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 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.

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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.

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.