Candace Parker may still be an active athlete—as she recently joined the Chicago Sky's WNBA basketball team. But that doesn't mean she isn't killing it on the sidelines. She joined NBA on TNT show as a host along with giants, like Shaquille O'Neal, and she proves time and time again why she is the GOAT.
In fact, the popular charismatic duo have been taking over sports fans' hearts with classic commentary to keep us all coming back.
Recently, Candace and Shaq's banter made headlines when co-host Adam Lefkoe asked Parker for her opinion, he referred to her as "reigning Defensive Player of the Year." Which. She. Was. After all, she led the WNBA in defensive rebounds and was in the top 10 for blocked shots per game last season. #hairflip
"You were Defensive Player of the Year?!" Shaq asked. Her quick wit countered in the best way possible as she said:
"Take the surprise out your voice, Shaq."
Classic.
And the best part of it all is this isn't the first, or thirtieth, time she has gotten Shaq's ponytail together. O'Neal argued the WNBA, which is celebrating its 25th season this year, has finally gained popularity as it pushes to be viewed equally alongside the NBA. He then suggested lowering the rim to allow women to dunk. He called it "the final missing piece to make the women's game just as exciting as the men's league."
Well, sis wasn't feeling that whaaaaatsoever as she immediately said:
"Nah."
Shaq continued to plead his case to the panel, to which she didn't care a single bit. After all, she is the first to dunk in a women's NCAA tournament game, and the second ever in the WNBA. She snapped back:
"It's coming...My next child will be drop step dunking."
Let him know!
Honestly though, the best part of seeing them work together is knowing that Black women are making their mark in sports commentating. And not only making a mark, carving it. Read on for 5 other Black women making a name in the sports commentator game.
Jemele Hill lives and breathes sport commentating as former host of 'Number's Never Lie' and 'His & Hers'.
Jemele Hill worked for ESPN for nearly 12 years, before retiring in 2018. She now writes for The Atlantic and co-hosts Vice's Cari & Jemele (Won't) Stick to Sports with Cari Champion (more on her later).
Alex Scott retired and began commentating to move the sport along.
Alex Scott is a British retired football (soccer) player for Arsenal. She commentates for BBC Sport and Sky Sports and was featured during the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also covers the English Premier League. Soccer fans are familiar with her resume as she became the first female football broadcaster at a World Cup for the BBC.
Cari Champion leveraged her personality to a highly-sought after voice in sports.
The 6'1'' California Native worked her way up to becoming an anchor for ESPN's SportsCenter and First Take with Stephen A. Smith. She left the network after almost six years in February 2020. She now co-hosts Cari & Jemele (Won't) Stick to Sports with Jemele Hill, and her message has remained the same throughout her career: "Use your platform for good."
Maria Taylor went from volleyball player to sideline reporter.
Maria Taylor is an analyst and host for ESPN and the SEC Network. She covers college football, college volleyball, NBA, NFL, and college men's and women's basketball. She recently made headlines for being selected as the commencement speaker for her alma mater, the University of Georgia.
Taylor Rooks is putting in the work to build upon her own legacy.
Taylor Rooks, the youngest of the bunch at 28, currently appears on Bleacher Report and Turner Sports. Two months out of college, she became an on-air host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network. She has built a large social media following and has a long career ahead of her.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Candace Parker/Instagram
- Inside the NBA: Watch Candace Parker school Shaq on NBA defense ›
- Candace Parker and Shaq are the internet's favorite basketball ... ›
- Candace Parker teaches Shaq about modern basketball - Los ... ›
- Candace Parker showed why Shaq doesn't understand modern ... ›
- Shaq, Candace Parker get into awkward debate on TNT postgame ... ›
- Shaq, Candace Parker & Chris Webber Show Love to Michigan ... ›
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Candace Parker Has Been Killin' It As An NBA Commentator & We're Obsessed