.
While hosting Inside the NBA, O’Neal said he knew Billups and Jones, with whom he played on the Miami Heat, “very” well and that he was “embarrassed that those guys would put their families and careers in jeopardy.”
“There’s an old saying around: ‘All money ain’t good money,'” said Shaquille O’Neal, “So if you make nine million dollars… how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you could get jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself, your family or the NBA.”
