The NBA legend aims to avoid repeating past controversies involving the WNBA star

Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, recently found himself navigating a delicate situation during a podcast appearance with Dwight Howard and Adam Lefkoe.

The discussion turned to Angel Reese, a rising star in the WNBA, prompting O’Neal to intervene swiftly to prevent any potential controversy.

During the conversation, Howard mentioned Reese‘s increasing visibility, prompting Lefkoe to remark, “That’s Shaq’s girl.” O’Neal immediately responded, “Watch out! Watch out! Yeah, hey, watch out!”

This quick intervention was a clear attempt to steer the conversation away from any sensitive topics related to Reese. Howard acknowledged the situation, saying, “He right, though. I shouldn’t have said that one.”

A history of controversy

This incident follows a previous controversy involving O’Neal and Reese. During an appearance on Reese‘s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, O’Neal made comments about Reese‘s attire and the potential for increased merchandise sales if she were to dunk more frequently.

Reese appeared uncomfortable with the remarks, and the comments sparked backlash on social media, with many criticizing O’Neal for his inappropriate comments.

O’Neal later explained that his comments were intentional and part of a strategy to generate publicity for the podcast.

He stated, “For example, the Angel stuff. Y’all don’t think that was done purposely? It was because I know everything I said, you dummies was going to click. We was going to go viral and The Big Podcast Network was going to do what we do to be number 1.”

Moving forward

Given the previous backlash, O’Neal‘s swift response during the recent podcast episode indicates a desire to avoid further controversy involving Reese.

By steering the conversation away from her, O’Neal aims to protect both his and Reese’s reputations and maintain the integrity of their professional relationship.

As public figures, both O’Neal and Reese are under constant scrutiny, and their interactions are often analyzed by fans and the media. O’Neal’s recent actions suggest a more cautious approach moving forward, aiming to support Reese without attracting negative attention.

While the dynamics between mentors and mentees can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, O’Neal’s intervention during the podcast episode reflects a commitment to maintaining a respectful and supportive relationship with Reese.