Shaquille O’Neal is no stranger to controversy. The Hall of Famer has built a reputation for speaking his mind and has been quick to challenge anyone, from fellow players to critics. Recently, his ongoing feud with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has underscored his competitive spirit, as Shaq hasn’t hesitated to criticize Gobert’s style of play and his lucrative contract. However, a recent jab in an Adidas commercial featuring young star Anthony Edwards seems to be making Shaq reconsider his usual aggressive approach.

In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, co-host Adam Lefkoe brought up the commercial. “Now these Anthony Edwards commercials have taken a lot of shots, there was one that took shots at the Celtics… this is the first time out of nowhere they took seemingly a shot at you big fella,” said Lefkoe during the podcast.

He then proceeded to ask the seven-footer what his response to the sudden shot and the answer from O’Neal was something that most of the fans didn’t expect. “It’s all about having fun. I’m not gonna go to ten and beat the man up. Like he says something and I’ll say something back and we’ll have some fun with it,” said Shaq during the podcast.

The Adidas ad in question has sparked discussion, not for any controversial play but for a tongue-in-cheek dig at Shaq’s legacy. In the commercial, a group of kids are seated around a campfire. One of the kids claims that Edwards has broken more rims than Shaq, which is clearly an exaggeration, but it’s meant to pump up Edwards’ status. The real kicker, though, comes when another child innocently asks, “Who’s Shaq?” The ad seems to playfully suggest that Shaq’s reign as the most dominant big man might be a thing of the past.

Shaq’s

decision to take a lighter approach to Edwards’ commercial marks a shift from his recent interactions with other NBA players, particularly in his ongoing feud with Rudy Gobert. While he may be brushing off Edwards’ playful jab, Shaq’s response to Gobert has been anything but subtle.

The feud with Gobert originally started when in an interview with ‘

Complex‘ with his son Lyle, the former Los Angeles Lakers icon, even though he was off by a few numbers, openly called out Gobert regarding the money that he was making.

“

I’m going to tell you why. Because if you sign a contract for 250, show me 250. There’s a reason why I walk funny, why I can’t turn my neck, and why I can’t do it because I played for my 120,” said Shaq during the interview.

However, the Frenchman didn’t back off and publicly called out the seven-footer by making an X post. “

It is sad to see someone that has accomplished as much as you did @SHAQ both in sport and business still be triggered by another man’s finances and accomplishments. I get the entertainment part but unlike other folks, you don’t need that stuff to stay relevant,” wrote Gobert.

This public call-out caught the eye of O’Neal and he again snubbed the 3x DPOY winner in another podcast by calling him “

Sensitive.“

In the end, Shaq’s legacy doesn’t rest on whether the next generation knows his name. It’s in the countless dunks, championships, and unforgettable moments he left on the court. And by not going to war over every perceived slight, Shaq might be preserving a part of that legacy in a new, more graceful way. However,

apart from Gobert, it seems like the seven-footer had got himself into another feud.

Shaquille O’Neal’s recent feud with another NBA player

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been sidelined due to an injury which the team has termed as left knee management. Last season, he played in just 39 games due to knee injuries but returned in time for the playoffs and for a short stint with Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics this summer. However, while his absence has left a void in his team’s lineup, it hasn’t stopped the NBA world from weighing in on his toughness.

“

If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” said Embiid ahead of the season opener last week. This comment was not well-received by O’Neal and passed a bold criticism during an episode of ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’.

“

I actually want him to take it personal. Like you can’t come out before the season and say and I’m not playing back to back… Say it again spell it S-O-F-Capital T,” said Shaq.

However, former NBA player Chandler Parsons was in support of Embiid and had mentioned how hardworking the center is. “

I hate it so much because they don’t see the 10 hours of rehab that he was just doing before that, so I disagree with this,” said Parsons during a segment of Run it Back TV.

The NBA community is, however, divided on this issue, with opinions varying widely. While some support Embiid’s decision to prioritize his health, others share Shaq’s concerns about his commitment to winning a championship.