The NBA season has started its journey into the playoffs. While fans are anxious to see how their favorite teams will fare in the postseason, some have a different query in their mind. With the end of the regular season, many are trying to predict the MVP-award winner for this year. Shaquille O’Neal and his crew at Inside the NBA have been having several discussions about the 2022-23 MVP. The Big Aristotle recently decided to take the conversation on a new direction, sparking a frenzy among fans.
Over the years, there have been many polarizing debates on potential Most Valuable Players, snubbed superstars and so on. However, Shaq has ignited a new debate among fans, bringing Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley into the conversation.
Shaquille O’Neal disregards Michael Jordan and Co in a new debate
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Shaq has had numerous debates with his friend and colleague Charles Barkley on the prime show about their respective MVP picks, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo being one of the leaguers in the few Shaq named. However, whenever the Big Man has found the arguments heading towards an unfavorable outcome, he has hilariously resorted to taking shots at Barkley, joking about the Barkley’s lack of rings.
It seems the Big Man hasn’t ceased taking jabs at his seniors, recently venturing to compare his own era with the ’90s. The four-time NBA Champion posted a picture on his social media, unapologetically repping the MVP winners of the 2000s over those of the ’90s.
4 – 2 in favor of my team, yup I said it!
Who you got? pic.twitter.com/l21tTnpXJK— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 12, 2023
“4-2 in favor of my team, yup I said it! Who you got?” wrote Shaq in his tweet.
The ’90s MVP team consisted of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon. On the other hand, the first-decade MVP team of the 21st century was made up by Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan – and Shaquille O’Neal.
Such a series between the two would surely attract millions of viewers cheering for either side. However, many felt that Shaq’s prediction was a little far-fetched. Although there are many who might agree with Shaq’s predicted winners, it’d be difficult to digest that the ’90s legends wouldn’t make it to the last of the 7-game series. Hence, the Big Man’s bold prognosis sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy.
Fans react to Shaq’s Bold MVP matchup claim
Over the years there have been many NBA superstars in the 21st century who have disregarded the capacity of the ’90s legends in modern basketball. Although it would always be a hypothetical situation without any means of proof, many strongly stand firm on their stance while throwing some shade at the ’90s players.
Despite Shaq having been a beast in both centuries, he picked his 21st-century colleagues as winners against the best ’90s MVP team. It was a decision that left the NBA fandom divided, as they expressed themselves with a flurry of reactions on the post.
https://twitter.com/badplatano/status/1646317755950329857?s=20
7 game series, y’all will win, but you only average 12.4 ppg…
— Ben Edwards Jr. (@bennyeddd) April 13, 2023
lol so best case scenario, iverson's man has 5 inches on him (and most likely 9)?
sub out iverson, put lebron at the 1, insert dirk ('07 mvp) and put him in at the 3
— The Old Narrator (@TheOldNarrator) April 12, 2023
Many reminded Shaq of how Hakeem Olajuwon and Co swept Shaq’s team in the 90s. Others even pointed out how even if the 2000s squad might win Shaq would hardly get passes from the icons on the team.
https://twitter.com/GeorgieDols24/status/1646218785811054594?s=20
Great question Shaq, thank you. Respectfully, Michael, and Magic are historically my top two of all-time (LeBron up there). People forget Magic… Your frontline is powerful. Excuse me, please, 90's over you guys, and check out my work. 🙂
— Jon Myers (@therealjonmyers) April 12, 2023
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Well, the Rockets swept you, so I take Hakeem in his prime.. Magic would dominate AI.. and Jordan is Jordan.. so 4-0 for the top team.
— Mycollectables (@My_Collectables) April 13, 2023
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Who’s your pick among the two legendary decades? Let us know in the comments below.
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