NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has been outspoken with his opinions on NBA athletes moving to other leagues. He considers this shift to be an advantage for NBA players as the league is more competitive and stacked with basketball talent. O’Neal refrains from praising former NBA players for their domination in other basketball leagues and often mocks them, using them as the butts for his jokes.
Recently, O’Neal trolled Dwight Howard for playing in the T1 League in Taiwan. Now, another NBA player has signed with an outside league and can become a subject of O’Neal’s wit.
An ex-NBA player signed a contract to play in Puerto Rico
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Former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins has decided to take his talents to Puerto Rico. The former NBA player recently signed a contract with the Guaynabo Mets of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league.
DeMarcus’ NBA career went south after some major injuries, including a torn Achilles, ACL and damaged quadriceps. His injuries turned him into a role player from being a superstar on the team. A 4-time NBA All-Star, Cousins played for 7 NBA teams through his 12-year NBA career, averagin 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a block. In his BSN debut, Cousins scored 31 points, grabbing 19 rebounds and blocking 4 shots.
Demarcus Cousins @boogiecousins getting BUSY in Puerto Rico 31pts 19reb 4blk (5/8 3FG) last game 🔥 Got the commentators going crazy after the blocks 😂 @bsnpr pic.twitter.com/fzgOCT16HA
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) May 9, 2023
However, this is precisely why Shaquille O’Neal feels that players who move to other leagues are robbing the NBA of the heights it can reach. Another player who found himself at the business end of Shaq’s jibes is former leaguer Dwight Howard.
Dwight Howard is dominating in Taiwan’s T1
Dwight Howard plays in the T1 basketball league in Taiwan, balling for the Taoyuan Leopards. He is virtually the best player in the league. The 37-year-old is averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds, utilizing his famed physical abilities and his NBA experience. Howard’s average over his 18 NBA seasons was 15 points, 12 rebounds and a block.
A 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Howard won his only championship with the LA Lakers and has 8 NBA All-star appearances. Shaquille O’Neal criticized Howard for his dominance over less physically gifted and less talented basketball players in Taiwan.
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What do you think about DeMarcus Cousins’ move out of the NBA? Do you agree with Shaquile O’Neal about such players? Share your views in the comments below!
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