NBA legend Shaquille O’Neill recently made waves with his controversial comments claiming he would quit the rising star to Chet Holmgren and Victor Wenbagnama.
Shaquille O’Neill, known for his dominant post presence during his play day, was able to confidently declare on the “Big Podcast” and run Roughshod against a pair of emerging talents representing the modern evolution of center positions.
He insisted that his physicality left him both players and was unable to deal with him.
However, three-time NBA champion Danny Green is strongly opposed to Hall of Fame ratings.
Green did not hesitate to challenge O’Neal’s bold claims during his recent emergence on the Run It Back Podcast.
“Shaq has problems protecting these people. He’s not comfortable leaving the paint, to protect them at the boundaries,” explained Green.
Green doubled his rating, adding, “Shack, you haven’t blocked those shots. Those jump shots. And they’ll give him a lot of hell.”
Unlike the traditional centres of the O’Neill era, which was primarily operated with paint, both Wenbanyama and Holmgren represent a new kind of large man.
It combines exceptional length and athletic ability with boundary skills to make the floor space and create offensive opportunities beyond the arc.
Wenbanyama showed amazing shooting skills to players of his size, taking deep 8.8 shots per game with the San Antonio Spurs, converting 35.2% of the 3-point attempt.
Similarly, Holmglen has shown that he can stretch the floor of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with an efficient success rate of 37% on average over the arc.
Green also noted that these young players have already proven themselves against the NBA’s physically imposing centers today.
Citing a specific example, Greene mentions Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, pointing out that Wenbanyama is already facing a dominant big man and treats himself brilliantly.
“If he hasn’t quit against Joel (Embiid), he won’t quit against Shak,” Green concluded.