“Not the Case for Kobe, Brady or LeBron”: Days After Michael Jordan Slander, “Uniquely Physically Gifted” Shaquille O’Neal Gets a Serious Reality Check

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ByRanjitha Ramesh

Mar 30, 2023 | 11:10 AM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal, nicknamed “Shaq,” was a dominating basketball player during his prime days in the 1990s and early 2000s. Standing 7 foot 1 inch tall and weighing over 300 pounds, Shaq’s stature and agility were unrivaled on the floor. He was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor, noted for his remarkable offensive talents, defensive brilliance, and rim-rattling dunks. Shaq’s extraordinary athletic strength, along with his persistent desire and ferocious competitive drive, catapulted him to great success and multiple honors throughout his career.

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In a recent episode of UNDISPUTED on NBA, Colin Cowherd commented on Shaquille’s prime days in The NBA.

Colin Cowherd on Shaquille O’Neal

Colin Cowherd, during his recent appearance on UNDISPUTED on NBA, had his eyes locked on Shaquille O’Neal. The commentator listed around 7-8 players who fall into the category of being “uniquely physically gifted”. Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shaquille O’Neal all fall into that category. However, Colin had more to say about Shaquille O’Neal.

He commented, “To me Shaq has always been Wilt, probably the greatest physical talent in the history of the sport at his position. But I think he would also admit movies, deejaying, videos, they were part of the package. Basketball was a part… it was a part of Shaq’s life, in his prime. That was not the case for Kobe, Brady, or LeBron.”

Colin claimed that Shaquille O’Neal lacked focus. And the giant did do a good bit of experimenting throughout his playing career. Apart from being an complete unit on the court, he had also put himself out in the music scene. The mogul experimented with deejaying out of his pure love for music. Flash forward to his post-playing career, Shaq, under the moniker of DJ Diesel, established himself as a successful and respectable figure in the music industry. He is also a successful entrepreneur, with over 50 brands associated with him. He also had a venture with five guys’ burger restaurants. Unlike Koby, Brady, or LeBron who had dedicated their prime fervently to basketball, Shaq was the Jack of all trades, with basketball being just a part of the activities he was involved in.

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Colin Cowherd rips up Michael Jordan

Colin Cowherd, a well-known sports pundit, launched a scathing attack on Michael Jordan in a recent episode of his podcast. Jordan’s desire to sell his stake in the Charlotte Hornets triggered the argument. The commentator, on the other hand, used the chance to bash Jordan’s post-playing career. Cowherd said that there would be no Jordan mythology without the skills of Jordan’s former teammate, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson. According to Colin, Jordan’s post-playing career was marred by negligent business choices. He also failed to establish a successful team in Charlotte.

"Take out Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson, this whole Michael Jordan mythology is sort of just that"
—@ColinCowherd on the reality of MJ pic.twitter.com/hfu58OIxr1
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 17, 2023

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Watch This Story: Michael Jordan Linked With This NFL Team After Reports Of Considering To Sell Majority Stakes In Hornets

Cowherd’s take on Jordan’s career went viral on social media with many analysts and fans weighing in. Some came to Jordan’s defense, bringing up his accolades, including 6 NBA championships and 5 MVP awards. Others resonate with Cowherd’s remarks, emphasizing Jordan’s shortcomings as an owner and executive. What are your thoughts on Colin’s comments about Jordan?