One of the few big men Shaq is a fan of is Mavs superstar, Dirk Nowitzki. When the 2011 champion was on The Big Podcast, Shaquille O’Neal even admitted that he wanted to team up with Nowitzki. That Dallas Mavericks trade didn’t work out but Shaq remains strong in Dirk’s corner. So much so that he had a bone to pick with Dirk’s former boss. Mark Cuban is not the main shot-caller of the Mavs anymore but he’s been there through two European phenoms leading the team. As the former majority owner, he has some opinions about his stars. But Shaq took exception to that.

Earlier this year, Cuban jumped onto the bandwagon of comparing Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki. He shocked everyone when he put Doncic over Nowitzki, the guy who won the franchise its only title. He doubled down on that opinion recently. For that, Shaq told Mark, “I didn’t like you, Mark.”

Harsh but Shaq won’t stand for Dirk slander. He bluntly told the billionaire, “When you said Luca was better than Dirk, you need to stop it. Don’t ever say that again.” In his defense, Cuban said that Dirk agreed with him.

Yet Cuban used all that Shark Tank experience to negotiate with the Dirk fan in him. “Dirk is the best ever for the Mavs but you still had to get him the ball… and that was the difference. Whereas Luka, you just put the ball in his hands and no one else has to be on the court.”

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say because Shaq repeated on the podcast, “Stop it, Mark.” Cuban kept trying, even boldly reminding him he built the “best statue for any athlete ever” for Dirk. But even that upset Shaq, who has two statues in Crypto.com Arena and LSU. And he told Cuban that Dirk’s statue is the second best.

Even Dirk Nowitzki disagrees with Shaquille O’Neal

Cuban was right that Dirk agreed with him. Back in April, the Shark Tank star said on Draymond Green’s podcast, “Dirk will be the first one to tell you Luka’s better.” Shortly after, Dirk said on NBA Unplugged, “The good thing is here that Mark doesn’t know anything about basketball so he doesn’t know what he’s watching.” After that joke, he saved Cuban’s face. “I’m kidding. Mark’s my guy, honestly I have to say he’s spot on.”

When Nowitzki agreed with Cuban, he praised Doncic’s scoring ability as well as passing. Last month, Cuban again stated on Club Shay Shay, “Dirk is mentally tougher than any human I’ve ever met… Luka, on the other hand, in terms of actual skill & killer instincts. Luka can handle the ball.”

In fact, Nowitzki has very similar opinions to Cuban about Doncic. But not even his fave can change Shaq’s mind. Disagreements over Shark Chuck, Ring Doorbell, Dirk-Luca, and the statue – doesn’t look like Mark can do anything right by Shaquille O’Neal.