There is a never-ending debate about which basketball era was the best. Everyone —from fans to the media to former and current players has their rightful opinions on the matter. More often than not, former players and old heads glorify the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s as some of the best years in NBA history. While the ’70s was a highly competitive era where eight different franchises won the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it was also an era filled with controversies. During the ’70s, the on-court performances were a bit lackluster, the attendance was low, and so was the television viewership of the games. To top it all off, the stories beyond the court were filled with players abusing drugs.

Yet, some analysts, such as NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, believe that today’s generation is “soft” and would not have survived back in the day. Lakers superstar LeBron James- the face of today’s NBA- is determined to set the record straight and demands respect for the current generation of superstars. While on the ‘Mind the Game‘ podcast, the 40-year-old veteran star shared his thoughts on the same. “It’s a lot of nostalgia, there’s other factors, but like the game is great and we need to teach people to appreciate it,” James said. The LA star was speaking about why people need to appreciate the current style of play that has evolved a lot over time but doesn’t get as much respect as it should get from fans.

James further emphasized the point that everyone needs to understand that they are witnessing great basketball on a night-in and night-out basis. “Yeah, we just need to, I think, just have an appreciation, and I think if our will really go back and watch some of those games, they will realize then maybe that’s not something we want to see on a night-to-night basis.” He added. According to James, the fans appreciate today’s game less because they are spoiled for choice. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, that wasn’t the case. “The difference between our game now is that all of our games are on television, every single day either nationally, locally, or through league pass so you can watch all of our games. In the 80s and the 90s, you may be able to catch one game if you had it locally if your TV had a local broadcast deal you could catch it and if not then you may not see a game right for a long time.” Not every game was televised and people were able to watch way fewer games than today. That is what made the experience so special and made the games feel much better.

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports.

Concluding his reflections on the same, he added “I think the nostalgia of the game, I think it’s a deeper conversation of why we should appreciate and celebrate our game of basketball today and our athletes of today, just like the 60s and the 70s, and the 80s, and the 90s guys were celebrated, and the 2000 guys were celebrated.”  But while James out there is asking for today’s athletes to be respected, we have Shaq who thinks the league’s players are soft, still. But it doesn’t end there. Shaq had more to voice about not just today’s gen players but also LeBron on his The Big Podcast!

Shaquille O’Neal thrashes this era of players, calling them “soft”

The rift between the current players in the league and the older generation seems to keep getting bigger. The latest legend to join this ongoing debate is Shaquille O’Neal. During a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq singled out LeBron James and Clippers guard/forward Ben Simmons. “Definitely,” Shaq said when asked if LeBron’s longevity is a byproduct of lesser physicality in today’s game. “Less physical. Right now, if you get a flagrant foul, you get fined (and) suspended. Guys aren’t even f—–g fouling hard no more.”

“Back before I played, it was crazy, but when I played, it was crazy… People get mad. It’s just a product of what I see,” He added. Moreover, Shaq even questioned today’s generation’s greatness. He feels that after playing alongside superstars from that era, no one from the current selections deserves the same props as players from his era. Well, he isn’t the first legend to throw shade on the current generations by calling them “soft”. Frequently, this is met with a similar response as players think it’s just hate from the older generation. Nonetheless, Big Shaq doesn’t care about all of that. “You ain’t f—–g great, and I’m great. How can I hate on you? That don’t make no f—–g sense,” He said.

Meanwhile, he also questioned the outrageous paycheck Clippers guard Ben Simmons is cashing. “Ben f—–g Simmons, that m———-r needs to be arrested. $250 million for that s–t? … Robbing people, man.” Shaq ranted. While you could debate everything else, Simmons making $250 million is a robbery, no matter which era you represent. Shaquille O’Neal also gave a few players their flowers, including Denver’s Nikola Jokić, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and a few more, but that was it. This really makes you think: Are the current generations, including stars like LeBron James, soft? Or are the old heads simply hating on them? The debate doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. But what do you think about it all? Share your opinions with us in the comments.