What Did Shaquille O’Neal Give Giannis Antetokounmpo In The Slam Dunk Contest? Bucks’ Superstar Reveals Online

This NBA All-Star Saturday night was one for the history books. From the unprecedented Stephen Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu 3-pointer contest to the high-flying dunks in the Slam Dunk Contest, the second day of the star-studded weekend did not disappoint. One highlight of the night was when Osceola Magic G League guard Mac McClung leaped over 7ft 1in, 325 pounds Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to defend his Slam Dunk Contest title successfully.

For the final dunk of the night, McClung brought out his alma mater’s Gate City High School jersey with his name on the back and requested Shaq squeeze into it before he threw down an iconic reverse slam over the 4-time champion to draw five perfect scores. However, while the dunk secured his place as a back-to-back Slam Dunk champion, it also proved to be beneficial for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks star recently posted an Instagram video with a compilation of footage from this year’s Slam Dunk Contest. In the video, while Shaq was changing into McClung’s school jersey, Giannis slyly offered to help hold his jacket and proceeded to sport it while McClung edged out Jaylen Brown by 1 point with his final dunk that earned him 50 points. He offered, “Let me hold that for you. Hey Shaq, let me hold that for you, Shaq.”

Giannis then thanked The Big Aristotle for the jacket in the caption, “Thanks for the jacket @shaq.” However, the jacket was not the only thing Shaq gave to Giannis; he also followed it up with some advice.

Shaq’s advice to the struggling Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks had a strong start, but their recent performance has been disappointing. Their main issue this season has been their defense, dropping from fourth in defensive rating last season to 17th this year. The decision to trade Jrue Holiday, a five-time All-Defensive Team member, in the Lillard trade, has not helped. At times, their defense has completely collapsed, leading to them conceding nearly 120 points per game. This led them to hire their fourth coach since May.

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The team recently appointed Doc Rivers as their head coach. And to say that his era in Milwaukee did not start great would be an understatement. The team, which was leading the Eastern Conference a few weeks ago, has now slipped to third place with a 35-21 record, including a 3-7 record under Rivers.

Therefore, as the season enters its final stretch, Shaq told Lillard after he won the 2024 NBA All-Star Game MVP award, “You and Giannis, you’re being too nice. When it’s all said and done and [if] it don’t work out, three people are gonna get blamed: Doc, you and Giannis. So you and Giannis gotta make sure the troops get it done.”

He further contended that despite the change in coaching, the Bucks’ talent should be sufficient to keep them afloat. “There’s no reason that Doc and y’all are 3-7. When you get back, you’re gonna have to grab some people by the necks and say, ‘Hey, this is what I need you to do,'” added Shaq.

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