Shaq Announces He's Not Watching Rest of NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder played a complete game from start to finish on Sunday evening, tying the NBA Finals at one game apiece with the Indiana Pacers.
The Thunder were able to defend their home court with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, getting their first win of the series after their thrilling and dramatic Game 1 loss.
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The Finals have delivered on the hype so far, with stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up big numbers and making iconic moments.
Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the next game in the series, but one former NBA champion says he won't be watching.
After the Thunder tied the series on Sunday night, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith joined NBA TV for post game coverage.
O'Neal took the opportunity to express his gratitude that he could leave after Game 2, as Charles Barkley would join post game coverage for the next two games in Indiana.
'Indiana stole one. I'm just glad it's not the old format, that 2-3-2. Remember that format? That 2-3-2? So now we have a series. I won't even be watching,' O'Neal admitted.
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The old Finals format would have resulted in three straight games in Indiana, which could have had adverse effects on Oklahoma City - the higher seed - playing three straight games on the road.
'I'm gonna be in the Bahamas," O'Neal said. His fellow panelists reminded him that he could still watch the game from his vacation, but he doubled down.
'Not in the ocean,' O'Neal said, affirming his stance.
Some fans were able to enjoy O'Neal's candor as a funny moment, but some have expressed concern and outrage about how he's covered the league this season.
Earlier this year, O'Neal admitted to not watching the Detroit Pistons despite the fact that they were a playoff team and had been one of the most compelling stories in basketball.
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O'Neal, Barkley, Smith and Ernie Johnson will be heading to ESPN next year for a revival of "Inside the NBA." The show has come under fire for the lack of actual basketball analysis from some, but O'Neal's comments seem to indicate that more of the same could be on the way, even at a new network.
Shaq Announces He's Not Watching Rest of NBA Finals first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2025
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