In the latest episode of The Big Podcast, Shaquille O’Neal and co-host Adam Lefkoe acknowledged their occasional disagreements. The NBA analyst took issue with the way NBA media, including Lefkoe, described rookie Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Holmgren, a promising force, is in contention for Rookie of the Year alongside Victor Wembanyama. Lefkoe’s enthusiastic praise of both players irked O’Neal, who leads the Big Man Alliance and believes such recognition should be exclusive.
When Lefkoe labeled Holmgren as “phenomenal,” O’Neal swiftly objected, stating, “Don’t do that.” As the self-proclaimed leader of the Big Man Alliance, O’Neal insisted that the 21-year-old has not played long enough to be considered among the elite big men in the league.
Shaq’s Call for Patience: No Lavish Labels Without Years of Consistency
Expressing frustration, Shaq emphasized, “Y’all can’t just be giving these people things who ain’t put in no work,” directed at Lefkoe and the NBA media riding the Holmgren hype train. O’Neal demanded a sustained career to justify lavish adjectives, stating, “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.”
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Holmgren, approximately 30 games into his NBA career, played a crucial role in the Thunder’s 20-9 start, averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.5 assists. Despite commendable numbers, O’Neal remains unconvinced, citing the need for sustained excellence.
Comparing stats, O’Neal highlighted his own impressive rookie season in 1992, averaging 23.4 points, a feat matched by Wembanyama. O’Neal, known for stirring discussions, is unwavering in his stance, challenging the media narrative surrounding emerging talents in the NBA.