Stephen A. Smith Claims “Shaquille O’Neal Is Sleeping on Somebody”; Goes on a 2-Minute Rant Against Shaq’s TNT Colleague and Podcast Co-Host

Is Stephen A. Smith on Shaquille O’Neal‘s side or not? That’s a little vague. If fans recall, the big pot-stirrer caused another frenzy in relation to Victor Wembanyama recently. This time, he dragged Chet Holmgren into the mix, only to say it’s too early to project the OKC youngster as a ‘phenomenal’ big man. Prefacing his acknowledgment for Shaq’s statement, Smith not only disagreed, but he also had a bone to pick with the co-host of The Big Podcast, Adam Lefkoe.

The ESPN veteran said on his eponymous show, “Shaquille O’Neal is sleeping on somebody on the Oklahoma City Thunder.” He’s referring to Holmgren, of course. Smith referenced the moment Lefkoe asked Udonis Haslem how Shaq would compare to Chet and Wemby. A TNT staple, Lefkoe is now part of The Big Podcast reboot. He irked Shaq with his comments on the current rookie class of the NBA. As a late disclaimer, Smith added, “By the way does great work, love him,” about Lefkoe but he thoroughly disparaged the question.

He expressed that the rookies are not comparable to Shaq in terms of physique which made Lefkoe’s question redundant. “Any coach worth his salt wouldn’t even put them in the same vicinity as Shaq,” the 56-year-old rightfully claimed. Holmgren is listed as 7’1″ and 195 lbs. Wemby is at 210lbs. During his Laker years, Shaq was close to 400lbs, nearly the combined weight of the two rookies. And of course, Big Diesel had enough athleticism to dominant bigger men like Dikembe Mutombo.

Stephen A. Smith went as far as to say that he himself looks like Dwayne Johnson next to the “skinny” Holmgren and Wembanyama. “They’re toddlers compared to Shaq,” strictly by weight.

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Smith also brought up that epic moment in 1999 when Shaq ruthlessly dunked on Knicks star, Chris Dudley, who was half his weight. He even referenced Shaq humiliating Wemby’s predecessor, David Robinson. But that’s where his Shaq goggles come off.

The ESPN icon might favor O’Neal on the hardwood but he doesn’t necessarily agree with his analysis off-court.

Stephen A. Smith and Shaquille O’Neal disagree on the Rookie of the Year race

Poor Lefkoe. First Shaq scolds him for prematurely using adjectives like “dominant” for rookies in their first season. Now Smith hates his line of questioning. In all fairness, Smith didn’t agree with Shaq either.

The ESPN veteran acknowledged his sentiment though. “I appreciate where he’s coming from. Because all he’s saying is you got to earn it.” Regardless, Smith is not ready to discount Holmgren.

Smith used hard stats to show that Holmgren and Thunder are leading better than the San Antonio Spurs and their teenage phenom. He’s pitting him for championship contention, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Chet Holmgren looks like he’s on a team that could challenge for the title,” and he’s willing to bet he’ll make Rookie of the Year over Wemby.

The 7’4 Frenchman’s biggest fan, Shaq, might have something to say about that. After all, Stephen A. Smith is not the only one with a podcast.

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