Rarely do fans get to see NBA legend Shaquille O?Neal fawning over any player. It is not every day that Shaq doles out praise regarding anyone. However, the four-time NBA champion had all the right things to say after the Los Angeles Lakers went up against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1. When asked what the Warriors could?ve done to slow down Anthony Davis, Shaq?s response was as daunting as it came.
The Los Angeles Lakers barely nicked past the Golden State Warriors in their first game of the series. But one of the biggest factors in the Lakers getting the win was the team?s All-Star big man, Anthony Davis.
Shaquille O’Neal could not get enough of Anthony Davis
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The crew at Inside the NBA had an in-depth conversation about the Warriors and Lakers Game 1. The hosts took a look at every Lakers player and how they contributed to the win over the Warriors.
One player that stood out to the Big Aristotle was eight-time All-Star, Anthony Davis. Shaq started off by saying, ?It?s all about AD. He has to continue to be aggressive, he has to continue to be consistent.
?My problem and Chuck?s problem with him is, he?ll have a great game, then he?ll have a sub-par game. He?ll have a great game, he?ll have a sub-par game. Last night he was dominant, 30 and 23, those are Hall of Fame championship-type numbers.?
This led co-host Ernie Johnson to ask what the Warriors could do in order to slow him down. In response, the Los Angeles Lakers legend replied, ?The answer is nothing because he has the ability to go inside and outside. Looney?s, I won?t sound disrespectful but a little slower than AD, a little shorter than AD. So, he should be able to shoot over the chair.?
Shaq exposes Golden State’s kryptonite
The analogy by Shaquille O?Neal could not be more on point. As both teams have stars that cancel out the opposing players, the Warriors do not have anyone on the roster to contain AD. As good as Kevon Looney is at what he does, he is no match for the 6?10 power forward.
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Davis is as versatile of a player as they come. Even Draymond Green won?t be able to slow him down as Davis has a big-size advantage over him. So, as the hosts discussed the types of defense, Shaq stuck with AD being the deciding factor for the next game.
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Shaq?s response was, ?AD?s been around the block, he?s seen every defense. If he puts his mind to it, the stuff they?re talking about would be null and void. Don?t matter, zone, man-to-man, switching all that. It?s all about AD tomorrow, period.?
Do you agree with Shaq? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!