Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest blunt statement about the Detroit Pistons is no exception. It was a comment that cut deep for Pistons fans, and one that drew a response from Greg Kelser, a former Pistons player and long-time analyst, who wasn’t about to let Shaq’s words slide without some fire his way.

For Detroit, Shaq’s comments weren’t just a one-off jab; they reflected a broader reality of their current situation. Once a powerhouse franchise that boasted championships and a reputation for tough, gritty basketball, handing Shaq a defeat in the finals, the Pistons have found themselves on the fringes of relevance in recent years, almost justifying Shaq’s comments.

In a post shared by @Pistons__Talk on X, Greg Kelser said, “We can’t even give Shaq any consideration for his comments. You’re supposed to watch all the teams in his seat, and for him to say he doesn’t watch the Pistons, they’re one of the biggest stories in the NBA this year.” Giving him a reality check that Shaquille O’Neal, being an analyst, should conduct himself at a higher standard.

This isn’t the first time major analysts have overlooked Detroit, and it likely won’t be the last unless they turn things around. It raises the question, at what point do the Pistons become must-watch basketball again? Until that happens, the franchise remains in a cycle of development with no guarantees of when the payoff will come.

Shaq’s Dismissal and the Pistons’ Rough Season by the Numbers

The Pistons‘ poor play this season doesn’t surprise Shaq. They are now in the bottom half of the Eastern division with 39 wins and 32 defeats. Without a doubt, their team is good, but they find it difficult to stay up. When compared to the rest of the league, their average score of 115.1 points per game is rather low. On the other hand, they are giving their opponents more average points per game. They seem to be using a bucket full of holes in an attempt to capture water. Not to mention, they give up the ball around 16 times per game and are nearly at the bottom of the league in terms of three-point shooting.

For a team that’s rebuilding, they are finding hard to swallow the bitter truth—they’re not getting much national attention. But are there high spots? Yes. Cade Cunningham is making, on average, 25.7 points and 9.2 assists per outing. And then, Jaden Ivey is knocking in about 17.6 points every time he plays. But sadly, these aren’t enough. Some people still think the Pistons aren’t interesting to watch. And these views actually encouraged Shaq to state that Detroit is having a tough time standing out in a league that’s full of thrilling plays and closely matched games.

Greg Kelser, who has seen the franchise’s highs and lows, acknowledged the team’s difficulties but denied that they are wholly unimportant. He reminded supporters, and detractors like Shaq, that progress takes time by pointing to the young players and the need for patience in a high-quality rebuild. However, the Pistons will continue to struggle to attract the attention and respect of both casual fans and commentators until they start winning and making ripples in the standings.