As one of many biggest WNBA gamers of all time, Candace Parker has definitely been in her share of high-energy moments. She’s been within the place of getting to make large performs on the basketball courtroom and, due to her efforts, she earned quite a few accolades. Nevertheless, even a professional like Parker can get thrown off a bit each on and off the courtroom, and that was the case when she flew on good buddy Shaquille O’Neal’s non-public jet. Parker just lately (and humorously) recalled what occurred, and it feels like one thing out of a TV present.
Shaq and Candace Parker have lengthy been acquainted with one another, as each labored collectively for years for TNT Sports activities, particularly engaged on Contained in the NBA. Parker mentioned her friendship with the humorous former middle whereas showing on Jimmy Kimmel Dwell! (as seen on YouTube). Visitor host Anthony Anderson ultimately prompted to Parker to debate the non-public airplane story, which she says was set in movement after Shaq made the Los Angeles Sparks icon a form supply:
I used to be new to the [NBA on TNT] crew, and we have been in North Carolina doing a shoot. And he was like, ‘I’m going to LA, simply hop on my PJ.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, that beats getting in line at Delta and, , all that stuff.’ So I hop on his PJ. This dude DJ’ed on full blast for 4 hours and 38 minutes after which proceeded [for] the final 35 minutes to go to sleep and snore louder than the music. In order that was the primary and the final time that I took Shaq’s airplane.
For many who aren’t conscious, Shaquille O’Neal is certainly a DJ and has been one for a number of years now. The mere considered being on a airplane with him whereas he blasts music for hours on finish is exhausting, so I can’t think about having been in Candace Parker’s place. On high of that, as Anthony Anderson defined throughout the interview, O’Neal’s music of selection is Digital Dance Music (or EDM), which options loud and distinctive beats. Parker additionally revealed how O’Neal makes use of these tunes within the office:
I work with him on Tuesday nights, and [EDM] is within the viewing room once we’re attempting to look at the NBA video games. He’s our private DJ, however you gotta love the massive fella.
Subsequent to his Contained in the NBA co-host, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal could also be some of the eccentric personalities in sports activities media (and presumably popular culture as a complete). He’s lengthy mentioned his love of being a DJ, a gig that he says offers him the identical sort of “adrenaline increase” {that a} championship sport offers him with. That’s not the one means O’Neal produces music, as he’s additionally a rapper – and considers himself to be the GOAT amongst gamers who’ve gotten into the enterprise.
Shaq could tend to blast loud music and interact in wild, on-air antics, however he’s additionally recognized for being enjoyable and beneficiant. In relation to his generosity, the 15-time NBA All-Star just lately tipped a server $1,000 whereas visiting a restaurant in Texas. He’s additionally been recognized to interact in different acts of kindness, with paying the invoice for a complete eatery or shopping for a child some sneakers. So there are many layers to the gregarious former middle.
Candace Parker received’t be working with Shaquille O’Neal shifting ahead, as she’ll function a sport and studio analyst for Prime Video beginning this fall. Primarily based on how she talks about O’Neal throughout the interview, the three-time WNBA champion will certainly preserve her friendship with the massive man. I simply wouldn’t anticipate Parker to ever fly on her pal’s non-public jet once more.