Shaquille O’Neal might want to chew on this for a bit. After all, it was quite a bold claim by his best buddy. Rap giant Fat Joe named a player who is one of the best offensive men he has ever seen. And it’s not the older version of Shaq. The 5x NBA champion got snubbed from the list and that too by his friend. Shaq might understand that but the other new name that Fat Joe regarded could still cause chaos.

After all, it’s none other than Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns. It’s been a year full of back-and-forth between the analyst and the player. So, it’s unlikely that people have forgotten the rift between the two. But, for the uninformed, here is a brief of all the times when the Lakers legend wasn’t hesitant to take a fiery shot at the basketball star.

Shaquille O’Neal criticized Karl Anthony Towns after a loss against Celtics 

Both Charles Barkley and O’Neal were upset over KAT’s performance on opening night against the Celtics in the 2024-25 season. The Knicks star chose to take a fadeaway shot, even though he was being guarded by the much smaller Jrue Holiday. Interestingly, even though Towns scored with a jump hook over Holiday, the Lakers legend wasn’t happy. He said, “Even though he made the shot, I don’t like it.”

Ultimately, the Boston Celtics dominated with their three-point shooting, lighting up the court and clinching a win. This isn’t the first time the basketball legend has criticized KAT for his shooting skills. All the way back in May 2024, O’Neal made a harsh comment about his performance.

After the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 116-107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, O’Neal didn’t waste time. Highlighting the 4× NBA All-Star’s poor shooting skills, the basketball legend was quick to call out KAT to step up and play his role for the team. While Anthony Edwards was trying his best to support the Timberwolves, the former Knicks star shot 6-20 in Game 1. 

“KAT has not played well. He’s not stepped up and helped Ant Edwards out. I’ve played with guys that dominated the ball, and you just adjust to their decision-making cuz you know what they’re trying to do, and you know they’re trying to help me get to the next level. But as the other part of the superstar tandem, you have to do your job, and Karl Anthony-Towns has not stepped up,” O’Neal said.

While Towns was asked about it, the Knicks player had an interesting response. Baffled by his own performance in the Western Conference Finals, the basketball star admitted that he practiced hard. 

Shaquille O’Neal called out Karl Anthony Towns for his comments

KAT further claimed that he made 1,500 shots every day during his practice. This was indeed exceptional preparation for the playoffs. However, neither Shaquille O’Neal nor other members of the Inside the NBA believed this outrageous claim. The Los Angeles Lakers legend was further frustrated by the New York Knicks star’s seeming nonchalance. 

“The fact that he’s not upset concerns me. I’m probably the biggest-named superstar that’s been swept five times. The fact that he’s not upset that he played terrible shows me that he’s not ready yet. I played with guys like Kobe, who missed the last shot; you better say nothing to him on the plane,” O’Neal shared.

How did Towns react to it? Speaking on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, the 2x NBA All-Star claimed that he is fine with these comments and prefers to focus on his work. But he added that one member of the team who was upset about the remark was Anthony Edwards. That suggests why the team once refused an interview.

Now, O’Neal might not brush off his longtime friend Fat Joe’s comment so easily, would he?

Fat Joe’s bold claim about the NBA legend

Fat Joe’s comments on KAT were rather recent. They came right around the time of the NBA Cup quarterfinals. “I don’t think I’ve seen a better offensive big man in my life than KAT,” Fat Joe said during his appearance at 7PM in Brooklyn. The rapper praised the Knicks star, calling him one of the best. While he agreed that his friend Shaq and NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon are exceptional, he believes KAT is different and unpredictable compared to the rest.

“I’ve sat in the game and watch KAT do ten moves. You cannot know what he’s gonna give you. Hit em’ with the left. Hit em’ with the right. Spin on you this way, that way, that way. That’s impossible to guard…best offensively ever. I’m talking about [Hakeem] Olajuwon, Shaq is the most dominant big man but he ain’t doing this…my take is he’s [KAT] too hard to guard,” he continued.

Well, the Knicks star has had an impressive start this season so far. Considering this, do you think O’Neal will let Fat Joe’s comment pass?