NBA fans are heavily criticizing Shaquille O’Neal after the legend hung out with Turkish President Erdogan recently. Shaq and Erdogan got chummy with each other on a basketball court and even signed basketballs.
Former baller Enes Kanter denounced Big Diesel for hanging out with a leader who has been surrounded by numerous controversies related to human rights in the past. And many fans have been nodding in agreement, while blasting a few remarks of their own.
“Hey @SHAQ, Let me teach you a lesson. At what point do you choose morals over money? Whether you were paid for these photo ops or not is irrelevant. You willingly posed next to a man the entire world knows is a dictator. And let’s be clear about who you choose to stand with. This is a dictator who –Bombs Kurdish villages and is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent civilians. – Actively weaponizes ISIS for political leverage. – Controls and weaponizes HTS, – Uses refugees as a weapon to threaten and blackmail Europe, – Helps criminal regimes like Iran and Venezuela evade U.S. sanctions, – Throws infants and innocent civilians into prison…”Enes Kanter tweeted.
Hey @SHAQ,
Let me teach you a lesson.At what point do you choose morals over money?
Whether you were paid for these photo ops or not is irrelevant. You willingly posed next to a man the entire world knows is a dictator.
And let’s be clear about who you chose to stand with.… https://t.co/2WEpVJGZsE
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) January 20, 2026
“Enes is speaking 100% truth here. Thank you @EnesFreedom for being a voice of common sense in the world and a tremendous representative of peace-loving Muslims around the world. Many more should learn from you. @SHAQ, we all know you are a good person. You’ve proven it time and time again. This photo op with the radical islamist terrorist dictator Erdogan, who isn’t falsely accused of murdering and oppressing countless innocent but factually does it, was a mistake…” one fan said.
“It’s the year of the dictator homie,” another fan said.
“That’s disappointing, Always thought Shaq was a classy guy. Maybe he needs to read up on this.” one more fan remarked.
NBA Fans Continue To Call Out Shaq For Meeting Erdogan
Many NBA fans are undoubtedly shook by the fact that Shaquille O’Neal, of all players, would choose to hang out with Erdogan. Many are continuing to take shots at the legend for this photo-op, which nullifies all the good he has done in the past.
“This is upsetting to see from my favorite athlete of all time. Hope there is a good explanation here (weary face emoji)” one fan said.
“Shaq is literally a empty vessel poster boy for any brand/company/politician throwing him money. It’s deplorable.” Another fan added.
“If the cheque cleared, he would’ve shot hoops with bin Laden.” One more fan trolled.
At the same time, there were also numerous who mocked Enes Kanter for his objections to Shaquille O’Neal meeting Erdogan. Some felt that Kanter should focus on America first before taking shots at other nations and their leaders.
