via Getty
Shaquille O’Neal speaks during Pepsi Stronger Together and CTG Foundation Atlanta Law Enforcement on in McDonough, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)
via Getty
Shaquille O’Neal speaks during Pepsi Stronger Together and CTG Foundation Atlanta Law Enforcement on in McDonough, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)
Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominant players to ever play the game of basketball. He could bully anyone down in the post. Even though he was a poor shooter, he managed to be the best player on the floor more often than not. There haven’t been many centers since then who have dominated the league the way prime Shaq did.
The way the game of basketball is played has changed massively since Shaq was dominating his opposition. Today’s players, centers included, are expected to be mobile in their movement to create space and guard multiple positions on the floor.
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Getting the ball in the low-post and powering your way to the rim isn’t the style of play anymore. Kevin Durant, one of the best players of this generation, certainly feels Shaq would have found it difficult to be effective in today’s NBA.
KD doubts effectiveness of Shaquille O’Neal In today’s game
Even though today’s game of basketball is played at a high pace, Shaq would have probably been as unstoppable as he was in his prime. That’s certainly what the big man himself believes. He clapped back at Durant after he said Shaq would have struggled to play against the pick-and-roll offense of the current Golden State Warriors.
Shaq was tough to stop back in the day 💪 pic.twitter.com/qsaI6o9ZCP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 10, 2022
Shaq replied, “I don’t have to stop anyone I have to be stopped which is impossible to do. Well it was I’m old now.” It can be argued that his statement is true. It was never about Shaq stopping someone, rather it was about finding any means necessary to stop him.
WATCH THIS STORY: 3 Current NBA Stars Taller Than Shaq
Teams would throw multiple men onto Shaq in the hope of slowing him down. When that ploy didn’t succeed, there was only one thing remaining: the ‘Hack-A-Shaq’ strategy.
Fans took to Twitter to give their opinion on the topic
The NBA world reacted to the exchange between KD and Shaq. Some agreed with KD’s take while the others backed Shaq. Joel Embiid‘s name was also thrown into the picture.
Fully Healthy Joel Embid beats prime Shaq. Hot take I know, but if Hakeem gave shaq problems early in his career then Prime shaq (which is 20 to 25 pounds heavier) can't match up with Embid. But Embid can guard Shaq.
— Adam Sliver's Burner (@SliverBurner) June 11, 2022
That man cannot guard shaq you are crazy. He might give him problems on offense tho
— Drew (@Residentslicee) June 11, 2022
tbf KD isn’t wrong. shaq was notoriously bad in PnR coverage and he would get torn up with high screens in today’s NBA. that said, even in this era he’d be one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history
— Domenic (@domenic821) June 10, 2022
Of all the greats, Shaq has been swept more than anyone. So obviously people stopped him
— Pippen Aint Easy (@MiahMarvelous) June 10, 2022
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Shaq is right. Forget about Shaq guarding anyone…with how lineups are constructed these days, there're not enough big men who can matchup and contain Shaq. Do you expect 6'6-6'8 players to defend him? They'll all be in foul trouble, you can't have that
— Earl (@chainryva) June 11, 2022
I'm pretty sure Shaq's dominant scoring would negate any defensive liability he had
— Sam (@Sam_Im_Is) June 11, 2022
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Shaquille O’Neal was the best player in the NBA during his prime. He won multiple championships and individual accolades. It can be argued his effectiveness might have decreased in today’s NBA, but he would have still been one of the best players. Embiid is an excellent player, but he still has a long way to go if he wants to match Shaq’s feats.
