Shaq-tastic: O’Neal on your Television Set May 21, 2009
Posted by Paul in : Uncategorized , trackback
Many of us have been fast to criticize Shaquille O’Neal. And guess what? He’s been an easy target, at times. His periodic laziness throughout his basketball playing days has been well-chronicled. His well-documented feud with Kobe in Los Angeles has left many Lakers fans with a bad taste in their mouths. Speaking of just that, he’s done a few unsavory things, in his public time, off the courts. One recent such incidents had him rapping to a nightclub full of patrons, calling out Kobe Bryant, by asking his former Laker teammate how his derriere tastes. Dressing on the side, please! Another older snafu had Shaq showing insensitivity towards the Chinese when he mockingly imitated Chinese speech when asked about then NBA-newcomer Yao Ming. So how are we to react when we’re told that the self-proclaimed Big Aristotle is taking Syracuse’s accelerated sports broadcasting course, during his off season?
At first glance, you may think to yourself, “Wow! This guy, a true broadcaster? Really? A guy who drones on in a monotone delivery, after games, without even an inkling of emotion?” Is Shaq going to be able to entertain us, through broadcasts, while he doesn’t just speak to us about his basketball, but has to be a sturdy broadcasting presence?
Here are a few reasons why Shaq Diesel will end up being a very good broadcaster:
1) He’s willing to work at it. The saying is simple. In every endeavor, practice makes perfect. The most incisive critics will oversimplify things; reminding us all of the times where Shaq has lacked focus on his basketball. Just because Shaq has shown patches of boredom or laziness through his career doesn’t mean he can’t focus on something and master it. After all, he’s managed to do just that, with his basketball career. When Al Michaels was asked what he had admired most about his former broadcast partner John Madden, Michaels instantly spoke of Madden’s knowledge of the broadcasting profession. To Michaels, Madden had been a broadcaster first, and a former head football coach second. By showing the willingness to study the craft, Shaq fully understands that there are nuances to the art of broadcasting that merit learning. In an era where many athletes would think of broadcasting, as purely spewing back their experience, accumulated throughout years of play, Shaq has decided to go back to school, for something that wasn’t his first calling. An admirable trait, for a thoughtful man….
2) O’Neal is incredibly thoughtful and eclectic. Usually, athletes will fall in one of two categories. Those that have had a singular focus on their craft throughout the length of their careers. And those others that have been dilettantes but have amassed a number of side interests during their professional lives. Shaq falls in the latter, and can certainly call upon many life experiences when conducting himself in front of a camera or microphone. Whether it’s his several movie roles, or rap albums, Shaq has at least had the intestinal fortitude to try a few things, despite the tough time he’s gotten from critics. He’s lived by one of my favorite quotes, from Ted Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” O’Neal has been brave enough to try his hand at things others would have been afraid to even attempt. Some have worked out, others have not. That’s all part of life. Shaq should not only be lauded for the charitable work he’s done, but also for the example he sets as a human being. Success and failure are all part of our existence. And Shaq has had portions of both. But at least, he keeps going, and is curious enough to try new things….
3) He’s a born self-promoter. Let’s face it: the term Shaq has virtually become part of our official English vernacular. I’m almost tempted to delve into Webster’s Dictionary to see if it hasn’t been added there. Not only had O’Neal built himself into a global brand, he has become an icon in our culture. It’s a well-known fact: anyone that has attained one-name status is a superstar. Examples include “Prince,” “Madonna,” “Ronaldo”… And “Shaq” is certainly no exception. Now, the interesting thing about the term “Shaq” is that, unlike these others, but similarly to other staples of the English language, it has acquired plenty of derivatives: “Shaq Fu,” “The Big Shaqtus,” “Dr. Shaq,” and, most recently, “Shaqovic.” And these don’t even include the myriad of other ones, which have been hatched up over the years. Monikers like: “The Diesel,” “The Big Aristotle,” “The Big Daddy,” “Superman,” “The Big Agave,” “The Big Cactus,” “The Big Galactus,” “Wilt Chamberneezy,” “The Big Baryshnikov,” “The Real Deal.” The most compelling aspect about all these names is that most of them have emanated from his lips. Other larger-than-life athletes would probably just sit back and let the media come up with descriptive names and monikers for them. Shaq has a knack for keeping us interested in him, by coming up with new takes on the world at large. When we all think he’s aging and hasn’t said anything in a few weeks, O’Neal re-inserts himself in the conversation with that winning smile, an off-the-cuff remark, or a new handle for himself. In essence, he has a gift for PR and self-marketing. Watch him to leverage that ability when the cameras are rolling, and the red light comes on….
