Tweet of the Day: Shaquille O’Neal

“Twitter beef is real.”

That is what former NFL defensive end and current ESPN TV personality Hugh Douglas said on Thursday afternoon’s episode of Numbers Never Lie.

Why did he say that?

Well, as the show went live, former NBA great and current TNT studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal sent out the following tweet and photo regarding his NNL co-host and former NBA player Jalen Rose.

The day I kiss up to anyone is the day I call u a great player , happy birthday jalen rose http://t.co/raeHeQwT

January 31, 2013 2:06 pm via Camera on iOSReplyRetweetFavorite

@SHAQ

SHAQ

The “Twitter beef,” as Douglas calls it, has been going on for some time now between O’Neal and Rose.For context, Shaq was referring to something that Rose said in a Grantland video [below].

In a sitdown with Grantland writer David Jacoby wherein Rose discusses the historical 81-point game Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant  had against the Toronto Raptors, he had an aside about the rift between Bryant and O’Neal.

At the two-minute mark, Rose goes on to state:

I’m glad that they’re back getting along. And if I have to be the sacrificial lamb for Shaq to kiss up to Kobe, I’m all good with that.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxMLBg9tQl0&w=540&h=304]

Rose was, of course, referring to Shaq’s tweet [to Kobe] during the rebroadcast of the 81-point game on NBA TV.

Watchin Kobe's historical 81 pt game. Question Kobe did u wake up and say I'm a hit 80 today, jalens guarding me. #answermyquestionkobe

January 22, 2013 4:40 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@SHAQ

SHAQ

I’m not a great player. I know I’m not a bum, but why did Shaq play on as many teams as me?”

Can jealousy be a factor? What do Chris Jackson, Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant all have in common? Shaq was hatin’ on them. He also stole Steve Nash’s show…”