f you thought Shaquille O’Neal had already faced every possible basketball opponent, think again.
The four-time NBA champion has a new potential challenger in mind.
Robots.
Yes, actual robots.
During a recent appearance in New York City’s Times Square, Shaq revealed that he’s ready to take on one of those increasingly impressive AI-powered basketball machines.
And knowing Shaq, we’re guessing he wouldn’t be interested in letting the robot win.
“I would play one,” O’Neal told Gizmodo while discussing the latest advances in robotic athletes.
Apparently, Shaq has been keeping an eye on the competition. He’s seen robots that can dunk and others capable of knocking down three-pointers.
Of course, we’d love to see what happens when a humanoid robot tries to defend a prime Shaquille O’Neal in the low post.
Somebody better check the warranty.
Shaq Takes His Talents to Times Square
The basketball legend was in New York promoting his newest partnership with cybersecurity company NordVPN.
As the company’s latest brand ambassador, Shaq participated in a basketball-themed demonstration designed to show how antivirus protection helps defend against online threats.
The Big Diesel stepped onto a miniature basketball court alongside four other players, blocking shots from volunteers representing potential cyberattacks.
Naturally, Shaq swatted away plenty of attempts.
A few shots did get through, however, illustrating an important point: even strong cybersecurity software isn’t completely foolproof.
For Shaq, the partnership has a surprisingly personal connection.
He revealed that someone once obtained his credit card information and actually attempted to purchase a house with it.
A house!
Most people worry about someone ordering a pizza with their stolen credit card. Apparently, when you’re Shaq, the criminals start shopping for real estate.
The experience reminded him that online security matters to everyone, including internationally famous basketball legends.
The Big Aristotle Embraces Artificial Intelligence
Shaq’s interest in technology goes well beyond cybersecurity.
The Hall of Famer has built an impressive investment portfolio over the years, including early investments in companies such as Google and Lyft.
More recently, he’s been exploring opportunities involving artificial intelligence.
He’s invested in Edsoma, an AI-powered educational platform designed to help children learn, and collaborated with Carvana on an AI shopping assistant appropriately named “Shaqbot.”
Because apparently the world needed a digital Shaquille O’Neal, too.
Shaq also revealed that he’s a ChatGPT user and sees artificial intelligence as another valuable tool for learning.
That’s an interesting perspective from someone who has successfully reinvented himself numerous times since retiring from professional basketball.
Whether it’s business, entertainment, music, or technology, Shaq has never been particularly interested in sitting on the sidelines.
Could We Actually See Shaq vs. a Robot?
With AI-powered robots becoming increasingly athletic, the possibility of a human-versus-machine basketball showdown doesn’t seem quite as ridiculous as it once might have.
And who better to represent humanity than the man who spent nearly two decades terrorizing NBA backboards?
For now, there’s no official Shaq-versus-robot game scheduled.
But we’d absolutely watch.
Just imagine the promotional possibilities.
Shaq vs. The Machine.
One basketball legend. One artificial intelligence. Zero guarantees that the backboard survives.
Our money’s still on The Diesel.