In a chat on the ‘BIG Podcast,’ Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal went off on the current state of the game and modern players who he says have gone “soft.” According to Shaq, the weak play style of today’s NBA is what allows LeBron James to still dominate at 40 years old.
“Definitely,” said O’Neal, on whether LeBron’s longevity is a product of the change in the physicality of the game. “Less physical. Right now, you get a flagrant foul, you get fined and suspended, like guys ain’t even fouling hard anymore. Before I played, it was crazy. But even when I played, it was crazy. Even before, like in the 80s, going into the 90s, it was probably more physical, but people get mad. It’s just a product of what I see. I’ve seen what greatness is, I’ve been there — played with them. I don’t see that all the time over there.”
As a 4x champion, 15x All-Star, and former MVP, Shaq knows more than most players about succeeding at the highest level of play. He dominated the league for over a decade, but he’s had to sit back and watch as the NBA’s culture and identity have warped into something almost unrecognisable.
“You want me to give these motherf**kers the same props you giving them? That sh*t will never happen. You can call it hate if you want, but even with the word hate, these f**king kids like to throw that word around. If you ain’t f*king great and I’m great, how am I hating on you? I’m in the building, you’re not in the building, so how am I hating on you?”
It’s not just the physicality that has changed. The very mindset of the players has shifted to the point where they are more focused on protecting their image than taking care of business on the court. The perfect example is Ben Simmons, who keeps finding reasons not to play despite earning over $203.36 million for his career.
“People say Charles and I, we are ruining the game talking about the product, because the product is sh*t. Show me greatness. Y’all pay a lot of money for these shoes and stuff, but I just wanna see motherf**kers be great. I’m always going to stay on them and motivate them to be great. They can call it hate all they want but I ain;t sucking these motherf**kers off just because they are making $400 million. A lot of these motherf**kers can’t play and they know it. The Joker [Nikola Jokic] can play, Giannis can play, Dame — a couple of these guys can play. But Ben Simmons, that motherf**ker needs to be arrested. $250 million for that bullsh*t, get out of my face. He’s robbing people, you can’t do that.”
It’s not only the weaker defense that has opened up the game for LeBron after 20+ years. The Lakers star alluded to this himself earlier this season, when he explained how his basketball IQ and mental approach to the game give him a leg up over most athletes, who simply rely on their physical gifts.
Since taking on a role in the NBA media, Shaq has been quick to call out today’s players for the current state of the game and the evolution of basketball culture.
