By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.comFollow @JCameratoNBA
Its one thing to sit down in Harvard Square and pose as a statue. Its another to hide behind plants at the Google offices. But there is at least one place Shaquille ONeal cant just walk into -- the White House.
On Tuesdays episode of Conan, ONeal discussed his first second third failed attempt at stopping by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
ONeal: I just want to take up 30 seconds of the President's time. I want to be able to get in, shake his hand, thank you sir, and then leave. That's all I want. I don't want to stay all day."
OBrien: You know he's been kind of busy the last couple of days?
ONeal: I know, but you know, 30 seconds. So I went up to the gate --
OBrien: You don't call ahead? You dont do anything?
Boston Celtics
ONeal: No, never. I just went up to the gate and I looked at the guy and he had a smile on his face. And I was like makes two questioning faces. And hes like, Shaq, what do you want? And I was like, Can I just say hi to the President? He was like, No Shaq, you can't do it. Im like, Please? I'll go in the back, please? And he was like, No, we can't do it. So I couldn't do it and I was actually quite sad about it pretends to wipes tear from eye. Third time, third time.
ONeal also discussed his cameo in an upcoming Adam Sandler - Al Pacino film, his equation for Twitter success ("I try to make people laugh 60 percent of the time. 30 percent of the time I try to inspire people. And the other 10 percent I'm just trying to sell stuff.) and his ongoing joke war with Ashton Kutcher.
He also talked about his enjoyment for riding in go cartsso it was only appropriate that he and OBrien rode childrens toy cars heading into a commercial break. (If you thought Shaq would pick the mini police car over the pint-sized pink Jeep, guess again.)
Another Chance to See Rondo Play
Last week I wrote about Rajon Rondo being slated to play in the Team Kentucky vs. Team Dominican game University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari is organizing on August 15 at Rupp Arena. Turns out there are quite a few people who want to see that game go down, and tickets have sold out. As a result, Calipari is taking the match up from Lexington to Rondos hometown of Louisville to play a second game on August 16 at the Yum! Center, the home court of the University of Louisville basketball team. On Thursday, Calipari tweeted about Rondos participation, Pre-sale 4 the game in Louisville starts at 10 ET. We will play agst Wall, Cousins, Rondo, Bledsoe, Mohammed, Knight, Harrellson & Liggins.
Soiree for the Shamrock Foundation
On Wednesday the Boston Celtics and XFINITY hosted a Summer Soiree which raised over 20,000 to benefit the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. The Soiree, held at Scampo at the Liberty Hotel, featured live music, food, raffles, and a silent auction. Celtics legends (including Cedric Maxwell, Dana Barros, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, JoJo White, Tom Satch Sanders, and Tommy Heinsohn) were on hand, along with Celtics dancers and Lucky. Its always a fantastic opportunity to come out and support the Shamrock Foundation because its all about giving back to the kids, Cowens said. This was a great occasion to spend some time with the fans.
Celtics Tweet of the Week
@paulpierce34: another behind the scenes pic of my @si_sportskid of the year vid.. better or worse than my frog outfit from halloween? yfrog.comkephgdqj
Birthdays of the Week
Carlos Arroyo, who signed with the Celtics as a free agent in March, turned 32 on July 30. He averaged 2.4 points and 1.7 assists in 15 games as a back up point guard for the C's.Greg Kite, the Celtics first round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft, turned 50 on August 5. Kite played over four seasons for the C's and never averaged more than two points per game. He was waived by the Celtics in February of 1988.
This Week in NBA History
On July 31, 2007, Kevin Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and a pair of first round draft picks, and cash considerations.
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter at http:twitter.com!JCameratoNBA.