Never one to hold back when letting his opinion known, Shaquille O’Neal recently shared his thoughts on the current state of the NBA and why it’s changed since he was a player.
One of the topics he touched on was LeBron James and his seemingly never ending fountain of youth. The 40-year-old continues to be a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers and is showing no signs of slowing down, though Shaq says he knows why that is the case.
“Definitely,” Shaq said when asked if James’ longevity is due to the league being less physical. “Less physical. Right now, if you get a flagrant foul, you get fined (and) suspended. Guys aren’t even f***ing fouling hard no more.
“Back before I played it was crazy, but when I played it was crazy… People get mad. It’s just a product of what I see.”
Shaq didn’t stop there
Shaq’s criticisms continued from there, as he took aim at the league as a while. He believes the current generation lacks greatness, and its reflected on the court.
“I’ve seen what greatness is. Been there. Played with them,” he said. “I don’t see that all the time over here. You want me to give these m**********s the same props you’re giving them? That s**t will never happen. You can call it hate if you want.”
Given Shaq was a real force when he played, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a star in the NBA.
Even though the word “soft” is thrown around by many and viewed as hating on the current generation, Shaq doesn’t care about how his words are interpreted.
“You ain’t f***ing great and I’m great. How can I hate on you? That don’t make no f***ing sense,” he said. “Ben f***ing Simmons, that m*********r needs to be arrested. $250 million for that s**t? … Robbing people, man.”
Read the full article here
