Madison Sq. Backyard has lengthy been often called “The World’s Most Well-known Enviornment,” however Shaq is just not prepared to offer New York that title and not using a struggle.
The Lakers legend pushed again on the declare throughout a current episode of NBA Tip-Off, as TNT opened its Jap Convention Finals protection with an aerial shot of Madison Sq. Backyard.
“What an ideal stage, huh? The Mecca,” host Ernie Johnson mentioned. “The World’s Most Well-known Enviornment, Madison Sq. Backyard.”
Shaq instantly disagreed.
“Second-most well-known,” Shaq mentioned.
That response led Johnson to ask Shaq which enviornment he believes belongs on the high of the listing.
“Properly, there’s three that’s up for debate. Boston’s enviornment and naturally my L.A. enviornment,” O’Neal mentioned.
Charles Barkley then sided with O’Neal, saying Madison Sq. Backyard shouldn’t robotically be handled because the clear No. 1.
“I’m really with Shaq. You simply can’t name y’all of the No. 1 enviornment on this planet,” Barkley mentioned.
Kenny Smith, a local New Yorker, pushed again through the section, however O’Neal and Barkley made it clear they had been speaking in regards to the outdated Boston Backyard fairly than TD Backyard.
Shaq then pointed to The Discussion board because the Los Angeles enviornment within the debate, earlier than noting that the Lakers’ historical past carried into their present residence.
“But it surely transferred to the Staples Middle,” O’Neal mentioned.
The Discussion board has not been residence to an NBA group since 2000, nevertheless it stays one among basketball’s most historic buildings due to its connection to the Showtime Lakers period. The Lakers then moved to Staples Middle, now often called Crypto.com Enviornment, the place they continued including to the franchise’s championship legacy.
Los Angeles has gained six NBA titles since transferring into that constructing, giving O’Neal’s argument some weight even when Madison Sq. Backyard nonetheless has the longer historical past and world fame.
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