Shaquille O’Neal has become a vocal supporter and mentor for Angel Reese, even though they share no blood relation.
That didn’t stop Reese from calling him “uncle” when O’Neal came to her defense during LSU’s 2023 national title run. Back then, Reese faced a firestorm of backlash for taunting Clark during the championship game, most notably from Barstool Sports’s Dave Portnoy and ESPN’s Keith Olbermann.
Shaq‘s response was swift and fierce. As Reese put it at the time, “Yeah, my uncle Shaq don’t play ’bout me. Period.”
Now, O’Neal is once again lending his support, this time in the face of growing WNBA criticism.
Shaq draws comparisons to himself and Allen Iverson while defending Angel Reese
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated host Claudette Montana, O’Neal was asked directly about Reese and the criticism she’s faced so early in her WNBA career. Without hesitation, he responded with admiration and encouragement.
“I tell her all the time don’t ever worry about that and she reminds me of myself or AI she’s as good,” O’Neal said.
He didn’t stop there. The Lakers legend used the opportunity to take aim at Reese’s critics, suggesting many fans and pundits are missing the bigger picture when it comes to her talent and potential.
“Even better than some of the people that y’all are kissing up to. But y’all don’t know it, but she knows it. And in order to be great, you have to know you’re great. She just needs to continue to… play her game, better her game, and don’t worry about the nonsense. I tell her all the time: ‘Don’t be looking at those comments,'” O’Neal added.
The comments come at a crucial time for Reese, who has found herself at the center of multiple controversies since the WNBA season tipped off. Much of the criticism has stemmed from her offensive inefficiencies. Fans have latched onto her tendency to miss initial shots only to grab her own rebounds, labeling them mockingly as “me-bounds.”
Her finishing around the rim has also been underwhelming according to some observers, who’ve questioned her ability to score efficiently against elite defenders.
Things only intensified when Reese got into a heated moment during a recent game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Reese reacted strongly to a flagrant foul called during the contest, which drew both support and criticism depending on the viewer’s perspective. While some celebrated her competitive fire, others called it immature or overblown.
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