One of the NBA‘s all-time greats says he’s tuning out for the rest of this year’s Finals.
Following OKC’s Game 2 win over the Pacers on Sunday, Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he has no interest in seeing how the rest of the series plays out and has officially entered vacation mode.
“Indiana stole one. I’m just glad it’s not the old format, that 2-3-2. Remember that format? That 2-3-2? So now we have a series. I won’t even be watching,” O’Neal admitted on NBA TV. “I’m gonna be in the Bahamas.”
Partner Kenny Smith quickly pointed out to Shaq that he can still watch ESPN and ABC from the Bahamas (as well as NBA TV). But the Hall of Famer wasn’t having it.
“Not in the ocean,” Shaq insisted, before adding that the liquid in his clear plastic cup wasn’t water.
“Now we have a series. I won’t even be watching…I’m gonna be in the Bahamas.” – Shaq reacts to OKC beating the Pacers in Game 2 pic.twitter.com/gVdbLlsXIE
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2025
This year’s Pacers-Thunder matchup may not be as captivating as season’s past, but it still features the league’s MVP and one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA.
And while generally a longer series bodes well for the league and its broadcast partners, it’s hard to make the case that the casual fan should watch if it’s not even worth paying attention to in the eyes of those who are paid to do so.
It’s no secret that Indiana and Oklahoma City are far from the biggest brands in basketball; and it’s hard to sell ball movement, team defense and depth over the narrative of the New York Knicks reaching the Finals for the first time in 25+ years.
Perhaps some of it has to do with a little three-point fatigue as well. Or the fact that the Thunder have led 91 of the 96 minutes played so far. But those that stick around may find some good basketball as the series shifts back to Indy.
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