Shaquille O’Neal has firmly denied viral claims suggesting he contacted pop singer Sabrina Carpenter through direct messages, dismissing the circulating screenshots as fabricated.
The rumors gained traction after a social media post featuring alleged message exchanges spread rapidly online. The Lakers legend addressed the situation during a March 20 episode of The Big Podcast, where he reviewed the post alongside co-host Bailey Jackson and guest Jim Jones.
“I’m gonna show you something on social media about me. So, I want you to tell me if it’s me or if it’s not me. Alright, read that,” O’Neal said, inviting them to examine the screenshots.
After reading portions of the alleged exchange aloud, he quickly shut down the claims, questioning the authenticity of the viral content. “Thank you. Yeah, that went viral. Look, you see that? First of all, ladies, the Diesel got way more game than that. I’m just saying.”
During the discussion, Jones also weighed in on the broader issue of online misinformation, highlighting how easily content can be manipulated. He described social media as “wild,” adding that a computer “could do anything,” reinforcing concerns about the spread of fabricated posts.
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The screenshots in question appeared to show a profile resembling Shaquille O’Neal’s social media account, but no verified source has substantiated any interaction between him and Sabrina Carpenter.
As of March 26, Carpenter has not publicly commented on the claims, and her representatives have yet to respond to media inquiries, leaving the viral speculation unaddressed.
Shaquille O’Neal Picks Michael Jordan As The GOAT
After addressing the viral claims regarding Sabrina Carpenter, Shaquille O’Neal shifted the conversation back to basketball and discussed the greatest of all time debate with guest Jim Jones.
O’Neal said Michael Jordan stands above others based on his performance and record in the NBA Finals. “Mike is the greatest of all time because of how he played, how he dominated and he never lost in the finals,” O’Neal said.
He added, “I played with Kobe (Bryant). I know what a killer he was. But to me, as a kid and going against (MJ), then being the only guy to beat him in the playoffs, for him to retire after three and then come back and get three. Yeah, he was a different animal.”
O’Neal referenced his experience playing alongside Kobe Bryant while explaining his view on elite competitors. He also discussed LeBron James, comparing him to a more advanced version of Magic Johnson and noting differences in how the modern game is played.
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The discussion concluded with O’Neal returning to basketball analysis following his response to the viral social media claims.
