Shaquille O’Neal is known for calling a spade a spade. By giving honest opinions on crucial matters pertaining to the NBA, Shaq has earned the reputation of being an analyst-of-sorts worth listening to. In a recent episode of The Big Podcast, the Los Angeles Lakers legend recently gave his unfiltered opinions on topics ranging from Damian Lillard’s career at the Portland Trail Blazers to Trae Young’s ‘coach killer’ reputation.

Shaq also gave some advice to Mac McClung who joined the crew on the podcast. While speaking with McClung, Shaq seemed to reiterate his critique of the Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons, whom he criticized in May last year for making excuses and not showing up for the team. At the time, his remarks had been quite harsh, having claimed how he could not understand how Simmons was able to sit on the bench off-court with his $300,000 Gucci chain on. Shaq has now seemed to have shared a similar opinion about players in the NBA in general with the young prodigy McClung.

Shaquille O’Neal gives his two cents

2023 Slam Dunk winner Mac McClung spoke of his experience at the Contest. Shaq has held McClung in high regard on multiple occasions and reaffirmed his appreciation on the episode. However, while sharing how he was displeased because the young virtuoso has not yet found a place in the NBA, Shaquille said, “I have been following you since high school and there’s a lot of guys in the league that you are way better than… you remind me of a young Jason Williams, you got the swag, you got the handles, you can shoot, you attacked the rim, I do not understand why you are not on the team.”

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The former MVP seems tired of hearing about players like Ben Simmons, who, according to his assertion last year, were making excuses at the cost of their teams’ performance. Shaq has notably despised ‘no show jobs’ and is known for appreciating mettle. Players like Simmons who don’t show up for the team are probably why the Big Man wondered why the NBA is not opening its doors to players like McClung.

Shaquille O’Neal badly wants to see young talent like McClung making it big in the league. Interestingly, the young baller stated that he aims to get rid of every excuse and focus on the prize. That must have been exactly what Shaq wanted to hear given how excuses seldom seem to sit well with him.

Shaq got an eye for talent

While being one of the harshest in his criticism, the former Lakers does not forget to appreciate merit. In the episode with McClung, Shaq stated that he had noticed McClung during the Virginia kid’s high school days. They revealed that he has been texting him ever since, with wise words, surely, and “showing love”, according to McClung. When few people probably even knew McClung, the NBA legend took initiative to acknowledge his talent and support him.

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Shaq’s honest opinions do not always go down well with others and are at several times labelled as disrespectful. However, that has not stopped Shaquille O’Neal from expressing himself, bashing those who make excuses but conveying his respect for the hardworking and sincere.