4) Nobody has ever accused Shaq of not having a personality. That trait is key to being good on television and radio. Let’s not forget how crucial that characteristic can be when conducting interviews. During his Laker days, everybody spoke of Shaquille’s contagious personality, and his willingness to take his teammates out to dinner, while Kobe was more of a loner. O’Neal has always been great at connecting with people, and that trait will serve him well, in any media role he pursues, whether he hosts his own radio show, or participates on a television set as an analyst.
5) He’s not afraid to ruffle feathers. The last thing we all need on the boob-tube is yet another person who is afraid of saying something that has substance. There are a plethora of broadcasters and analysts out there, who are bland talking heads; giving us reheated feedback that would hardly qualify as insightful analysis. The best analysts out there have strong opinions, out-of-the-box viewpoints, and are articulate enough to defend them. On that short list of top analysts: Charles Barkley and John McEnroe. What do these two possess over all the others? A maverick quality rarely seen in many human beings. A touch of irreverence which always makes them compelling. They are not fearful of speaking their mind on any topic. And they are certainly not going to engage in the tough practice of walking on eggshells. If you’ve ever seen Shaq speak, you know that he’s not the type to conform to the masses.
With so many athletes not only holding on for too long, but also thinking very little about their post-athletic careers these days, it’s incredibly refreshing to see a man not only ponder his next chapter, but take concrete steps into making that transition in a very proactive fashion. The modern professional athlete is usually pampered throughout his life, from high school onwards through the pros. Things have come easy to him. Why should they change? Most ex-athletes are content to sit back and let their pasts carry their future in broadcasting, sharing their anecdotes of yesteryear. But the issue, there, is that they’ve never actually moved on. Instead of transition to the interesting things that life has to offer after a career in sports, they rely on that past experience, and relive those moments of glory. Shaquille is different animal. He has so many other interests than basketball that he won’t let his athletic career define him as a person. He’ll move on the next thing that strikes his fancy, and probably be very good at it.
Let this be my prediction: I have a feeling that Shaq may be eyeing TNT’s colorful “Inside the NBA” set, as his next move, post-NBA career. I wouldn’t be surprised if preliminary behind-the-scenes talks have already been seeded between Shaq’s handlers and the folks at Turner Broadcasting. Can you imagine the Round Mound of Rebound and the Big Aristotle going at it, on that set? Wouldn’t that make for compelling television? Don’t get me wrong: Chris Webber is a telegenic presence. But does he really do a whole lot when it comes to ratings? To their credit, TNT has already shown that they are willing to take chances, in order to improve their programming. Wouldn’t it be alluring for TNT to bring on Shaq, and throw him into the mix with Ernie, Kenny, and Charles? If you took a poll out there, amongst casual sports fans, I would be willing to bet that most would tell you that Shaq’s addition to “Inside the NBA” would have them tune in even more frequently than they already do. When O’Neal joins that TNT set, Barkley may still be driving the Show, but expect Shaq to be the Diesel that keeps it running strong…
Comments»
Great entry co-host! I think it will be a natural transition for Shaq. His affable nature would be perfect on Inside the NBA rather than the incomprehensible at times C Webb. I think he would be the perfect addition to any studio set. He would certainly give a nice boost to the ratings as well.
Thanks for the kind words. We’re in agreement, then. What analysts do you think actually draw people into the televised sporting event or studio show? That’s an interesting question that merits being asked. Certainly Barkley falls into that category. But it would be interesting to see what others produce those numbers. Can someone say that of Terry Bradshaw on FOX NFL Sunday? Does Johnny Mac bring in viewers with his no-nonsense analysis, on NBC?
I think Terry Bradshaw used to have that quality. I think the luster may have worn off a bit. However, he does still bring that Good ‘Ol Southern Boy charm that some may feel comforted by on Sundays. I don’t think Johnny Mac moves the needle much outside the tennis community. I would pose that Sir Charles is the biggest draw for any studio show in sports. I can guarantee you one thing. Nobody ever watched Monday Night Countdown for Emmitt Smith!
LOL; great point(s)! It’s interesting, because there is quite a contingent amongst sports television observers who contend that announcers/broadcasters don’t move the proverbial needle whatsoever. Others agree that you need someone to help in the “salesmanship” and “packaging” of a telecast.
I think you know in which camp I stand ;)….