Shaquille O’Neal Sparks Controversy with Harsh Critique of Young NBA Stars

Los Angeles, CA — Shaquille O’Neal, the former NBA superstar and Hall of Famer, has ignited controversy with recent remarks aimed at two of the league’s top young centers, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder. During an episode of The Big Podcast, O’Neal expressed his belief that, if he were still playing, he would make both players ‘quit.’

O’Neal, who won four NBA championships and was named an All-Star 15 times, was unapologetic in his critique of the modern game. He stated, ‘I would make both of them mother****ers quit,’ referencing Wembanyama and Holmgren’s talent and skill during the current season.

The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama and 7-foot-1 Holmgren have emerged as key figures in the NBA, showcasing their skills with impressive play in their early careers. O’Neal, who is listed at 7 feet 1 inch and has fluctuated between 325 and 350 pounds throughout his career, argued that he would dominate them in a matchup due to his size advantage.

He stated, ‘I hate putting myself forward in time but… I’m going to back his a** and elbow right in his mother****ing mouth.’ His comments reflected a nostalgia for the style of play during his prime, where physicality was emphasized over the perimeter shooting that dominates the game today.

O’Neal’s perspective aligns with a bygone era of basketball, where post play was more prevalent. He continued, ‘You know what they’re going to do all night? Shoot the mother****ing 3. And if you miss, I’m going to run right by you and ****ing post, and you’re going to be screaming, ‘Three seconds!’ I’m going to make the mother****er quit.’

Fans and analysts quickly responded to O’Neal’s bold statements, with many pushing back against his assertions about the modern NBA and the capabilities of its players. One fan tweeted, ‘Dude make it stop,’ while another pointed out that O’Neal’s own weight could not keep up with that of the young stars. ‘You probably weigh more than the two combined,’ read the tweet, reflecting a common sentiment among social media users.

While O’Neal boasts an impressive career average of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks on 58.2 percent shooting, his own limited three-point shooting—he attempted just 22 three-pointers in his 19-year career—has drawn scrutiny in comparison to Wembanyama’s and Holmgren’s developing games.

Wembanyama has recorded averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks while shooting 46.9 percent through 117 games, including a notable 33.9 percent from three-point range with 797 attempts to date. These statistics highlight a significant shift in the type of offensive skillsets expected from today’s big men.

Adding fuel to the fire, O’Neal openly criticized Ben Simmons, another player with a tumultuous career, saying, ‘Ben Simmons (needs) to be ****ing arrested. $250 million for that bull***? Get the **** out of my face. Robbing people, man.’

Former Lakers guard Ron Harper, who played beside O’Neal during his dominant years with Los Angeles, voiced support for O’Neal’s comments in a post on X, showing solidarity with the Hall of Famer’s perspective on the league’s current athletes. Despite the ongoing debate regarding O’Neal’s views on modern players, it remains a topic that resonates with many basketball fans.