In ‘The Big Bigen Conspiracy’ episode, NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal made a rather peculiar remark regarding Cleveland Cavaliers player Donovan Mitchell. Shaq’s co-host Nischelle Turner talked about Mitchell wearing the jersey of his new team in a photo that was shot during their Media Day on September 26, 2022. In response, Shaquille referred to the Cavaliers player as ‘sensitive a** player’.
The Diesel made these comments about Mitchell on his podcast episode that was released on October 1, 2022. However, this was not the first time Shaq has made critical comments on Mitchell.
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Last year, Shaquille O’Neal garnered the attention of media and NBA fans, and all for the wrong reasons. On January 22, 2021, Mitchell, who was still playing for the Utah Jazz, led his team to an impressive win over the New Orleans Pelicans by 129-118. Mitchell scored 36 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. However, during halftime, former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley questioned Mitchell’s skills and accused him of not giving his best in the game.
“I said tonight that you are one of my favorite players, but you don?t have what it takes to get to the next level. I said it on purpose, I wanted you to hear it. What do you have to say about that?” Shaq asked Mitchell during the walk-off interview.
In response, Mitchell only said that he has been hearing the same since he was a rookie. He added that he will just work on getting better at what he does.
Shaquille O’Neal diss Donovan Mitchell yet again
As much as NBA fans would like that to be the end, unfortunately, it wasn’t. About seven months after the awkward interview, Shaquille O’Neal made some comments about Donovan Mitchell yet again. Shaq said that he had previously played with great players such as Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway, and Dwyane Wade. He stated that if a player is not on their level that he is not a great player.
Fast forward to October 2022, the Big Aristotle struck again. After Turner bought up Mitchell in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ uniform, Shaq said that he would be starting a new category called SAPs. He explained that it meant ‘Sensitive A** Players’.
“If you look at who I’ve been around and who I’ve played with and who I’ve helped mentor I can help you get to that next level. You forgot I played with Penny, you forgot I played with Kobe, you forgot I played with D Wade? Ask them about me,” said O’Neal.Furthermore, Shaq said that he had been a
‘pain in the a**’ for all three players. And eventually, they ended up being in the Hall of Fame because of his motivational tactics.WATCH THIS STORY: Did Michael Jordan Play in 1994? Was Shaquille ONeal The Last Player to Beat MJ in The NBA Playoffs?ADVERTISEMENT
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Do you think the NBA legends became Hall of Famers because of Shaq? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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