By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Considered by some to be one of the five best players in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal, however, sees other observers being much harsher towards him. A US journalist doesn’t even include him… in the Top 4 all-time pivots.
4 championship rings, 3 Finals MVP trophies, 15 All-Star Game selections, a coronation as MVP: this is what the career of Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA. Enough to make him one of the most famous of all time, not to mention the unparalleled physical domination he displayed on the court. And yet, that doesn’t stop him from being the subject of incredible snubs.
The crazy historic hot take on Shaquille O’Neal
A big fan of all-time debates of all kinds, Shaq takes pleasure in giving his opinion in each of them. And there is no question of him trying to please as many people as possible when he does so. Thus, he is particularly complimentary towards Stephen Curry, whom he openly considers better than him. An outing which led to the viral and much-maligned reaction of Chris Russo on the set of First Take :
Chris Russo : Already, we have to listen to someone like Shaq talk about these kinds of debates now? Who is Shaq? This is only the 5th biggest pivot in history.
An assertion which, in itself, was enough for his colleagues at ESPN, Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams, to rebel. Asked to justify it, “Mad Dog” clearly did not help his case afterwards:
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Chris Russo : Do you want me to name the pivots who are better than him? Alright. Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), Wilt…
Here again, the journalist was immediately interrupted by his colleagues, according to whom Wilt Chamberlain in no way has his place ahead of O’Neal in an all-time ranking of big men.
According to them, the weak and small competition that The Stilt faced necessarily discredits his exploits compared to those of Shaq. But once again, Russo had the opportunity to make up for it by continuing his list… which was still not the case:
Chris Russo : Tim Duncan is better.
Stephen A. Smith : It’s not a pivot. Tim Duncan is a strong winger.
Chris Russo : Olajuwon is better.
Stephen A. Smith : A double champion better than Shaq and his 4 titles? Who has never been a better scorer than Shaq, twice? What are you talking about ?
Chris Russo : I’ll tell you another player who is better. Shaq isn’t even better than Moses Malone, and you can yell all you want.
Stephen A. Smith : WHAT ?! Oh my God…
Jay Williams : Lord, help us.
Obviously not a big fan of Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Russo will however have to strengthen his arguments to legitimize his point of view concerning him. Or at least rework its list of the best pivots in NBA history, which is quite shaky as it stands.
2023-12-25 20:15:00
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