Madison Square Garden has long been known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” but Shaq is not ready to give New York that title without a fight.
The Lakers legend pushed back on the claim during a recent episode of NBA Tip-Off, as TNT opened its Eastern Conference Finals coverage with an aerial shot of Madison Square Garden.
“What a great stage, huh? The Mecca,” host Ernie Johnson said. “The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden.”
Shaq immediately disagreed.
“Second-most famous,” Shaq said.
That response led Johnson to ask Shaq which arena he believes belongs at the top of the list.
“Well, there’s three that’s up for debate. Boston’s arena and of course my L.A. arena,” O’Neal said.
Charles Barkley then sided with O’Neal, saying Madison Square Garden should not automatically be treated as the clear No. 1.
“I’m actually with Shaq. You just can’t call y’all the No. 1 arena in the world,” Barkley said.
Kenny Smith, a native New Yorker, pushed back during the segment, but O’Neal and Barkley made it clear they were talking about the old Boston Garden rather than TD Garden.
Shaq then pointed to The Forum as the Los Angeles arena in the debate, before noting that the Lakers’ history carried into their current home.
“But it transferred to the Staples Center,” O’Neal said.
The Forum has not been home to an NBA team since 2000, but it remains one of basketball’s most historic buildings because of its connection to the Showtime Lakers era. The Lakers then moved to Staples Center, now known as Crypto.com Arena, where they continued adding to the franchise’s championship legacy.
Los Angeles has won six NBA titles since moving into that building, giving O’Neal’s argument some weight even if Madison Square Garden still has the longer history and global reputation.
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