TrendRundown › Entertainment · updated Oct 22, 2:12 AM EDT

Why is “Shaq” trending?

Shaquille O'Neal gives Victor Wembanyama advice and promotes scam awareness

Shaquille O'Neal, the retired NBA star, is drawing search interest after two recent headlines about him. Variety reported that he offered advice to San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, a young player who has drawn wide attention, urging him to be meaner on the court. USA Today reported that O'Neal appeared in a stunt by the VPN company NordVPN in Times Square. The stunt was meant to draw attention to online scams.

The two stories are separate. One concerns basketball coaching-style commentary from a former player, and the other is a public awareness campaign tied to a company's product. The source headlines do not give full details of either event, so the exact words, setting and length of his remarks, and the specifics of the stunt, are not available from the material reviewed here.

Key facts

• Variety reported Shaquille O'Neal told Victor Wembanyama to be meaner.
• Wembanyama plays for the San Antonio Spurs.
• USA Today reported O'Neal took part in a NordVPN stunt in Times Square.
• The NordVPN stunt was aimed at raising awareness of online scams.
• Full details of both stories were not included in the headlines reviewed.

What we don't know yet

The full context of O'Neal's advice and the exact details of the Times Square stunt are not clear from the headlines alone.

Our summary of reporting by Variety, USA Today. Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources; read the full stories at the links below. Updated Oct 22, 1:40 AM EDT.

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Trend data

What the headlines say

• Yahoo SportsShaquille O'Neal believes Walker Kessler played like the 'best big man' in the leagueOct 22, 1:55 AM EDT
• ESPNShaq on 76ers' Finals hopes: 'They can't do it without Joel Embiid'Oct 21, 7:15 PM EDT
• VarietyShaquille O’Neal’s Advice for NBA Phenom Victor Wembanyama: ‘Be Meaner’Oct 20, 12:00 PM EDT
• USA TodayShaq Stars in NordVPN’s Times Square Stunt to Spotlight Online ScamsOct 20, 10:52 AM EDT

How the story unfolded

• Oct 20, 10:52 AM EDT — USA Today: Shaq Stars in NordVPN’s Times Square Stunt to Spotlight Online Scams
• Oct 20, 12:00 PM EDT — Variety: Shaquille O’Neal’s Advice for NBA Phenom Victor Wembanyama: ‘Be Meaner’
• Oct 21, 7:15 PM EDT — ESPN: Shaq on 76ers' Finals hopes: 'They can't do it without Joel Embiid'
• Oct 22, 1:55 AM EDT — Yahoo Sports: Shaquille O'Neal believes Walker Kessler played like the 'best big man' in the league

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