Shaquille O’Neal recently weighed in on the ongoing discussion surrounding Luka Doncic’s conditioning, particularly after reports surfaced that the Dallas Mavericks had concerns about committing a $345 million super-max extension to their former franchise star. Many critics have pointed to Doncic’s fitness levels as a long-term issue, but Shaq, one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, took a different stance.
On TNT’s Inside the NBA, he shared his perspective, revealing that he himself never worked out during the summer throughout his legendary career.
Adam Lefkoe: “We heard people there saying about conditioning and all of that. You have faced that criticism as well. How much of that became a chip on your shoulder when you went to the new city? What kind of chip does Luka have now?”
Shaquille O’Neal: “It wasn’t really a chip on my shoulder because I didn’t work out during the summer because I had other obligations, family, children, and I wanted to work my way into shape.”
“That was my method. It worked for me. There was a lot of so-called methods of how to get it done. You come in shape and become a first ballot, Hall of Fame, you win three championships in a row. That’s your way. My way, I did it my way and I’m happy with the way I did it.”
Adam Lefkoe: “What do you think of Luka’s way?”
Shaquille O’Neal: “He doesn’t look out of shape to me. I need to know what the term out of shape is. Is he fat? Does he have a six-pack? Are we talking body fat?”
Adam Lekfoe: “A lot of stories say he ballooned up to 270.”
Shaquille O’Neal: “Because one of my best friends just told me fat Luka is better than 99.9% of all the guards in the game. So, you know, in shape Luka, five years, first team All-NBA. Fat Luka or this out-of-shape Luka, first-team All-NBA, five years.”
“So you know if that’s the case, they let him go. Obviously, I would definitely have to blame management, because there are better ways to handle that.”
O’Neal’s approach to fitness has been widely debated over the years. While it’s true that he didn’t always enter the season in prime condition, it’s impossible to argue with his results. A four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, and one of the most dominant forces the league has ever seen, Shaq defied conventional wisdom about what an athlete needed to do in order to be successful.
While some fans and analysts might view his comments as justification for Doncic’s conditioning struggles, there is an important distinction. Shaq played in an era where size and brute strength were often more valuable than endurance.
The game was slower, and teams built offenses around feeding dominant big men in the post. In contrast, today’s NBA is faster, more perimeter-oriented, and demands better conditioning from its stars, especially a playmaking guard like Doncic.
That said, Doncic has found his own way to thrive, much like Shaq did in his time. At 6’6” and close to 270 pounds, he has been able to impose his will on opponents with elite footwork, strength, and skill. He’s made five consecutive All-NBA First Teams, won a scoring title, and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals—all while being scrutinized for his fitness.
Shaq’s defense of Doncic highlights an interesting debate in the NBA: Is peak physical conditioning an absolute requirement for superstardom? For Shaq, the answer was no.
His dominance stemmed from his size, skill, and natural talent. Doncic, while a different type of player, has also shown that elite-level play is possible even if an athlete isn’t in textbook shape.
In retirement, Shaq has maintained his philosophy, stating that he has no desire to slim down and instead wants to “get Diesel,” a reference to his longtime nickname. He has always embraced his size, using it as a weapon rather than a limitation. Perhaps Doncic is following the same path—choosing to let his skill and IQ dictate his success rather than a perfect physique.
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