Jimmy Kimmel plays a lot of pranks on people. It’s obviously one of the key components of his entire show. So when he told Shaquille O’Neal that he is getting his own statue outside of the Staples Center last night during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live—and that the Lakers had asked Kimmel to inform him about it—Shaq didn’t believe him. He looked like he wanted to believe him, but he also looked like he kept remembering what show he was on.
It’s true, though. The Lakers are giving Shaq a statue, and it’s apparently going to look like this:
Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss made it official by releasing this statement after Kimmel's big revelation:
"We look forward to having Shaq join the other legends who have been honored with statues at STAPLES Center. He is a giant not only in size, but also in stature and in what he accomplished as a Laker. Shaq literally broke the ground for the site, and was hugely responsible for not only getting STAPLES Center built, but for making it one of the most successful and famous arenas in the world. It's an honor that is well deserved."
She also shared her congratulations on Twitter:
Shaq is probably still in disbelief (and we don’t blame him). But believe it, Shaq. You’re getting a statue.
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