While WNBA standout Candace Parker’s decision to come home has been a lift for the Chicago Sky, different beneficiaries include Portillo’s and Harold’s Chicken Shack.
Due to Parker and fellow studio analyst Dwyane Wade, the 2 Chicago-based fast-food chains have loved national plugs — including a little bit of late-night TV exposure on their “NBA on TNT” show.
Parker talked about leaving the Los Angeles Sparks after 13 seasons, 5 all-star selections, two Most Valuable Player awards, and a championship. She has returned to the Chicago area where both she and Wade grew up — Parker a star at Naperville Central and Wade at Oak Lawn’s Richards High School.
“The welcome has been warm,” she instructed host Adam Lefkoe and the third TNT analyst available, Shaquille O’Neal, after the network’s Tuesday NBA doubleheader telecast. “D-Wade and I, we’re going to have Portillo’s onset at some point for you all.”
Wade, it turned out, arranged for some Harold’s hen to be delivered to their Atlanta set in the course of the postgame present after the Celtics-Warriors nightcap.
“I tried to get Portillo’s,” Wade mentioned, explaining Harold’s has an Atlanta outlet whereas the new canine, burger, and Italian beef eatery with the chocolate cake shake do not.
Parker appeared stunned when O’Neal, citing a food plan, opted to not partake.
Candace Parker seemed a tad surprised when Shaquille O’Neal declined some fried chicken during #TNT’s #NBA postgame show. pic.twitter.com/oxtIYMBX9A
— Phil Rosenthal (@phil_rosenthal) February 3, 2021
However O’Neal additionally appeared to react to the thought of Chicago fried hen in Atlanta as a coals-to-Newcastle situation, and, it ought to be famous, he has business pursuits within the meals business.
Wade, too, mentioned he was dieting, although that didn’t cease him during the first half of TNT’s Nets-Clippers opener from retweeting a Parker put up about Portillo’s, echoing her affection.
“Hey @portilloshotdog my name is Dwyane Wade and I’m @Candace_Parker good friend and I like you guys as nicely,” he tweeted.
Hey @portilloshotdog my name is Dwyane Wade and I’m @Candace_Parker friend and I love you guys as well https://t.co/nMcyhnyz7y
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 3, 2021
It wasn’t clear whether they have been campaigning for free eats, some sort of endorsement deal, or both.
Hey @DwyaneWade we're Portillo's and we love you too. Do you like your Italian beef dipped or dunked? https://t.co/LeQnYfEygw pic.twitter.com/NrLDbhkwF2
— Portillo's (@portilloshotdog) February 3, 2021
Parker earlier Tuesday rattled off her most well-liked Portillo’s order — a fish sandwich with cheese, jumbo chili cheese canine sans onions, massive fries, and cake shake with a chunk of chocolate cake to go for later — during her Sky news conference.
Need to stock up on those breaded whitefish sandwiches with cheese. 🥪
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 2, 2021
News of her signing with the Sky apparently prompted a few of her new teammates to ship her a Portillo’s chocolate cake.
Parker reiterated her endorsement of the chili cheese dog for TNT viewers. Wade additionally might be heard mentioning Portillo’s simply as their Nets-Clippers halftime present went to a commercial break.
Yaaaassss tell me your order!!! https://t.co/wD6zuA0uxu
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) February 3, 2021
“But it’s a dream for all of us kids from Chicago to play at home, and for her to have this opportunity at this level in her profession when she still has so much left in the tank to be able to assist a crew on the cusp (such because the) Chicago Sky … I’m excited for her. I’m excited about the city. And I’m actually excited for the tradition that she’s going to have the ability to deliver to the Chicago Sky.”
Parker spoke about how NBA and WNBA gamers are empowered overtime to regulate their very own destinies. She mentioned she would by no means demand a trade, however with her contractual obligations with the Sparks full, “I completed what I began, and being an unrestricted (free) agent is doing what you need.”
Yaaaassss tell me your order!!! https://t.co/wD6zuA0uxu
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) February 3, 2021
O’Neal mentioned Parker “definitely did it the right method” and that “all younger females ought to positively have a look at her and try to observe her, try to emulate her.”
“She made a great level,” O’Neal mentioned. “She completed what she began and now, as an unrestricted free agent, Candace Parker the legend will get to control her personal destiny. She had lots of choices, but she mentioned: what? I need to go house.”
O’Neal then mentioned Parker solely has “about three, four, maybe five more years left” as a participant, which elicited one other look on Parker’s face, this time pained.
But O’Neal suggested he solely was making an attempt to present her leverage for more money.
If that doesn’t take the cake, she can always get one with a chili cheese dog when she will get again into town. Maintain the onions.
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