Shaquille O'Neal names the only big men he likes in the NBA: "I really like those three guys. Any other big guys I’m not really feeling"
As someone who averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in his illustrious 19-year NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal considers himself the undisputed president of the so-called “big man alliance,” an imaginary association of the big men in the NBA. With four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, and the 2000 league MVP on resume, “Diesel” is the foremost authority on matters of the post.
That’s why, when Shaq speaks about big men, people listen. Recently, in a discussion with Golden State Warriors All-Star Draymond Green on “The Draymond Green Show,” O’Neal named three players who he likes as members of his “big man alliance” in today’s NBA – Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama.
Big men who play like big men
The game has evolved so much that today’s centers and power forwards don’t always play to their size. In fact, some of the top centers in the league are known for their shooting and ball-handling skills rather than their post play. But for Shaq, a true big man dominates in the paint and embraces their size advantage. That’s why he mentioned Embiid and Jokic as two players he likes watching.
“Embiid is a mixture of me in the post and Hakeem Olajuwon outside. And Joker, man, I was trying to figure who he reminded me of. I was thinking a little Brad Daugherty, a little Sabonis in '84. Like, his game is just nice,” the 15-time All-Star told Dray.
Embiid is coming off another injury-riddled season that limited him to playing in only 39 regular-season games. When the former Kansas star suited up, he was dominance personified, averaging 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Jokic, who was named the 2024 MVP, was dependable and versatile, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, all while playing in 79 regular-season outings.
Shaq also admires the reigning Rookie of the Year, the San Antonio Spurs’ prized young big man, Victor Wembanyama. Although the former LSU standout admitted the 7-foot-4 plays and is built differently than more traditional big men, he still sees the potential for Wembanyama to become one of the best centers in the league.
“Wembanyama is different. He's thin, but he does some stuff. He's really different,” Shaquille stressed.
Wishes he could have been given more leeway to play his game
Shaq was an unstoppable force during his prime. If he got the ball within a few feet of the basket, it was almost a guaranteed two points. That was the 7-foot-1 center’s bread and butter—which helped him become one of the greatest players to suit up in the NBA. However, the 14-time All-NBA selection admitted he wishes he could have played like how today’s big men play.
“I'm jealous of them. Why? I wish I could step out and shoot the three, brother. You know why I call myself Black Steph Curry? Because if I go to the gym and miss 190 threes and make one, I'm the Black Steph Curry. That sh*t feels good to step out and shoot that three, bro,” Shaquille stated.
“I'm jealous of them because I wish I was allowed to do that. You know, back then, I would every now and then take it and go coast to coast, and the coach would look at me crazy,” “Diesel” revealed.
O'Neal was a product of his era—one wherein big men like David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaq himself were expected to dominate inside the paint. However, with the rise of players like Wemby, Embiid, and Anthony Davis, who can shoot from the perimeter just as well as they can dominate inside, Shaquille admits that he would have loved to play in today’s NBA.
