Shaquille O’Neal Downplays Suns’ Epic Comeback Hours After Labelling Kevin Durant A ‘Bad Example’

Tensions are running high in Phoenix. The Suns just pulled off an electrifying comeback, but some still doubt it’s a turning point. With a roster stacked with superstars, expectations are sky-high. Yet questions linger. Is this team truly built to contend, or are deeper cracks starting to show?? Even NBA legends are weighing in, and one of the game’s loudest voices just made a bold claim that might shake things up.

Earlier this year, the Suns were planning to trade him to the Golden State Warriors, though it didn’t take place as Durant wanted to end his career on his own terms. Durant might be experiencing internal conflict with the team, evident when he pushed away head coach Mike Budenholzer’s hand during the game.

The game had its moments. Phoenix started slow but managed to flip the script. Durant, despite the earlier tension, came alive when it mattered. Colin Gillespie, who had taken zero shots in the first three quarters, suddenly dropped ten points in the fourth, sealing the comeback. But Shaq wasn’t too concerned about the argument itself. He cared more about how the Suns performed as a team, and he wasn’t impressed.

Shaq wasn’t convinced. “I still think they’re in trouble. I think this tells you more about the Clippers not being ready,” he said bluntly. He made a solid point: Shouldn’t a team with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal be fighting for a top playoff spot, not scrambling for the play-in? “You give me Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal… I’m talking a 2-seed, maybe the 3-seed,” he added. Instead, they battle for ninth, tenth, or even eleventh place.

Shaq also stressed Durant’s role in setting the tone early. “The game looks different because of him being aggressive,” he pointed out. Moreover, he was also disappointed by Gillespie’s performance. In his words, “All 10 of those points in that fourth quarter, that massive comeback complete. Something like that, can it spark you for a longer period than just tonight?” The Suns got the win, but Shaq isn’t convinced they’ve fixed their problems. Was this a step forward or just another band-aid? Only time will tell.

Kevin Durant’s heated exchange with Coach Budenholzer

The Suns should have been celebrating. They had just pulled off a wild 119-117 comeback against the Clippers, rallying from 23 down. Instead, the talk wasn’t about their resilience. It was about a courtside clash between Kevin Durant and head coach Mike Budenholzer. Caught on camera, their heated exchange spread fast. Was KD frustrated with his coach? Losing faith in Budenholzer? The internet wasted no time stirring the pot.

Durant shut it down quickly. “That’s what usually happens when you don’t know the dynamics of a relationship,” he said. To him, they were just locked in the moment together. “Sometimes my way ain’t what Bud wants, sometimes his way ain’t what I want. But he allows me, as a veteran, to voice my opinion.”

Budenholzer wasn’t bothered either. “You know, he and I were like old friends or whatever. We’re always grabbing and talking to each other.” He even credited Durant for helping close out the game.

Still, some weren’t buying it. The Suns had lost 11 of their last 15. Was this a sign of deeper issues? Maybe even trade rumors? Shaquille O’Neal had a different perspective. “I don’t want to be a hypocrite because I was that guy. I was tough to coach,” Shaq admitted. “But when you’re the leader of the team, it sets a bad example.”

His message? The Suns didn’t need more drama. “Right now, the team is not doing well. And when you’re the best player, people are going to look at you. I don’t think Kevin should have done that.”

The Suns may have pulled off a thrilling comeback, but Shaq’s skepticism highlights a bigger issue. This team isn’t playing like a contender. A roster with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal should be competing for a top seed, not battling for a play-in spot. And when frustration starts spilling onto the court, as seen in Durant’s exchange with Budenholzer, questions about leadership and chemistry only grow louder.

Phoenix still has time to right the ship, but with the playoffs looming, the margin for error is razor-thin. If the Suns want to silence the doubters, they need more than flashes of brilliance. They need consistency, urgency, and a clear sense of direction