It’s time for the biggest matchup of the Western Conference. No, it’s not the Lakers vs. Warriors, nope, not this time. Instead, the Dallas Mavericks will walk into the Crypto.com Arena on Friday, Feb.25. You know what this means? Yes, Luka Doncic and Mavs reunion. Now the question is: will it be a happy meeting or yet another bitter pill to digest? Meanwhile, LA Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has an important point about the Slovenian guard.

Simply put, Shaq doesn’t believe Luka Doncic could’ve survived in the 80s and 90s era of the NBA. Speaking on The Big Podcast, the 4x champ gave some cold responses to American comedian DC YoungFly. He believed the 25-year-old superstar wouldn’t find fitting into the Lakers of the 80s or 90s too difficult.

Shaquille O’Neal responded as unfazed as ever: “No, he couldn’t. We would have torn his little up nowhere.” Then the host noted that Luka Doncic isn’t particularly short; he stands tall at 6’6″. However, compared to Shaq’s 7’1″, the former magician of Dallas is pretty ‘tiny’. So, he could get a stiff arm on his chest amidst the scoring crowd in and around the paint. But the 52-year-old legend believes: “No he would’ve got an elbow.”

During the conversation, Diesel also bet on Doncic’s score against his ex-team. According to Shaq, Luka Doncic will have 34 points to his name with 9 assists. Despite past doubts about the Slovenian, Diesel is now confident Luka will shine next week.

But that’s not all. Shaq has also picked a player who would most likely make it through the tough terrains of the NBA in the 80s and 90s. And why is it always LeBron James, you might imagine? Well, it’s not even surprising at this point now, is it?

Not Luka Doncic, but LeBron James could play in the 80s and 90s era says Shaq

NBA legend Phil Jackson who has also coached Shaq during his Lakers stint thought LeBron James wasn’t built to dominate the league in the 80s and 90s. “Nope! I don’t think so, in that era, there was more defending, it was a very different game, a physical game, a tough and very rough game,” Jackson had stated. “This era is more of shooters than defenders, I don’t visualize him defending for an Isiah Thomas or a Dennis Rodmam wanting to take the ball. He’s a great athlete with a great physique, but he wouldn’t dominate that era, he’d be a more talented player.”

However, Shaquille O’Neal believes the Akron Hammer is the only one who would’ve been the perfect fit in the era of the greatest. Therefore when DC YoungFly asked: “Who do you see in today’s time that could have played during y’all time?” Without a moment’s hesitation, the Lakers icon said: “I think about that all the time… LeBron, of course. He did play Larry, KD also played Larry.” 

There may be doubts about Luka Doncic, but Shaq is sure of one thing. If anyone could play alongside him and Kobe in the ’90s, it’s Bron. Some question if the 40-year-old could handle the tough defense of that era. But Diesel believes he’s the only one who could match that force.

And now coming back to the present, the Lakers are surely making plans for the big night vs the the Mavericks next Friday. Will Luka Doncic’s reunion be an emotional one? Or will his villain arc begin? Well, you could place your bets on this!