The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EventsSports

Recap: Shaq and Phil Teamed Up with American Express For A Special Evening

by Osiris Diaz June 10, 2016
by Osiris Diaz June 10, 2016 0 comments
3.1K

On Monday June 6, 2016, American Express presented the American Express Teamed Up Event with former NBA great and current TNT broadcaster Shaquille O’Neal and legendary coach and current Knicks president Phil Jackson.

The two legends discussed this year’s NBA Finals, as well as the general collective and individual challenges of winning at the highest level. Hannah Storm, friends of both Shaq and Phil, and ESPN analyst, served as the curator and host of the event.

The American Express Teamed Up event began with the group first speaking about the NBA Finals, which at the time was 2-0 in favor of the Golden State Warriors. As someone who has been down 2-0 in an NBA Finals and still won the championship, Shaq spoke about what it takes to make such a comeback.

“You always have to believe. You always have to throw it in the air so I went in after we were down 0-2 and told the guys ‘if you think we’re not going to win, we’re not going to win,” said O’Neal. He also added that Coach Pat Riley “did a couple crazy speeches” that he couldn’t tell us about. O’Neal did however tell a story where Riley put his head in a bucket of life for 3 minutes, to the disbelief of the team, to show the power of believing.

“He almost died. But he did it,” Shaq recalled.

Jackson, who won 6 of his 11 coaching championships with Michael Jordan, said LeBron James needed to have a Jordan-like attitude to pull his team out from this deficit. He specifically recalled the Jordan pull his team out of an 0-2 hole against the the Knicks in the 1993 Eastern Conference finals. With the Bulls down two games to none, Jordan found motivation after reading article in the New York Times that criticized him for spending an off- day at an Atlantic City casino. He went on to lead the Bulls to four straight victories, averaging 32.2 points, including a 54-point performance in Game 4.

“I think it’s going to take something for LeBron to step into that. Put his cape on and say, ‘I’m going to have to take over a lot of this series, doing the things beyond my level or my normal capacity.’ He’s been a team player up until this point, but I think he’s going to have to step beyond that,” said Jackson.

Shaq followed that sentiment by saying, “ I knew it was always my job to play well and takeover, adding that he’s a “very sensitive guy” and didn’t want to “wake up the next day and read that it was my fault.”

After talking about the current championship series, the audience was treated to some insight into the relationship between Shaq and Phil, a relationship that netted 3 consecutive championships.

Shaq gave a lot of credit to his former coach’s ability to remain calm saying that “if the general doesn’t panicked ten the troops won’t panic. Because he didn’t panic, he didn’t give us room to panic.”

Phil, commonly referred to as the “Zen Master” because of his calm demeanor explained that his calm style of catching actually came from an incident when he was the lead singer of a band where he first learned he needed to control his thoughts.

“I was so upset about this lead singing role. My voice was changing I was 15. I couldn’t reach that note all the time and it was a performance and I got so emotionally upset, I caused myself some weight full moments of stress,” recalled Jackson.

Phil also talked about his introduction to coaching, telling the story of playing for the Knicks, getting hurt and missing the season in which they won a championship, the 1969-1970 season. He spent that season on the bench next to his coach Red Holzmam and credits that experience with teaching him how to see the game and handle players.

Besides gaining basketball knowledge from 2 legends of the sport, the crowd at this Teamed Up event learned, and even witnessed some of Shaq infamous antics. The night began by Shaq messing with event staff, not allowing for one of them to properly introduce Hannah Storm. As the night went on, we learned that Shaq would do things such as fall asleep during team meditations or come to practice in nothing but his shoes.

“it definitely kept the team light and lively,” said Jackson.

During the event, Shaq even pulled a fan on stage, calling him “beautiful.”

The night ended with a couple of questions from fans where we learned that Phil Jackson regrets his brief broadcasting career and that Shaq wants to skydive in the near future.

Overall, the American Express Teamed Up Event was an informative and very entertaining talk between 2 friends, as well as 2 greats in their craft.

American ExpressAmerican Express Teamed UpBasketballPhil JacksonShaquille O’Neal
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Osiris Diaz

previous post
Miki Howard & More Talk Her Life Story
next post
Concert Review: Hana and Grimes Headline The Electric Factory

Related Posts

New York City Wine & Food Festival Wraps...

October 22, 2025

Tea, Treatments, and Tranquility: Naturopathica Hosts Intimate Event...

October 21, 2025

GoingDry.co Celebrates Sober October with Tremble in SoHo

October 21, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Soared...

October 21, 2025

A Toast to Ja Rule’s Amber & Opal...

October 19, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Returns

October 17, 2025

Building Hip Hop’s Forever Home: The Hip-Hop Museum’s...

October 17, 2025

Justin Bieber Leads SKYLRK to Victory at LA’s...

October 17, 2025

Andrea Leigh Rogers Celebrates Book Launch with Invigorating...

October 17, 2025

Lisa Rinna Celebrates the Launch of Crown Royal...

October 17, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch