There was a big absence in the Inside the NBA studio in Atlanta. The seat at the very right of the desk is generally where Shaquille O’Neal sits. However, tonight, Warriors forward Draymond Green joined the show, filling in for the Big Aristotle. There was no explanation or warning. Shaq was just absent. But he still managed to make a virtual appearance, even showcasing the cause behind his break.

During the live segment, the NBA Hall of Famer hilariously denied allegations of smoking hookah. He did so while having smoke race out of his nose and coughing uncontrollably. Staying on the tangent of humor, Shaquille O’Neal gave fans and the studio a disastrous surprise.

Shaq tuned in to the show via video call and showed his misaligned feet to everyone. In a text chain revealed next, he wrote, “I’m in Yugoslavia getting stem cell treatment on my toes”. Don’t know about the actual reason, but everything seemed like a parody of Luka Doncic’s trip to Spain for stem cell treatment to heal from a hamstring strain.

Carrying a 300+ pound frame for nearly two decades in the NBA has taken a visible toll on O’Neal’s feet. His toes have been a long-running issue:

• In 2001, he underwent corrective surgery on a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot.
• In 2002, he had a cheilectomy on his right big toe to remove bone spurs and address arthritis (hallux limitus). The procedure caused him to miss the start of the 2002-03 season.

Years of pounding the court have left his feet misaligned, with one prominent big toe often pointing noticeably outward- a sight that has shocked fans and co-hosts multiple times when shown on air.

While the “Yugoslavia stem cell treatment” line was clearly a joke, O’Neal has explored various modern recovery and regenerative options in retirement to manage the lasting effects of his playing career. Beyond his famous foot problems, Shaq has undergone several significant procedures:

• Hip replacement (2023 at age 51): A custom procedure due to his massive size, which he documented with his usual humor.
• Knee surgery (2006-07 season): To repair torn cartilage after a hyperextension injury, causing him to miss 35 games with the Miami Heat.

Even in retirement, the Big Diesel stays proactive with therapies ranging from PRP-style treatments to advanced recovery methods to keep his body functioning at a high level for his broadcasting and business life. Nonetheless, it was good to see Shaq, even though it was only parts of him.

Inside the NBA turns heated without Shaquille O’Neal

With Shaquille O’Neal not present in the studio, Draymond Green did a splendid job of filling in. He’s worked with the crew before. Ironically, the Warriors forward shares the same confrontational relationship with Charles Barkley that Shaq does. For the most part, they stay civil, poking each other for fun.

However, Green actually played the perfect Shaq today. In a moment that turned serious, Barkley told the visiting analyst that the Warriors’ time was up. It was a blunt remark. Charles Barkley wasn’t taking the Warriors seriously in this “young people” era.

Of course, Draymond Green didn’t take his comments lightly. “I think the goal is to just not look like you in a Houston Rockets uniform,” he told Barkley. It never got to shouting, as it frequently does with Shaq and Chuck. However, it was a tense moment to say the least.

Green followed up his response by saying the Warriors’ intention will always be to compete for titles. “When you reach championships, the goal will always be to try to reach that level,” said Green. Correct me if wrong, but this feels like a line borrowed from Shaquille O’Neal. That’s besides the point.

This may not be the Warriors veteran’s only appearance on Inside the NBA. He’s also slated to appear during the conference finals, reportedly filling in for Kenny Smith. Maybe then he and Chuck can hash things out, with Shaq being the moderator.