Shaq Apologizes to Rui Hachimura, But Still Doesn’t Know His Name

What a mess for Shaq.

Following the Lakers’ acquisition of Rui Hachimura from the Wizards before the trade deadline, NBA Hall of Famer and TNT studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal brushed off the acquisition for Los Angeles.

“Albert Einstein said things you can get access to you should never memorize,” he began. “If you ain’t a top 10 player, I don’t know who you are, that’s no disrespect. How am I supposed to know who the kid was?”

On his podcast The Big Podcast this week, O’Neal apologized to Hachimura. Well, he tried at least.

“Let me apologize to Rudy Hachimura,” O’Neal said as he incorrectly said his name. “I didn’t know who he was because I never watch the Bullets play,” he continued as he used Washington’s old team name.

“But he’s a fine role player. So Rudy Hachimura, I apologize that I didn’t know who you were, I know who you are now and I wish you well.”

Since coming over to the Lakers from the Wizards, Hachimura has played in 11 games, including eight starts, and has averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on 46.4% shooting from the floor.