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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Shaquille O’Neal attends the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Shaquille O’Neal attends the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
The NBA in the ‘8os and the ’90s was famous for its physical rigor. The Detroit Pistons also known as the Bad Boys, were particularly infamous for putting a physical beating on their opponents. Of course, a lot has changed since then. The league has evolved in a totally different direction. The ability to dominate paint that was once highly valuable is now second to shooting from the range. Shaquille O’Neal seems to agree with this sentiment as he expressed his disappointment with a former defensive player of the year.
Many believe that Stephen Curry has changed the game for good. The Chef made the three-point shot the main staple in the NBA. Recently, an internet basketball analyst expressed shock at how the bigs today are not utilizing their physical ability to dominate.
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A podcast host is unhappy with the big men in the NBA
There have been certain basketball personalities in league history who could easily dominate the paint. Some of them include Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt The Stilt Chamberlain, and The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett, who could have dunked on anyone in their prime. Recently, Chris Walker posted a clip on the internet where he elaborated on why the NBA is soft now.

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & Icy Hot unveil the latest “Comebaq Court,” refurbished athletic spaces helping underserved communities get back in the game, in collaboration with Alonzo Mourning at Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Flori on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
Walker said, “Do you want to know why this era is soft? Because all of the big men are behind the arc trying to learn how to shoot the three ball just to maintain relevancy.”
He made it clear that the NBA is losing its physicality because centers like Rudy Gobert are unwilling to show their physical prowess in the paint. The post has over 3,000 likes already.
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Big Diesel, who used to break backboards for fun, shared the same sentiment. Shaq shared the clip on his own social media handle. He has also previously spoken about the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
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Shaquille O’Neal on him versus Gobert
Shaquille O’Neal has every right in the world to believe he would absolutely dismantle anyone in a one-on-one matchup.
The four-time NBA Champion was a force to be reckoned with in his prime. On getting asked what would happen if he would face Rudy Gobert he replied, “I would lock his a– up.”
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The NBA Hall of Famer is certain of the fact that the Frenchman is no match for him. It’ll be interesting to see how a 1v1 matchup goes between O’Neal and Gobert.
WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille O’Neal blames Stephen Curry for tardiness.
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