Shaq Drops Bombshells: Untold Kobe Secrets, Shocking NBA Finals Take, ESPN Drama & Why He’s the ‘Black Kelce’ – Plus Wild Big Slick Stories You Won’t Believe! 

In Episode 142 of New Heights, Jason and Travis Kelce sit down with none other than NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the Diesel himself. The nearly two-hour conversation covers everything from Shaq’s take on the current NBA Finals and his upcoming move to ESPN, to hilarious personal anecdotes, Kobe Bryant reflections, his “Black Kelce” fantasy, and a wrap on the Big Slick charity event. Here’s a detailed dive into the episode’s highlights.

⚡ NBA Finals & “Inside the NBA” Crash

Shaq’s thoughts on small market NBA Finals—with Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder—led to a spirited chat. He shared how the Finals feel different without traditional basketball powerhouses, but said it showcases NBA parity and passion league-wide.

Coinciding with the Finals, Shaq made waves off court. Ahead of Game 1, he stormed onto ESPN’s NBA Countdown set—playfully tackling Kendrick Perkins and buzzing Stephen A. Smith—coinciding with Smith’s earlier crash into Shaq’s NBA TV segment  All in good fun, Shaq asserted that when “Inside the NBA” migrates to ESPN next season (still filmed at TNT’s Atlanta studios), they’re not here to play—they’re coming to “kick ass and take names”

🎙️ Joining ESPN: New Home, Same Energy

With TNT losing NBA broadcast rights, Disney’s ESPN acquired full rights and the rights to Inside the NBA, bringing the iconic quartet—Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson—into the Disney fold. Shaq reassured fans nothing will change: the format, banter, and energy will remain intact, only the network changes. His live ESPN shenanigans were a taste of the playful war to come between Stephen A. and the Diesel crew

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💼 The “Black Kelce”: Shaq in Football Mode

A standout moment: Shaq humorously claims he could be the “Black Kelce” if he had pursued football instead of basketball. He joked about how his athleticism and physicality could have translated to dominating the gridiron. While he admitted he may not have had the finesse for route-running, his size, competitiveness, and star power make the concept entertaining and believable. Jason and Travis were thrilled, comparing his athletic dominance to football greatness—but acknowledged Shaq made the right sports career choice!

🤝 Remembering Kobe: Competitive Respect

Shaq delved deep into Kobe Bryant anecdotes, revisiting their legendary rivalry and bond. He called Kobe “the most competitive player I’ve ever seen and the best teammate I ever had” . Shaq reflected on the complex but enduring relationship they shared—a mix of fierce competition and deep mutual respect. He recounted iconic moments, such as embracing Kobe after his 60-point farewell game, symbolizing how far they’d come . Their chemistry carried NBA dynasties, and Shaq’s reflections emphasized that even with tension, their partnership defined early-2000s Lakers dominance.

👟 Reebok Revival: Documenting “Power Moves”

Shaq’s back in action—this time with Reebok. He’s resurrecting his classic shoe line and promoting his Netflix docuseries Power Moves, which chronicles his career pivots and sneakers ventures . Expect to see the Diesel’s trademark swagger return to the shoebox game. He teased listeners with design inspirations tied to key career milestones—classic Reebok vibes with a modern, Shaq-sized twist.

🏀 Greatest Dunk—Shaq Style

Asked to name his greatest dunk, Shaq laughed before recalling a behemoth smash during his prime. He didn’t specify a game, but the image of unstoppable full-speed breakaways, crushing alley-oops, and splinters-shaking flushes painted the picture. He attributed much of his highlight reel legacy to those terrifying slams that made arenas tremble.

🤠 Big Slick Recap & Kelce Crew Banter

Before Shaq took center court, the Kelce brothers recapped Big Slick, the Kansas City-based charity event that blends sports, music, and celebrity fun while supporting cancer research. Shaq playfully praised their event, teasing how Jason “raided” Travis’ closet—leading to some hilarious sibling heat.

They also previewed the upcoming Beer Bowl III, encouraging fans to submit highlight reels. Based on the Kelces’ excitement, expect bigger—and bolder—plays than ever.

🔥 Investment + Locker Room Takeaways

ESPN Move: Shaq is banking on their chemistry overriding any shift in network. He’s bringing TNT tradition to ESPN’s new NBA era.

Cross-Sport Confidence: The “Black Kelce” moment showcased Shaq’s trash-talk flair and confidence beyond the hardwood.

Kobe Honesty: Candid memories solidified the acknowledgement that their complex friendship fueled greatness.

Brand Hustle: Shaq continues winning in business—Reebok, Netflix, and upcoming projects prove he’s not cooling off.

💬 Reddit & Fan Buzz

Across Reddit, fans couldn’t get enough:

flybiscus (r/NewHeights):
“Man, Shaq can tell a story. I was dying at him giving intern Brandon shit and his spicy Dorito/Icy Hot story.”

WhyBeNormal_08:
“Fantastic episode! Fun, insightful, mutual respect… Definitely one of the top guest episodes.”

Even NBA forums praised Shaq’s charisma:

Peeecee7896 (r/MCUNewsAndRumors):
“As soon as Joker shoots a 3, I’m going to run right past him… I know by the time we get the ball and throw it down, I’m going to hit the 2.”

They loved the in-studio energy and Shaq’s vast storytelling arsenal

📝 Final Thoughts

Episode 142 of New Heights is a masterclass in personality, legacy, and entertainment. Shaq brought:

Hard takes on the current Finals and TNT-to-ESPN migration

Playful athletic pride with his “Black Kelce” dream

Deep emotion reflecting on Kobe’s impact

Sneaker culture flair through Reebok collabs and Power Moves

Sibling spectacle with the Kelce brothers—locker rooms have never sounded this fun

If you missed this one, it’s time to catch up. Shaq’s presence transformed the show—not as a one-time guest, but like a headlining halftime act that rides waves long after the buzzer.

🔗 Catch the Episode

Listen wherever you get podcasts, or check out the video above. You’ll laugh, reminisce, and cheer—you might even find yourself wanting a Shaq-sized sneaker collection.

📣 Coming Up Next

Episode 143: Spags, the legendary NFL defensive coach, joins the Kelces. Expect X’s and O’s wisdom, unforgettable practice tales, and Kelce-style commentary. Get ready for that early summer NDQ drop!

TL;DR: Why EP 142 Was a Slam Dunk

Feature
Highlight

Shaq’s Finals Commentary
Believes underdog Finals = NBA parity

ESPN Antics
Playful invasion of NBA Countdown studio

“Black Kelce” Banter
Football fantasy that shows his confidence

Kobe Reflections
Candid, respectful, emotional

Sneaker and Media Hustle
Revived Reebok line + Power Moves doc

Brothers’ Sibling Drama
Closet raids + charity event recap

Episode 142 wasn’t just an interview—it was two legends colliding: the Diesel meets the Kelce duo. Whether you’re here for basketball, comedy, sibling rivalry, or sneaker culture, this episode delivers.