We admit – here at the offices of the ShaqFu Radio blog, we didn’t watch a lot of the Summer Olympics from Paris. But of course (of course!) we were locked in for the USA Basketball action. As for our man Shaq… whatever he watched, he was – shall we say – not impressed.
No doubt Team USA put on an impressive final-stretch run and final-game performance to win the gold medal. The big win took a massive comeback over Serbia in the semifinal and some superhuman efforts from Stephen Curry and LeBron James throughout the tournament. Still, as for O’Neal…
The former Laker and Heat superstar is – as we all know – never shy about expressing his opinion on just about any subject, especially the sport in which he was so dominant. But it seems Team USA hoops did not “dominate” Shaq’s attention for the summer games.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
On the most recent edition of his very own “The Big Podcast With Shaq” (as of this posting date), Shaq said he watched very little, if anything. But he didn’t have much to say about the 2024 Olympic men’s basketball team, in part because he admitted to not watching.
On the podcast, co-host Adam Lefkoe asked O’Neal for his opinion on the starting game lineup, which noticeably did not include NBA Finals Champ Jason Tatum. It was then that Shaq came right out and said it, he “didn’t pay any attention” to the Olympic basketball tournament.
When Lefkoe asked him why, Shaq had a slightly odd but interesting take. He said recent US basketball teams “scare me.” When asked what he meant by that, O’Neal explained that other teams around the globe are catching up with American teams.
No doubt a big part of that is the amazing talent that’s being discovered and developed from around the world. Shaq noted that when Team USA “only” beat Sudan by one point, and had to stage comebacks against other team, that means the playing field is leveling.
You don’t have to wait every four years for Summer Olympic Games to see that concept in action. Tournaments between NBA stars and FIBA – the international basketball organization – are getting closer and closer. Worldwide, hoops talent is on the upswing. How much longer before it takes the upper hand (if it ever does)?
So… did you watch Olympic basketball? We mentioned the tough game the Americans had against Serbia, for example. Not surprising, really. That Serbian team included four NBA players, including Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić.
As more and more talent is unearthed from around the world, those players – at least the very best of them – will indeed find their way to the NBA. It’s during the international tournament and Olympic games that they go “home” to play for their native countries..and give Team USA a run for their money.