Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t hold back when it comes to playful trash talk, and Las Vegas assistant coach Ty Ellis found himself on the receiving end during a recent podcast appearance. The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s latest roast was as much about Ellis as it was a subtle jab at his longtime ‘Inside the NBA’ partner Charles Barkley.
How Did Shaquille O’Neal Turn Ty Ellis Into Charles Barkley?
O’Neal was the featured guest on the ‘Straight Game Podcast,’ where the conversation covered various topics between the four-time NBA champion and his hosts. The interview took a comedic turn when O’Neal couldn’t resist commenting on Ellis’ lean appearance.
“Looks like Charles Barkley that overdosed on Ozempic,” O’Neal said, drawing laughter from Ellis and co-hosts Mike Bibby and Eddie House. The comparison wasn’t limited to the on-air moment either.
Shaq roasts coach Ty Ellis:
“Why he look like Charles Barkley on Ozempic.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/47Bso3nuFA
— Straight Game Podcast (@straightgamepod) September 2, 2025
Ellis revealed that the roasting had started before they even began recording. “Backstage, he called me Charles Barkley on Ozempic,” the 47-year-old coach shared with the audience.
This latest jab builds on O’Neal’s history of making fun of Barkley’s weight loss journey from the previous year. During a segment of ‘Inside the NBA,’ O’Neal had teased his colleague with lines like “Ozempic still looking for your a**” and “Ozempic, I’m snitching, he’s right here! Ozempic FBI, he’s right here!”
Why Does Shaquille O’Neal’s Humor Work So Well?
Barkley has been transparent about using weight loss drugs, which makes O’Neal’s playful ribbing feel more like friendly banter than mean-spirited attacks — the dynamic works particularly well because Barkley himself laughs along with the jokes. Over the years, O’Neal’s natural comedic timing and willingness to poke fun at everyone, including himself, have helped make him a household name while contributing significantly to the success of their television show.
The podcast conversation wasn’t all jokes, though. O’Neal also addressed the ongoing GOAT debate, which typically centers on Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The 15-time NBA All-Star expressed frustration that his former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant often gets overlooked in these discussions.
“I get frustrated when people talk about the GOATs of the game and don’t mention Kobe Bryant,” O’Neal explained. “I don’t care who you pick, whether it’s Michael, LeBron, or Kobe, but just mention all the names. They just passed him up and went from Mike to LeBron, and they left him out. I would like to hear the recipients in there and then let the people pick.”
O’Neal and Bryant won three championships together for the Lakers before O’Neal moved on to win another title with the Miami Heat. Bryant later captured two more championships in 2009 and 2010, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
