Shaquille O’Neal has always got himself into controversies and debates over his time as an analyst. The legend has gone into a tug of war with several basketball players due to his straightforward attitude. While Shaq is notorious for his criticism, he has never shied away from giving credit where credit is deserved.
The former Los Angeles Lakers legend has not only criticized players and franchises, but the league itself too. Over the years, Shaq has criticized the people behind the league for making the league less interesting. Not only has he picked out the bad parts of the league, but has also provided the remedies for making the NBA more interesting and competitive. Shaq’s behavior was evident in his recent podcast where he talks about the dunk contest.
Shaquille O’Neal’s hit at the dunk contest
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While the past few years’ Slam Dunk contests were arguably nothing close to fun, this year’s dunk contest had it all. It had all the thrill and fun and surpassed past year’s contests. While talking in one of his episodes of ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’ after the contest, Shaquille O’Neal took an indirect hit at the league runner, Adam Silver, for making the dunk contests less interesting.
While talking about restoring the competition in the dunk contests, Shaq said, ?They should put a Rolls-Royce Cullinan for first place. A convertible Rolls-Royce for second place and a Benz for third place since we got all these sponsors.? Had league runners considered Shaq’s idea, Mac McClung would have won a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Mac McClung was the star at this year’s Slam Dunk contest. Even Shaq himself went to give his approval to McClung after watching his dunking skills.
While hosting Mac McClung in his latest podcast, Shaq revealed how he has been a fan of the 24-year-old since high school. Even before the start of the contest, Shaq went to McClung to give him some big advice.
Shaq told him to make the world remember his name and not to miss a dunk. While talking about this incident in his podcast, Shaq revealed how he thinks McClung is too good and ready for the NBA.
Shaquille O’Neal takes a hit at the NBA again
While encouraging the Philadelphia 76ers player, Shaq went on to claim that McClung is already ready for the NBA. Shaq poked Adam Silver again by pointing toward how he feels the NBA is not competitive enough anymore. According to Shaq, McClung was already ready for the NBA, but the showrunners did not show any interest in him.
He feels the 24-year-old had to do something different to get into the NBA. While talking about McClung’s entry into the NBA, Shaq said, “He (McClung) has got to take a different route. He is from Virginia; he is not soft. Mac was going to go in and steal the show. I knew that from the beginning.”?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
McClung has only played two matches in the NBA, one with the Lakers and one with the Chicago Bulls. Recently, he also signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on February 14, 2023. Four days later, on February 18, McClung went to win the Slam Dunk contest.
Even after winning the Slam Dunk contest, McClung is yet to feature in any of the 76ers’ games. While he has got jaw-dropping dunking skills, would he play in the NBA anytime soon remain to be seen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you think Mac McClung will ever make it big, considering his potential? Do let us know in the comments below.