Big men dominating the game? That’s a discussion tailor-made for Shaquille O’Neal, and Tuesday night provided the perfect fuel for the debate. Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic delivered a jaw-dropping performance, dropping 60 points while also securing a triple-double against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That’s just the third time in NBA history a player has achieved such a feat. Unfortunately for Jokic, his historic night wasn’t enough to secure the win for Denver, but it was more than enough to set the basketball world on fire.
Naturally, the crew on Inside the NBA had plenty to say about the Serbian sensation’s monster game. Host Adam Lefkoe wasted no time throwing an intriguing hypothetical Shaq’s way: What if a prime Shaquille O’Neal and Jokic met head-to-head in an all-out battle of dominant big men?
Shaq, never one to back down from a challenge—real or imaginary—jumped on the question with his signature mix of confidence and humor.
“Slovien chicken,” O’Neal quipped, likely mixing up Slovenia and Serbia, Jokic’s actual home country. “Or wherever he’s from.”
Lefkoe quickly corrected him, but by then, Shaq was already rolling.
“I’m getting 40 and they’re going to have to double me,” he said, grinning. “He probably gonna pick and pop, take me all out there, but he probably won’t be in the game a while. ‘Cause after he shoots the 3, I’m gonna run right to the middle of the lane … we’ll see.”
O’Neal then amped up the stakes by adding that he’d make things even more interesting by throwing an elbow on the first play, just to get Jokic’s notoriously protective brothers fired up. If there’s one thing Shaq understands, it’s how to set a tone early—on and off the court.
Of course, this showdown exists only in the world of “What If?” scenarios, because unfortunately, time travel remains just out of reach. But the thought of a classic back-to-the-basket force like Shaq—who dominated the NBA in an era before the stretch-five revolution—battling Jokic, the ultimate modern-day big man, is the kind of basketball fantasy fans love to debate.
Shaq, of course, has a legendary Lakers history that makes these comparisons even more fun. During his eight seasons in Los Angeles, the Diesel was a force unlike any the league had ever seen. From 1996 to 2004, he made the paint his personal playground, bulldozing opponents on the way to three straight championships from 2000-2002 and winning three consecutive Finals MVP awards. At his peak, O’Neal was simply unguardable—too strong, too skilled, and too relentless in the post.
Jokic, on the other hand, represents the evolution of the modern big man, blending elite passing, three-point shooting, and a high basketball IQ with his own brand of physicality. He’s already secured two MVP trophies, an NBA championship, and a Finals MVP, cementing his place among the league’s all-time greats. But would he stand a chance against the raw power and dominance of prime Shaq?
Sadly, we’ll never know. But the idea of Shaq trading blows with Jokic in a high-stakes battle under the bright lights? That’s the kind of Hollywood-worthy script that might even get Shaq back in the movie game. After all, it’s been a minute since Kazaam or Blue Chips, and the Big Aristotle is always ready for the next big thing.