Unidentified Flying Objects? Oh yeah, Shaquille O’Neal believes they’re real. He’s got a few good stories to back up his beliefs, and one involving his favorite teammate from Inside the NBA. He thinks his buddy Charles Barkley looks like an alien. At least that’s what he told Jimmy Kimmel on his late night TV show earlier this year.
As regular viewers know, the interaction between Shaq and Sir Charles is often the highlight and high point of the popular TNT Sports show Inside the NBA. There’s probably a good reason the two former star players are seated at the far ends of the big announcer’s table, as far from each other as possible. They’re often sparring verbally…. Who knows what might happen if they were within physical reach of each other?
NBA fans will doubtless confirm that the duo have unmatched on-screen chemistry – especially when haggling with each other. Shaq does have his moments, but usually it’s Chuck who ends up as the victor in the verbal salvo.
As a result, Shaq sometimes resorts to other interviews to get some well-earned swipes in at his co-host. And that opportunity presented itself not too long ago when O’Neal appeared on the late night show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Here’s the full interview, for your viewing pleasure:
Kimmel asked about the big man’s beliefs regarding UFOs, a topic very much in the news lately. Shaq had a quick, positive answer.
“…I totally believe in UFOs, because I look at Charles Barkley and his body – he’s definitely an alien.” He continued with another UFO-related story:
“I never told you about this story. In 1997, me and one of my good friends Chris Flores, we were on a double date. The girl he married – her name is Melissa – we were on a double date. We’re coming from a Hollywood video in Madera, California.”
“Right when we passed the fairground, I could swear I saw a flying saucer come down with all the lights and it was spinning and then it took off. We all looked at each other and it was like, I know it was a UFO. I don’t care what anybody says.”
So, the Big Aristotle thinks flying saucers are the real deal. He’s definitely not alone. As for Barkley? We’re not so sure. Still, anything’s possible!