Shaquille O’Neal isn’t here to babysit feelings — especially not when it comes to today’s NBA.
On a recent episode of The Big Podcast with guest Roy Wood Jr., the Hall of Fame big man aired out his frustrations about the current state of the league. For Shaq, the game has become too soft, too sanitized, and too comfortable — and it’s affecting everything from competition to credibility.
“Less physical. Less competitive. Just… less.”
The conversation kicked off with a question about LeBron James’ longevity and whether the NBA’s evolution has contributed to longer careers.
“Definitely,” Shaq responded. “Less physical. Right now, you get a flagrant foul, you get fined and suspended. Guys ain’t even fouling hard no more. Even when I played it was crazy, but back in the 80s and 90s? Way more physical than now.”
Shaq pointed to a softer brand of basketball — one where physical contact is rare, and players are more protected by the rulebook than ever before. In his eyes, that’s not an upgrade.
He didn’t stop there. Breaking down what he sees as lacking in skill, he added, “Pick and roll, one on one—motherf***er can’t play, dawg.” However, Shaq did name a few current stars he respects: “[Nikola Jokic] can play. Giannis [Antetokounmpo] can play. Dame [Lillard], a couple of these guys can play.”
Then came one of his harshest statements yet: “Ben fing Simmons, that motherfer needs to be arrested.” His comments are already sending shockwaves through the basketball world.
“The product is sh*t.”
As someone who dominated during one of the league’s most competitive eras, Shaq isn’t impressed by what he’s seeing today.
“People say Charles [Barkley] and I are ruining the game talking about the product. Cuz the product is sh*t,” he said. “Show me greatness. And I’ma always stay on them and motivate them to be great.”
It’s not just an old head yelling at clouds — it’s a legend demanding better. Shaq emphasized that his criticisms come from love for the game, not bitterness or jealousy.
“You ain’t f**king great, and I’m great — how can I hate on you?”
“People throw the word ‘hate’ around,” Shaq said. “You ain’t f**king great, and I’m great — how can I hate on you? That don’t make no sense. I’m in the building, you’re not in the building.”
To be clear, it’s not all doom and gloom. Shaq did give credit to a few stars he believes would hold up in any era — naming Jokic, Giannis, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum among the current crop of real hoopers. But for the rest?
“They can call it hate all they want. A lot of these motherf**kers can’t play. And they know it. In any era. Pick and roll. One-on-one. Whatever.”
