Our man Shaq never holds back—whether he’s cracking jokes on Inside the NBA or serving spicy takes on social media, the big fella is always unapologetically himself.
Lately, he’s been using his larger-than-life superstar image to talk about the current NBA game, and how he thinks the over-use of the 3-point shot is making the game lots less fun to watch. This week (as of this posting date), Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George took some of the heat on Shaq’s IG timeline.
Shaq posted a tribute to NBA superstars who are defying Father Time, highlighting the impressive performances of seasoned players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard. But amidst the praise, Shaq slipped in a brutal jab at George, dismissing him with a cutting caption that had fans buzzing.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
This season marks George’s first with the Sixers, and let’s just say it hasn’t been smooth sailing. The 34-year-old forward is averaging 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists—a far cry from the All-Star numbers fans expected. Add a shaky 31.4% shooting from beyond the arc, and it’s clear George is still trying to find his rhythm in Philly’s offense.
Injuries have played a role, but even with teammates like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey stepping up when healthy, George has yet to deliver consistently. As the Sixers sit 3.5 games out of the East’s top six, George’s performance could make or break their playoff hopes.
This isn’t the first time Shaq has fired shots at today’s NBA. Whether he’s lamenting the state of center play or critiquing the league’s obsession with three-pointers, the Hall of Famer isn’t shy about voicing his frustrations.
On a recent podcast, Shaq broke down why he finds the modern game uninspiring:
“It’s down because we’re looking at the same thing. Everybody’s running the same plays. At the top of the key, dribble handoff… It makes the game boring.”
As a dominant force who made his living bullying defenders in the paint, Shaq isn’t a fan of today’s perimeter-focused style. While players like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have brought versatility to the center position, Shaq’s trademark back-to-the-basket game remains a relic of the past.
Love him or hate him, Shaq’s authenticity is what makes him such a captivating voice in basketball. Whether he’s hyping up NBA veterans or calling out underperformers like George, you can count on the Big Diesel to tell it like it is.
And as for Paul George? If he’s looking for motivation to turn his season around, Shaq’s unfiltered critique might be just the push he needs. After all, there’s no hiding from Shaq’s spotlight—or his Instagram Stories.