via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
7 feet can contain a lot of grudges. Shaquille O’Neal is still bitter about that missed opportunity to win his second MVP title. Speaking on the criteria to vote for the NBA MVP award and the current contenders, Shaq dug up a two-decade-old wound he still holds over Phoenix Suns legend, Steve Nash.
During his appearance on a Yahoo Sports interview, Shaq indirectly referred to Nash and said he was someone just, “passing everybody else.” He was a guy he lost to twice in his career which baffled the 2000 MVP. “So I don’t really understand the criteria,” O’Neal admitted.
He didn’t drop a name but the reference was clear. When Big Diesel was leading Miami Heat out of oblivion, Nash beat out O’Neal to win the 2004-05 MVP trophy. It remains contentious to this day as Shaq averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his first season without Kobe Bryant.
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Nash though was able to lead Phoenix to a winning streak while his second option, Amar’e Stoudemire was injured. O’Neal took that loss, trained harder under Pat Riley, got into shape, and won Miami its first NBA championship the following season. He however didn’t win MVP again in his career. The 2006 trophy again went to Nash.
O’Neal, a 3x Finals MVP, remains bitter about it though he acknowledged Nash as an admirable player. He once said Nash won MVP out of “compassion” and even took a jab at Phoenix’s disappointing season saying, “And Miami won the chip. What Phoenix do?”
His double whammy from Nash hit him hard not just in his therapy sessions. It seems to have colored Shaq’s opinions about the MVP title too.
Shaquille O’Neal’s “individual” MVP criteria
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In this interview, Shaq rehashed an argument he had on Inside the NBA last week. He was outnumbered three against one when Chuck, Ernie, and Kenny contended that an MVP has to do with the team’s standing. His co-analysts think the next MVP could come from Minnesota as their rankings continue to improve.
READ MORE: Ex-Cavs Star Shaquille O’Neal Will Return to Cleveland on June 22, but Not as an NBA Legend
The criteria Shaq claims he doesn’t understand is if the team’s standing applies to the individual player. He doesn’t think anyone in Timberwolves can outdo Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic in the MVP race. He threw out words like “singular” and “individual” to describe what an MVP honor is in a shouting match with his co-hosts. He contended an MVP is the “baddest MOFO in the league.”
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Obviously Shaq doesn’t think that applies to Steve Nash, who did well for his team but didn’t win them a championship like O’Neal did for Miami. Do you think Shaq’s criteria applies, whether it’s 2005 or 2024?
READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal: Women Basketball “More Dominating” Than Men in NCAA’s March Madness
