It has been a little over a year since Shaq purchased the Cleveland Cavaliers and then later flipped them to the Phoenix Suns for Amar’e Stoudemire, and now he’s back to work, signing off on what many see as a return to greatness.
Shaq says that today’s players are too sensitive and soft, noting that the talent is all there, but traveling and complaining is holding them back. Shaq also says that players today don’t want to work as hard as they did during his era. He believes that they are trying to undermine him, instead of working to better themselves and their game. He also thinks that today’s players spend too much time on the social media and not enough time on the court. He calls out Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins for being one of the softer players. He also names Milwaukee’s Jabari Parker and Washington’s Bradley Beal as players who are too sensitive and soft.
In a recent interview with an Australian news outlet, Shaquille O’Neal complained that “at this point in time, the NBA is filled with soft basketball players. Very soft, very sensitive”. I’m not saying they’re not talented, but I am saying they’re not tough enough to play the game of basketball. That’s the real problem. And there’s a lot of teams who have a lot of talent, but they don’t have the toughness to play the game of basketball.”
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t always well-liked by today’s basketball players. The Hall of Famer isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Current players’ emotions are sometimes wounded or their egos injured as a result of The Diesel’s remarks. But O’Neal doesn’t seem to mind if the new age disagrees with his views.
Bully-ball was a 19-year career for the three-time NBA Finals MVP, who used his strength and agility to pound opponents into submission. That isn’t to say that the 2000 NBA MVP can’t appreciate the brilliance on show in today’s league. He, on the other hand, isn’t as prone to tossing flowers about as others.
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz has been chastised by Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaquille O’Neal told Utah Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in January 2024 that he didn’t have what it took to go to the next level. Critics were eager to point the finger upon O’Neal, claiming that the alleged assault was uncalled for. The Utah House of Representatives even took advantage of the situation to gain cheap political points, adopting a resolution praising Mitchell over the superstar-turned-TV analyst/entrepreneur.
The legislature even suggested that “Spida” be designated as the official state arachnid (a fancy biological name for spider).
The four-time NBA champion seemed unfazed. He described his remarks as constructive criticism of Mitchell. When renowned big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar chastised him early in his Los Angeles Lakers career, O’Neal called it out. While expressing gratitude for Kareem’s words, the 14-time All-NBA center compared to today’s players as “pudding pops.”
O’Neal hasn’t bowed down despite the fact that it’s been months.
Shaquille O’Neal gave a comprehensive overview of his NBA career during a recent interview on the Full Send Podcast. In 1992, he debuted in the NBA, competing against Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. Later in his career, he saw the rise of a new generation of superstars like as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and others.
O’Neal was a three-time All-Defensive selection, but he believes the current generation of players has the defensive conduct market cornered.
“Extremely sensitive, delicate, and political. And I despise the word. However, others argue that since this is the age we live in, we must accept it. I grew up during the period of Mike, Charles, (Karl) Malone, and (John) Stockton, and I’ve seen what greatness looks like.
“One time I mentioned something about Donovan Mitchell, and everyone started slamming me. But they aren’t paying attention to what I’m saying. He’s a great player who’s just getting started. But if you’re trying to crown him as the next, don’t use my name until I’m No. 1 or No. 2.”
Shaquille O’Neal is a basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
During his career, O’Neal seen enough brilliance to appreciate it. And it’s a word he still doesn’t like.
Shaquille O’Neal’s concept of greatness
Shaquille O’Neal (L) was a bully as a player, but it doesn’t make him a bully when it comes to today’s players. | AFP/JEFF HAYNES/Getty Images
Shaquille O’Neal was one of 11 current players selected to the NBA’s list of the 50 best players of all time at its 1996 centennial celebration. With four seasons under his belt, he was by far the youngest. He was 24 years old at the time. As a result, he knows what it’s like to be both young and great.
The two-time NBA scoring champion thinks that the term “great” is overused these days.
“I played with Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, DWade, LeBron James, and Steve Nash, and I don’t know what great is if you ain’t on that level.”
Shaquille O’Neal is a basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The fact is that there is just as much brilliance today as there was in the past. It’s simply another level of awesomeness. Criticizing Bill Russell for being too skinny to be a great player in today’s NBA is as ridiculous as saying that today’s superstars would not have been as dominating then as they are now.
Russell is 6-foot-10 and weighs 215 pounds. O’Neal was a 7-foot-1, 325-pound player. But think about it. Do you believe Russ would have gained a lot of weight if he had access to modern diet and exercise technology?
What about the criticisms that the older generation of players lacked shooting range? A big man’s position in their period was on the low block, allowing the ball to be hammered inside.
It’s because of how the game was played. If today’s players were transported back in time, they would adapt. However, the same may be said about bringing back stars from the past.
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Shaquille O’Neal made almost $300 million in the NBA, but he doesn’t want to be remembered for his wealth or statistics.
The most recent NBA season produced some of the most sensitive, soft-spoken players in league history. Shaquille O’Neal, who was named to the NBA’s All-Decade Team 2000’s, has taken to Twitter to express his disdain for the current crop of players.. Read more about shaquille o’neal children and let us know what you think.
