Shaquille O’Neal is out of line.
So is JaVale McGee for how he has retaliated, though his misstep is understandable given the context.
But Shaq has been out of line, for reasons that date back decades. He is especially offensive now considering the flashing lights and ringing alarms evident in McGee’s retorts.
McGee wouldn’t say another Black man is “cooning” unless he is deeply hurt. That is calling him an Uncle Tom, and that is one of the most offensive labels McGee can affix to Shaq. That is taboo in Black culture, which illustrates just how injurious Shaq’s years of ridiculing have been.