Adam Silver Responds to Shaquille O’Neal’s Claim that the NBA is ‘Boring’

In a recent exchange, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed comments made by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who claimed that the league has become “boring” due to its increasing reliance on the 3-point shot. O’Neal, known for his dominant playing style, pointed out that the uniform strategy of teams focusing on 3-pointers, particularly influenced by players like Steph Curry, makes the game less exciting.

O’Neal expressed his concerns about the declining viewership of the NBA, attributing it to the repetitive nature of the game. “Everybody is running the same plays…Steph Curry and those guys messed it up. I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes, but every team isn’t a 3-point shooter. So why everybody has the same strategy? I think it makes the game boring,” he said.

Commissioner Adam Silver responded to O’Neal’s comments during an appearance at the Paley Center for Media’s International Council Summit. Silver playfully countered O’Neal’s criticism, highlighting the diversity and evolution of the game. “There’s so much diversity in Shaq’s game, I can’t believe he said that,” Silver joked, referencing O’Neal’s limited range beyond the paint. Silver also noted that critics during O’Neal’s playing days complained about the lack of variation in his game, focusing on his dunking ability.

Silver emphasized that the NBA has adapted to changes in the game before, such as moving the 3-point line to make shooting more challenging. However, he did not indicate any immediate plans to alter the game further. Despite the debate, Silver maintained that the NBA is more popular than ever, citing increased social media attention and a significant increase in the new TV contract.