?I?m Really Upset?: Shaquille O?Neal Left Disappointed After First Half of Superstar Rookie Showdown

Today, most of the best players in the league are oversized, except Stephen Curry. Further, the rookies generating the most hype, too, are also giants. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Due to an injury forcing him to miss the entirety of his rookie season, Chet enters the season as a rookie, too. As a result, the two were set to clash in a highly-anticipated matchup. However, Shaquille O’Neal was hardly impressed with their first encounter.

While the NBA, traditionally, has been a big man sport, the 3-point shot brought reasonable change to that trend. However, with modern-day hybrid bigs, that conversation looks to be over quickly. But with Chet and Wemby stepping to the fore, Big Diesel would go so far as to say that he was ‘upset’ with their matchup.

The first taste of the Twin Towers showdown leaves Shaquille O’Neal disappointed

Due to their gigantic frames, and eerily similar skill sets, a matchup between the 7-foot-plus individuals was going to generate hype. Further, with both serving as the ideal archetype for a modern big, there were additional expectations.

But, the initial returns during their matchup weren’t explosive. At halftime of their first-ever matchup, the two are off to pedestrian starts. And, Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is letting them hear it.

“I’m really upset. I’d like to see the guys matchup a little bit more. But, I forget, this is the era where everybody switch…Our promo was those two going at it…I’m a little disappointed that the two didn’t match up against each other,” said the 2000 NBA MVP.

The two weren’t dominating the statistical columns either. While Chet had 5 points, Wemby wasn’t faring much better at 8. Instead of the battle between the Twin Towers, which could potentially take up the World stage, it was a dominant showcase of the up-and-coming OKC Thunder.

Watch This Story: Bam Adebayo Humbles Expectations On Victor Wembanyama After Crushing Spurs Rookie With 19-Point Comeback

Even though their somewhat unique, Boston Celtics-esque model should pay dividends eventually, their arrival might be ahead of schedule. It was their young core, collectively, that ran away with the game.

Chet-Wemby or the SGA showcase?

While the headlines were about the 7-plus footers going head-to-head, the best player on the floor was Shai Gilgeous Alexander without a doubt.

Of course, his standing wasn’t without merit. Even though the Spurs held a three-point lead with little time before the half, the Thunder began their run. Finishing the half 13-0 to gain a 10-point lead, OKC would never look back.

Read More: Victor Wembanyama vs Chet Holmgren: Stats Comparison of NBA Rookies Until the Duo?s First Faceoff

Instead, the match became a thorough rout as the team was able to dismantle San Antonio 123-87. Shai was the star of the show with 28-6-5 in just 28 minutes.

But, Shaq might have to leave the game with even more disappointment. After a mediocre first half, the two giants were even more disappointing in the second half. C

het finished the night with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Wembanyama tallied 8 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.