As the first voting returns for the NBA All-Star Game 2023 came out recently, the?Inside the NBA?crew on TNT reacted to the numbers. As the crew debated the results, 4x NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal also gave his two cents on the results. Moreover, amidst a heated debate on the Eastern Conference frontcourt results, the Los Angeles Lakers legend issued a conflicting take that ended up snubbing a 6’8 superstar, who’s in contention for the NBA MVP this season.

Over the years, the Hall of Famer has issued several tough takes on various topics. Likewise, earlier this season, Shaq named Jayson Tatum alongside Luka Doncic, as his MVP frontrunner. However, when forced to make an impossible choice for the starting lineup of the All-Star game,?the Big Fella didn’t show the same love for the Boston Celtics’ 6’8” forward.?

Shaquille O’Neal’s conflicting All-Star game starting lineup

The first results for the NBA All-Star 2023 game came out recently. Unsurprisingly, familiar names topped the lists across the board. However, this time around, due to multiple MVP candidates and limited starter positions, both conferences have fierce competition for the starting lineup. The Eastern Conference frontcourt list, in particular, appears to be the most contentious in the field. The Inside the NBA?crew also resonated with a similar sentiment.?

Topping the list of the Eastern Conference frontcourt voting is Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, followed by Giannis Antetoukounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum. All the above forwards are among the favorites in the coveted MVP race. However, though they all are having All-time seasons, the frontcourt of the starting lineup will only feature three forwards in the All-Star game. Consequently, among these four, only three will be named starters. Therefore, Shaq the entire TNT panel engaged in a heated debate while deciding the top three picks for starters.?

The Big Aristotle issued a conflicting answer when asked to name his starters. He said, “KD’s definite, Giannis definite…I am going to have to go with the letter of the law, and he has more votes, I am gonna go with Joel Embiid.” Therefore, O’Neal ended up snubbing Jayson Tatum, who is currently averaging 30.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, while the Celtics have the best record (27-12) in the league.

Read More -?Naming Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum as MVP Favorites, Shaquille O?Neal Shows ?No Empathy? for Joel Embiid with a Hard to Swallow Pill

Moreover, O’Neal had Tatum as his MVP front-runner earlier this season, which Hall of Famer Charles Barkley also pointed out in the segment. But the 4x NBA champion stayed firm to his choice. However, the entire crew admitted the extremely contentious nature of the debate. O’Neal said, “It is hard”, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson exclaimed,?“It’s impossible”, and Barkley concluded,?“It’s going to be unfair to one of them, plain and simple.”

Watch the Story – Rockets legend chucks Shaquille O’Neal on a Christmas tree like a piece of paper

What would be your starting lineup for the All-Star game? Let us know in the comments below.?