Shaquille O’Neal just admitted that he is not in contact with any of his NBA peers.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player, revealed to the New York Post, in a story, that he no longer texts any former or current players in the league.
When asked who he keeps in contact with, O’Neal said, “None. I don’t like athletes or superstars because they’re a**holes.”
“I denounced myself from being a celebrity about 10 years ago because those people are weird. I’m not weird,” he added.
He noted that he has a more down-to-earth approach to things, and that he moves through life differently from other NBA players, which is something he is fine with.
“Whenever I come, it’s me and two guys. No entourage. There’s nothing but homeboys coming in,” he explained, adding, “We come in 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 gone on in the league.
Back 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 gambling scheme tied to the Mafia.
While hosting Inside the NBA, O’Neal said that he knew Billups and Jones, the latter of whom he played with on the Miami Heat, “very” well and that he was “ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy.”
“There’s an old saying in the ‘hood: ‘All money ain’t good money,’” Shaquille O’Neal said, “So, if you’re making $9 million … like, how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you could do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself, your family or on the NBA.”