Shaquille O’Neal has never lacked confidence, and with good reason. At his peak, “The Diesel” was arguably the most physically dominant force the league has ever seen. Now, over a decade removed from his final NBA game, O’Neal believes his dominance would only increase in today’s era. In a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Shaq boldly claimed that he would average 50 points per game in the modern NBA.
“Somebody asked me the other day what would I average. I would average 50. The reason why I would average 50 is because I wouldn’t do what everybody else is doing.”
“You shoot a three on me, ‘Joker,’ you better make it because I’mma run by you, stand in the middle of the lane, and watch your whole team go, ‘Three seconds!’ Penny that b***h and throw it and I’mma dunk it.”
“I know for a fact I’ll make 15 twos before you make 10 threes. I’m getting 30. I’m getting 30 every night. And then now, when you foul somebody, it’s a flagrant, so guys don’t really want to foul you hard. Motherf***ers, That’s another 10 points right there.”
“Then, I’mma concentrate on that f***ing free throw, get that elbow, that’s 45 points right there.”
To Shaq, the formula is simple: stick to his strengths and punish defenses that rely too heavily on perimeter play. In today’s game, where three-point shooting dominates offensive schemes and physical post defense is often penalized with flagrant fouls, O’Neal believes he would thrive like never before.
O’Neal’s logic hinges on several key points: the softness of moderDespite his historically poor free-throw shooting (50.4% for his career), Shaq imagines he could close the gap with focus and the right mentality.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. While Shaq’s size and skill would still be overwhelming, the modern game might expose his weaknesses more than in previous eras.
His inability to guard in space and switch onto perimeter players would be a challenge against modern offenses built on spacing, speed, and pick-and-rolls. Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Luka Doncic would relentlessly target him on defense, especially in high-tempo games.
Even so, as history shows, transcendent talents adjust and impose their will regardless of the era.
In 2000, Shaq averaged 38 points per game in the NBA Finals against elite rim protectors like Dikembe Mutombo and David Robinson. If he could do that then, there’s a real case that today’s spread-out defenses would be even easier to overpower.
Shaq also used this moment to challenge today’s big men to “be great” not imitate him, but dominate in their own way.
In the end, whether it’s 50 points a night or not, there’s little doubt that prime Shaq in today’s game would still be an absolute nightmare, a force unlike anything most modern defenders have ever had to deal with.
