Tag: Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his MVP

Shaq picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his MVP.

As the 2023-24 regular season winds down, the MVP race tightens. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a prominent player in those discussions this season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (46-20) sit in first place in the Western Conference standings. The young squad has opened a championship window this season.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s superstar rise has been the main reason. The 25-year-old is averaging 31.1 points on 54% shooting, 6.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds. He also averages a league-leading 2.1 steals.

Before the Thunder collected a signature win over the Dallas Mavericks, Shaquille O’Neal spoke highly of Gilgeous-Alexander, claiming he meets his standards for MVP this season.

“SGA is my MVP right now. He fits both our criteria. He’s the baddest m-f-, shut-your-mouth in the league and his team is winning,” O’Neal said. “He’s definitely my MVP.”

This is a pretty strong endorsement for Gilgeous-Alexander. O’Neal is one of the greatest players ever and has turned into a massive media personality over the years with the “NBA on TNT” crew.

As the Thunder continue to play on national television, famed pundits such as Shaq will recognize Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the league.

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Shaq boldly said he’d take Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic

Shaq boldly said he’d take Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to rise as contenders, the number of nationally televised games will increase.

This gives media personalities such as Shaquille O’Neal, who is part of TNT’s famous four-man panel, a chance to offer his thoughts on Thunder players. He did exactly that with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before OKC’s loss to the LA Clippers on Tuesday.

When discussing Gilgeous-Alexander and his MVP-type season, the Hall-of-Famer spoke highly of the 25-year-old and boldly stated he’d take him over Luka Doncic.

“I’m gonna have to take him,” O’Neal said when asked which of the two he’d take. “Luka is a fabulous player, but this kid? Listen, he plays the right way, gets his teammates involved. When he puts his head down, goes to the basket. …

“I’m taking him right now. He’s definitely emerged as one of my favorite players to watch. I like stories like this — guys that come out of nowhere and are a force to be reckoned with. He’s a hell of a player right now.”

Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise has been special to watch unfold over the last two seasons. He joins a long lineage of Thunder players who’ve blossomed into one of the best players in the league.

The fact that a legitimate argument could be made between Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic — one of the best players in the league — speaks volumes about the former’s rapid ascension to the upper echelon of players.

After finishing on the All-NBA first team last season, expect Gilgeous-Alexander to make another strong case for back-to-back considerations.

In 39 games, he’s averaging 31 points on 55.2% shooting, 6.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He’s headlined the second-place Thunder’s 27-13 record.

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‘Phenomenal is the wrong word’: Shaq cools off Chet Holmgren hype

‘Phenomenal is the wrong word’: Shaq cools off Chet Holmgren hype.

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren has taken the league by storm. The 21-year-old center has played a vital role in OKC’s 20-9 start to its season.

Despite it being his first season, Holmgren has built quite an impressive resume — one that merits at least consideration to become a rare rookie All-Star. In 29 games, he’s averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists.

Holmgren is vying with Victor Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year award; barring injury, the honor will likely come down to the two seven-footers. Both have received plenty of praise through their rookie campaigns as the next generation of great bigs.

But according to NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal, he’d like the hype for Holmgren to scale back. O’Neal stated Holmgren needs to accomplish more before he can be called a phenom.

On Shaq’s podcast with Udonis Haslem, O’Neal opined that some of the praise Holmgren has received is too much, too fast. For instance, his co-host Adam Lefkoe used the word phenomenal to describe the rookie center.

“Y’all throwing around words that we had to work hard for. Phenomenal’s not the right word. … He’s good, but don’t be going promising and great and future Hall of Famer.

Starting today, I’m putting an end to all that s—. I am, starting today. Y’all can’t just be giving these people things who ain’t put in no work.

Phenomenal is the wrong word. And you can’t use dominant unless he does it for a consistent amount of time — I’m not talking two or three games. I’m talking years.”

O’Neal is one of the greatest centers ever, so his thoughts on today’s centers will always hold merit. The four-time NBA champion has enjoyed a successful post-playing career, being part of the NBA on TNT crew since 2011.

Meanwhile, Holmgren will have plenty of time to change O’Neal’s mind. The 21-year-old is just starting his NBA career. Given the way he’s played thus far, he has a strong chance to be one of the best centers of his era.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lists his all-time starting lineup

What are your thoughts on SGA’s all-time starting lineup?

Debating legacies and being asked to name the greatest players ever is inherently a subjective topic that’ll guarantee long and emotional conversations in the aftermath.

No matter who is listed, there will always be pushback as the opinionated topics don’t have any definitive answers.

In a video with NBA 2K, Oklahoma City Thunder franchise guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tackled this issue when he was asked to name his all-time starting lineup.

The 25-year-old listed off his starting five in the short clip:

  • Allen Iverson
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Michael Jordan
  • Kevin Durant
  • Shaquille O’Neal

This is a pretty unique take by Gilgeous-Alexander. The most notable absence is LeBron James, who is on the Los Angeles Lakers. The only active player in Gilgeous-Alexander’s five is Durant, who spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Thunder.

The least surprising inclusion in Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-time starting five is Bryant, who he famously said is like MJ but “on steroids.” Considering his age, Gilgeous-Alexander likely grew up watching Bryant’s prime with the Lakers.

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Steph Curry reveals his all-time NBA starting five

The Golden State Warriors star guard revealed his picks for his all-time starting five.

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In an offseason interview with BuzzFeed, Steph Curry waded into hot button debate after being asked to name his all-time starting five. While petting some puppies, the Golden State Warriors guard revealed his picks for his all-time starting five.

The two-time Most Valuable Player named five Hall of Famers starting with Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson as his five. Curry initially picked Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird as his small forward but later added Bryant over Bird.

Via @StephMuse_ on Twitter:

 

Although he named three historic members of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors guard also left off his longtime rival, LeBron James.

Curry’s list included five players that all deserve their place on any type of all-time starting five conversation. Curry included different players from multiple generations of the NBA, including multiple players he was able to suit up against and share the court with at one point.

Despite two MVP awards and four NBA championships, Curry left himself out of the rotation. Curry could add some much-needed shooting from beyond the arc to his starting five.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Steph Curry may be virtual fan and support Seth Curry during playoffs

Steph Curry said he might hop on the virtual board to watch his brother Seth and the Dallas Mavericks play.

Golden State Warriors fans might get to see Steph Curry on TV for one of the NBA’s games after all.

Curry won’t be on the floor, as he and the Warriors are one of the eight teams not in the Orlando bubble. But Curry could be among other fans on the league’s virtual board. Curry told CNBC’s Jabari Young that he may hop on as a virtual fan for one of the Dallas Mavericks’ games. Curry’s younger brother, Seth Curry, plays for the Mavericks.

“During the playoffs, when they get to the first round, I might be in there and wear my Dallas uniform and make everybody go crazy,” he said, per Young.

Seeing Curry as a virtual fan would make him one of several people to make an appearance on the board. Former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh are just some others who have been virtual fans. Along with them, players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul have had their children be on the virtual screen. Paul’s wife also made an appearance.

Seth Curry is scoring 12.5 points a game and shooting 45.0% from the 3-point line on a career-high 5.1 attempts. The Mavericks are coming off a loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavericks are 1-3 in the bubble, and they will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Charles Barkley weighs in on Trail Blazers signing Carmelo Anthony (Hoopshype)

The Portland Trail Blazers are signing Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Portland Trail Blazers are signing Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Charles Barkley weighs in on Trail Blazers signing Carmelo Anthony

The Portland Trail Blazers are signing Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Portland Trail Blazers are signing Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.