Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Infiltrates Celtics’ Territory 14 Years After NBA Legend’s Exit

The fans of the Los Angeles Lakers might not be too happy with Shaquille O’Neal’s destination for his latest Big Chicken outlet. It makes sense, considering fans remember his Lakers tenure most fondly. However, there is no denying that Big Diesel had quite a story with every team he ever played on. However, his time in Boston—the city he’s now chosen—wasn’t as glorious as fans might expect.

Makes sense, considering there are certain things that fans expect of an athlete who has been a star for the Lakers. The very basic one of them? Not to mention the Boston Celtics, the biggest and longest-standing rivals of the Lakers. Despite that, Shaquille O’Neal landed with the Celtics near the end of his NBA career.

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is the NBA’s version of Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. Bloodlines, banners, and bad blood run deep. So when one of L.A.’s biggest legends sets up shop in Boston, it’s borderline blasphemy

What made that move even more jaw-dropping was the timing. It came right after the Celtics had lost to the Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals. Adding Shaq to the roster right after that loss felt like an odd twist for both fan bases.

Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal before game one of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, his time in Boston didn’t pan out the way many had hoped. With injuries hampering his run, Shaq was limited to just 37 regular-season games and had only a brief playoff showing due to injuries. By 2011, he had quietly exited the league, closing his playing career with the Celtics. Fast forward 14 years, and he’s making a return—not to chase rings but to serve up some heat, Nashville style.

“SHAQ’S Chicken Has Landed in Boston,” read a Facebook post from North Shore Dining, unveiling the new spot: Uncle Jerome’s Nashville Hot at Northshore Mall, 210 Andover St, Peabody, Massachusetts. Initial reviews? They’ve been pretty decent.

Initial reviews? Solid – most dishes are landing in the 7 to 8 out of 10 range. So, while his basketball chapter in Boston might’ve fallen flat, Shaq seems to be cooking up the success he once hoped for with the Celtics by winning another ring. Surprisingly, Big Diesel was not the first big name in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry to land on the other side.

Former Celtics legend who fulfilled his career blueprint with the Lakers

Turning down $32 million to join your fiercest rival? That’s not a headline you see every day. But in 1998, Ulrich ‘Rick’ Fox did just that—leaving the Boston Celtics to team up with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in Los Angeles. For someone who grew up idolizing Larry Bird, the move raised eyebrows. Rick Fox recently opened up about his decision on Giant Ventures.

Being picked by your childhood hero’s team should be a fairytale. But Fox’s NBA beginning was anything but smooth. “They booed,” he recalled of draft night, as fans expected a familiar name from the Big East. With no social media in 1991, Fox was a mystery to most. Still, Celtics legend Red Auerbach took a chance on him despite his underwhelming NCAA title game.

And Fox arrived in Boston with a vision. “I want to play 12 years and win three championships,” he once said. Now, this wasn’t a random goal—it was modeled directly after Bird’s career at the time. But the path didn’t stay smooth.

Bird never returned to the court after Fox’s rookie season, and the Celtics quickly lost their competitive edge. So when a $33 million deal came from Boston, a reported delay gave Fox time to consider another route.

“No amount of money was going to stop me,” he said on Giant Ventures. The Lakers had something Boston didn’t—potential. With young Shaq, rising Kobe, and Jerry West himself in his corner, Fox saw a future he couldn’t pass up. “They said I was the glue. They said I was the missing piece.” With that, a Celtic turned Laker and fulfilled the very blueprint that began with Larry Bird.

Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, could not achieve what he seemingly desired from Boston. But he’s taking another chance in the city. This time, with his Big Chicken outlet.

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