In January of 2009, Dan Frommer of Silicon Alley Insider posted an article entitled "Is Shaq Bored With Twitter Already?," noting that O'Neal's posts to Twitter were down 89% from November 2008 to January 2009. The same day, O'Neal posted the following message to his Twitter account: "Im not bored Too much homework Workn on my doctorate Coming s oon Dr Shaq."Silicon Alley Insider: Is Shaq Bored With Twitter Already? (January 12, 2009) Silicon Alley Insider: Shaq: I'm Not Bored With Twitter (January 12, 2009)

The imposter also took the opportunity to talk trash about other NBA players such as Andrew Bogut. In a post, the twitter impostor tweeted, "On the plane back to #PHX, another Suns W. Bogut is Erika Dampier with a beard." Other tweets made by the impostor include the observation that the Phoenix Suns offense was "like the Pythagorean Theorem. There is no answer." and "Guys know if they need an instant bucket, they can come to me. As the son of Jor-El, it's in my nature to help others and save the universe."FanHouse: Shaq on Bogut: Erica Dampier with a Beard (November 9, 2008)

After Shaq received the news that an impostor was using his name on the social website, the superstar responded by creating a legitimate account. In an interview discussing the decision to join Twitter Shaq stated, "Somebody out there was trying to use my language and trying to speak for me. Rather than have that happen, I thought I'd do it myself. It's a fun thing. It's a way for fans to connect."New York Times: The real O'Neal puts his cyber foot down (November 19, 2008)

The impostor was revealed as Ward Andrews. Andrews explained his actions by stating, "All the longtime followers, over 500 followers, they know it’s a joke. I really didn’t have any intent to pull people’s leg. It was just to entertain."New York Times: The real O'Neal puts his cyber foot down (November 19, 2008)