‘Serial Cheater’ Shaquille O’Neal isn’t commenting on the Ime Udoka scandal because of his personal infidelity

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has admitted his own missteps in discussing the Ime Udoka scandal, saying it would be “blasphemous” for him to comment on the issue given his past infidelities.

Udoka has been suspended by the Celtics for the entire 2021-22 season for breaching team policy – reportedly having a consensual intimate relationship with a staff member – and faces the prospect of never coaching the team again.

But O’Neal, who has admitted to cheating on his ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal, made it clear that he would not judge Udoka for his actions.

“I’m going to withdraw from this conversation,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq, according to NESN.

“I was a serial cheater. It would be crazy and blasphemous if I stood up here and said, ‘Boom, boom, bam.’ I can not do this. I know these guys personally. I know they’re going through a lot because I’ve been through a lot.”

Shaquille O’Neal cited his past mistakes and said he would “resign” from the Udoka talk.

O’Neal married his ex-wife in 2002 before filing for divorce in 2009.

And he admitted his past infidelities in his memoirs Shaq Uncut: My Story which was released in 2011.

“My ex-wife Shaunie and I used to be happy, but I’ll admit it — I was a man. I was a guy with too many options,” he wrote.

“The decision to be with some of these women, well, that’s up to me. I don’t think I ever did it disrespectfully, but obviously I shouldn’t have done everything.’

Ime Udoka and Nia Long have been engaged since 2010 and have one child together

The couple have raised their four children together since their divorce, an arrangement Shaunie Tamron Hall called “great” last year.

“You know as well as I do that relationships are about maintaining … It wasn’t the big things, it was the small things, and that’s my fault,” O’Neal wrote in his memoir.

“I was busy. I was trying to win, trying to make some money. I admit I wasn’t the best partner. I just didn’t know how. I’m learning now.’

Udoka has been engaged to actress Nia Long since 2010 and the two have a son together.

And Long, who O’Neal said has been known on his podcast for a “long time,” released a statement last week after news of Udoka’s suspension and the reported affair broke.

O’Neal has admitted to cheating on his ex-wife Shaunie, with whom he is now co-parents

“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and community during this difficult time means so much to me,” Long wrote to the Boston Globe.

“I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Most importantly, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.”

For his part, Udoka also shared a statement with ESPN.

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down,” he said.

“I’m sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will not comment further.’

According to The Athletic, some members of the Celtics found out about Udoka’s relationship in July and team leaders were initially led to believe the relationship was amicable.

However, sources told the publication that the woman recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her, prompting the team to launch internal interviews.

Joe Mazulla, a 34-year-old who served as Celtics assistant last year, will be the caretaker manager for the 2022-23 season.