The 4x NBA champion is a national treasure. Due to his childlike exuberance and his blunt approach, Shaquille O’Neal continues to charm everyone. Those qualities were in full effect as the big man tried to pull a quick one on the rest of the crew while announcing the reserves for the All-Star game. Each member of the crew had names given to them in envelopes. But the Los Angeles Lakers legend was smarter than most.

Rather than go through the tired old routine, he placed a bet on himself. Placing the envelope on his head, he predicted the name inside. When his prediction for Stephen Curry turned out to be correct, O’Neal was at his smug best. As the discussion moved elsewhere, viewers may have forgotten about the entire incident. However, towards the end of the broadcast, Shaq’s trickery came to light.

The TNT crew showed the “true” footage of the sequence of events, where the 51-year-old had already taken a peek inside his envelope. As Charles Barkley & co. exploded into laughter, the entire ordeal was another reminder of Diesel’s pinpoint comedic timing.

And, despite his long-standing lovefest for Wardell, this season was not a year where the big man has been outwardly fawning over the greatest shooter that god ever created.

Shaquille O’Neal dials back the Steph Curry love

For years, the former MVP has been one of the biggest advocates for the Golden State Warriors superstar. He was even ready to put him in GOAT discussions. However, over the course of this year, multiple other people have overtaken the 4x NBA Champion.

USA Today via Reuters

First, it was Luka Dončić. Then, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the list. After claiming SGA over Luka in his list of players, he was also generous with his praise for Shai when the All-Star starters were first revealed. So, with Curry’s place on the ballot not a guarantee for the first time in over a decade, O’Neal’s “prediction” was right on the money.

Perhaps, we have a new contender to the Charles Barkley GUARANTEE. What are your thoughts on the NBA icon cheating while revealing the names of the All-Star reserves? Let us know in the comments below.