Shaquille O’Neal Hilariously Claims He Was The First Big Man With Dribbling Ability

Shaquille O'Neal, in classic fashion, declares himself the original big man to dazzle with ball-handling skills, playfully teasing today's talents like Victor Wembanyama in NBA banter.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

In a recent NBA In-Season Tournament matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, Shaquille O’Neal took a humorous trip down memory lane, claiming to be the first big man to bring the ball up the court with style and charisma. The commentary crew, including Reggie Miller, acknowledged Bam Adebayo’s impressive coast-to-coast play, prompting Miller to reminisce about a young O’Neal doing something similar during his playing days. 

“Great move, great finish. And yes Greg, I was the first big guy to bring the ball up the court. Not Wemby, not Bol Bol. But, me. Me.” 

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1729670533459882349

Shaquille O’Neal, known for his larger-than-life personality, comically asserted his status as a trailblazer in bringing the ball up the court as a big man. With a touch of humor and self-praise, O’Neal emphasized that neither Wemby nor Bol Bol, two contemporary big men in the league, can claim the distinction of being the first to showcase such dribbling abilities.

The banter continued O’Neal’s ongoing playful rivalry with emerging talents in the league, this time playfully dismissing the achievements of young players like Victor Wembanyama. O’Neal’s boastful declaration adds a light-hearted touch to the commentary, showcasing his confidence and charisma, both on and off the court.


Shaquille O’Neal Could Have Been A Devastating Coast-To-Coast Finisher

Shaquille O’Neal, renowned for his dominance in the post and unmatched physical presence, possessed a surprising and underrated ability—his capability to run coast-to-coast with the basketball. While Shaq’s primary reputation was built on his imposing post moves, powerful dunks, and defensive prowess, glimpses of his ball-handling skills hinted at an even more formidable force he could have become.

In various highlight clips, Shaquille O’Neal showcased moments of impressive dribbling, especially for an athlete of his size and stature. His agility and surprising finesse when handling the ball were evident in these instances, revealing a dimension of his game that often took a backseat to his overpowering post-play.

The prospect of Shaq developing into a devastating coast-to-coast finisher is a thrilling hypothetical scenario for basketball enthusiasts. A player of Shaquille O’Neal’s magnitude, equipped with the ability to grab a rebound and seamlessly initiate a fast break, would have been an unparalleled force in NBA history. Picture the sheer terror opponents would experience as the 7-foot-1 giant barreled down the court at full speed, combining his size, speed, and agility to finish plays with authority.

While Shaq’s impact on the game was already historic, his potential evolution into a coast-to-coast threat adds an intriguing layer to the narrative of one of the greatest players in basketball history. The thought of Shaquille O’Neal weaving through defenders and showcasing ball-handling finesse akin to guards would have redefined the traditional expectations of a center’s skill set.

Despite not fully exploring this facet of his game during his playing career, Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy remains intact as one of the most dominant and iconic players to ever grace the NBA hardwood. The “Diesel,” as he was fondly known, made an indelible mark with his brute strength, basketball IQ, and charisma, entertaining fans both on and off the court. 

While we can only imagine the havoc Shaq could have wreaked as a coast-to-coast finisher, his actual contributions to the game have already secured his place among the all-time greats.

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Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
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