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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Shaquille O’Neal Says Modern Centers Are “Soft”

Shaquille O’Neal Says Modern Centers Are “Soft”

Nico Martinez
Mar 24, 2020
3 Min Read
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Shaq is cleary not a fan of today’s NBA.

As one of the most dominant big man in league history, Shaquille O’Neal abused his opponents under the rim, using his size and strength to score at will. In 20 pro-seasons, Shaq earned 15 All-Star appearances, 14 All-NBA selections, and 4 NBA Championships as he averaged 23 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2,5 assists on 58% shooting.

As for bigs today — they are, according to Shaq, just flat-out soft.

“It depends on what type of big man you’re talking about,” Shaquille O’Neal told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy. “See the title ‘big man’ is anyone at the five position, right? So you know, I hear people say oh big guys can shoot. The game is evolving…us older big guys don’t look at it as evolving. We look at it as soft.

“Because guys don’t want to get down there and bang. Which is okay. You know, new era new generation, I can’t tell them how to play, I can’t tell them what to do. I can give them hints every now and then on how to make the game easier. Look, I was the first big guy to take it coast to coast and do all that, but the game was easier to take the high percentage shots. Imagine me trying to do that in the Finals. Bringing the ball up. We wouldn’t win.

“So you know, when you’re a big guy, you have to use your abilities to get highest percentage shot for you to win. The team that shoots the highest percentage from the free throw line, or field goal percentage from the 3, is that team that always wins. Analytics or not. That’s the facts.”

The modern big man is more of a stretch-five than anything. Guys like Al Horford, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Anthony Davis and others seem more inclined to shoot from distance than work down-low.

In an age where 3-point shooting is everything, it’s not exactly a bad thing.

But for Shaq, and many other legendary big men like him, it always be taboo.

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ByNico Martinez
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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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