Shaquille O’Neal Is Disappointed at Paul George’s Commitment: “Once You Start Believing in That, You Become Much More Dangerous”

Never say never to Shaq. He’s made the return of TNT Tuesday all about his confidence in Paul George. However, Shaquille O’Neal expects him to bring it in words as much as in play. PG led the Clippers to a 128-117 win over an Oklahoma City Thunder side that’s got a couple of Shaq faves in their roster. Yet, when George played it humble about his team’s championship chances, Big Diesel was having none of it.

“I would’ve like him to say ‘We’re gonna win the championship’,” Shaquille O’Neal told his co-hosts. “When they asked the question ‘How far do you want to go,’ I would’ve liked him to say, ‘We’ve got all the ingredients to win a championship’.” Bringing in his co-host and WNBA star, Candace Parker, Shaq added, “Me and Candace, we know- once you start thinking like that, once you start believing in that, you become more dangerous.” 

New regular analyst, Jamal Crawford summarized Shaq’s sentiment with, “You gotta say you believe it, we gonna chase it.” Adam Lefkoe asked what O’Neal didn’t like about George’s answer. Shaq countered he never said he didn’t like the response, he just would’ve liked him to say something to reinforce his championship chances.

Paul George led the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 34 minutes. His teammates, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden aided him with 16 points each. With those stats, the 4x NBA champion asked the 6’8 wing that question for a reason.

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If George showed some championship panache, Shaq would’ve unabashedly backed the Clippers. “You have to believe we can win a championship. That’s the first thing you have to do is believe we can win, think and think, up and down, they definitely have what it takes,” O’Neal said. He’s even slowly convincing his co-hosts too.

Shaquille O’Neal weighed in on the Clippers’ chances

Shaq’s on a sudden Clippers hypetrain on TNT Tuesday. He’s hinging on Paul George and James Harden to not be injured and fade into the background in order for the Los Angeles Clippers to go farther. “You have the talent to get it down. When you have the talent to get it down, it starts here.” 

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Speaking of the ‘ingredients’ they have, O’Neal referred to Leonard, Harden, and Russell Westbrook who went 11-2-4 along with PG. The others also mentioned Mason Plumlee who scored 11 points and Norman Powell who put up 8. “The more you say it, the more you believe it,” O’Neal said referring to the co-hosts seeing a lot of good pieces in the team.

With teammates like this, Shaq wanted Paul George to manifest the championship mentality. He’ll just have to get it right next time.