Shaquille O’Neal is “going to step down” from conversations concerning the connection scandal involving Celtics coach Ime Udoka, citing his personal historical past.
Talking lately on his “The Huge Podcast with Shaq,” the 50-year-old NBA legend touched upon the controversy that rocked the league final week and noticed the Celtics droop the Udoka for the 2022-23 season after violating the franchise’s code of conduct over an alleged romance with a feminine member of the crew’s employees.
“I’m going to step down from this dialog,” O’Neal stated, based on NESN. “I used to be a serial cheater. It might be loopy and blasphemous for me to stand up right here and say, ‘Increase, growth, bam.’ I can’t do this. I do know these guys personally. I do know they’re going by way of quite a bit as a result of I went by way of quite a bit.”
Udoka, who helped lead the Celtics to an NBA Finals berth final season, is claimed to have engaged in an “improper and consensual relationship” with a feminine staffer. The 45-year-old head coach has been in a relationship with actress Nia Lengthy since 2010 and collectively, have a younger son.
O’Neal added on his present that he’s identified Lengthy, 51, “for a very long time.”
“I simply want that sure events weren’t concerned,” O’Neal stated. “I’ve identified Nia Lengthy for a very long time and I like her. … They’re going by way of a number of household stuff. I’m by no means the man that’s gonna stand up right here due to my platform and pretend it.”
Within the wake of Udoka’s suspension, Lengthy launched a press release Friday during which she expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of affection and assist.”
“The outpouring of affection and assist from household, buddies and the neighborhood throughout this tough time means a lot to me,” Lengthy stated in a press release to Leisure Tonight. “I ask that my privateness be revered as I course of the latest occasions. Above all, I'm a mom and can proceed to concentrate on my kids.”
O’Neal himself has been candid about previous missteps, notably the demise of his marriage to Shaunie O’Neal.
Throughout an April look on “The Pivot Podcast,” O’Neal stated he “wasn’t defending her and defending these vows.”
“Generally if you dwell that double life, you get caught up. I’m not going to say it was her. It was all me,” he stated.
O’Neal and Shaunie wed in 2002 and separated 5 years later. Though they briefly reconciled, Shaunie filed for divorce in 2009 with the cut up being finalized in 2011.
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