Shaquille O’Neal recalled an argument with his son Myles during an August 2025 appearance on “Armchair Expert“. O’Neal said Myles picked him up after he landed in Los Angeles and that he noticed a strong smell inside the car.
O’Neal reacted angrily, but Myles calmly defended himself by pointing to his academic performance, his age, and California’s laws. He admitted that the response left him with nothing more to say.
A tense moment between father and son
O’Neal said Myles picked him up after he arrived in Los Angeles and that he noticed a strong smell inside the car. O’Neal initially reacted with anger and described the exchange as intense, although he said he stopped himself from becoming physical.
Myles responded without escalating the argument. He laughed, told his father that he meant no disrespect and asked whether O’Neal had seen his latest report card. His calm response steered the conversation away from the smell inside the car and toward his record of meeting his father’s expectations.
That calm response caught Shaq completely off guard almost instantly. He expected pushback or silence, not a smooth and composed reply. The tone of the whole moment shifted before Shaq even realized what had happened.
Myles turns the tables on Shaq
Myles asked his father whether he had seen his latest report card. O’Neal said Myles had earned all A’s, allowing Myles to point to his academic performance and record of following his father’s expectations. The question seemed random and unrelated at first, but it carried a very clear purpose.
Myles then reminded O’Neal that he was 21 at the time and argued that it pointed to California. O’Neal said the response left him speechless and described Myles as having checkmated him. Good grades quickly became the strong foundation for the argument that followed.
Then Myles delivered the response that ended the debate. He reminded O’Neal that he had always met his father’s expectations and pointed out that he was 21 at the time and that he was acting within California law.
The report card that changed everything
Myles began his response by reminding O’Neal about his latest report card, which O’Neal said contained all A’s. He then argued that he had consistently met his father’s expectations before pointing to his age and California law. His response showed that he understood the importance his father placed on responsibility and academic performance.
The report card helped Myles present himself as a responsible student who consistently met his obligations. O’Neal admitted that the argument left him speechless and agreed that his son had checkmated him. That made Myles’ broader point much harder for O’Neal to challenge.
Shaq later admitted he had nothing left to say after that moment. He publicly called the exchange a checkmate, using his own exact words. Even a dominant personality like Shaq can lose a well-built argument to simple logic.
The law supported Myles’ argument
California is legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. California allows adults 21 and older to purchase and possess limited amounts of certain regulated products, although federal restrictions and state-specific rules still apply.
O’Neal said Myles was 21 when the encounter occurred in Los Angeles, making his age-based argument broadly consistent with California law. However, state law still prohibits impaired driving and places restrictions on the use and storage of alcohol inside vehicles.
Public attitudes toward the issue have changed significantly across the United States over the past decade. What once often led to punishment is now viewed more broadly as a personal choice. Myles simply pointed out the changing reality to his father.
Fun fact: O’Neal earned a doctoral degree in education from Barry University in 2012.
Shaq draws his own personal line
O’Neal said he has never been interested in certain adult habits because he dislikes the smell. He prefers spending time with friends in relaxed social settings and has maintained clear personal boundaries throughout his life.
O’Neal has also enforced strict rules at family events involving his underage children. While supervising Shareef O’Neal’s 16th birthday celebration, he made it clear that guests were expected to behave responsibly and follow the rules.
His personal choices show that he is comfortable setting firm boundaries for himself and his family. That context makes his initial reaction during the conversation with Myles easier to understand.
The NBA once prohibited certain substances
Under earlier collective bargaining agreements, the NBA prohibited certain substances for players. Its disciplinary process generally escalated from treatment requirements to fines and suspensions rather than imposing an immediate, lengthy suspension after every positive test.
The league and the National Basketball Players Association updated the prohibited-substance policy under the collective bargaining agreement that took effect on July 1, 2023. The agreement ended routine testing for certain substances but retained a treatment program and penalties for players who fail to comply with required treatment.
O’Neal retired in 2011, meaning his entire NBA career took place before the league formally changed its policy on prohibited substances. He retired years before the league updated its rules, while his son’s generation now lives under very different standards.
Parenting lessons hidden in the moment
Every parent expects some level of respect when confronting a child directly. Shaq expected the same when he questioned Myles about the strong smell inside the car. Instead, he received a valuable lesson in staying composed under pressure.
Myles showed that facts and calm words can easily beat raised voices. He did not argue with anger or try to make excuses for himself. He simply stated the truth and let it speak for itself clearly.
The whole exchange also shows how deep their trust already is. Shaq could laugh at losing the argument instead of getting angry. That reaction reveals a strong bond hiding behind all the humor.
What this says about changing times
O’Neal’s anecdote reflects a period in which state cannabis laws have changed considerably. Adult-use cannabis is now permitted or regulated in 24 states and Washington, D.C., although federal restrictions and state-specific rules remain in place.
O’Neal retold the disagreement humorously and acknowledged that Myles had successfully countered his argument. The exchange offers a relatable example of a parent reconsidering an issue after an adult child responds with evidence and composure.
In the end, the story became a lighthearted memory for the whole family. Shaq shared it publicly with humor rather than any real frustration. It shows that even legends get outsmarted by their own kids sometimes.
Little-known fact: O’Neal has served in reserve or deputy law-enforcement roles with multiple U.S. agencies, including departments in Miami Beach, Doral, and the Port of Los Angeles.
TL;DR
- Shaq noticed a strong smell inside his son Myles’ car and confronted him about it.
- Myles calmly brought up his perfect report card first.
- He then noted that he was 21 and acting in accordance with California law.
- Shaq admitted he had no response and called it a checkmate.
- The story highlights how much parenting norms shift across generations.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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