BIG MAN'S VIEW
‘I’m jealous of them,’ Shaq says about Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic as he discusses evolution of NBA centers
Also, Shaq discussed Green's recent Inside the NBA appearances
SHAQUILLE O'Neal has revealed he's jealous seeing modern-day NBA centers knocking down 3-pointer after 3-pointer.
The Los Angeles Lakers icon and Inside the NBA analyst said he's a huge fan of Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Victor Wembanyama, who can both pose a threat from downtown and play like traditional bigs.
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"I'm jealous of them," Shaq, 52, told Draymond Green on his podcast when the Golden State Warriors icon mentioned the three NBA stars as examples of a star center in today's game.
"I wish I could step out and shoot the three, brother.
"You know why I call myself the Black Steph Curry? Because if I go to the gym and miss 190 f**king threes and make one, I'm the Black Steph Curry.
"That s**t f**king feels good to step out and shoot that three, bro."
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Jokic, Embiid, and Wembanyama shot at least 32.5% for 3 on no less than 2.9 attempts per game during the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
Meanwhile, Shaq made just one triple on 22 tries in his Hall-of-Fame career.
O'Neal pointed out that "jealous" doesn't mean he's "envious" of the modern-day big men's ability to shoot 3-pointers.
Rather, it motivates him to go out on the court and try shooting triples from time to time himself.
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"I'm jealous of them because I wish I was allowed to do that," the retired 7-foot-1 Lakers legend continued.
In his playing days, Shaq would raise eyebrows when going coast-to-coast, a standard transition play for bigs these days, the Inside the NBA star added to emphasize how the center's role has changed.
Shaquille O'Neal tells Draymond Green 'you're one of us' after Warriors star's controversial Inside the NBA stint
"I really like those three guys [Jokic, Embiid, and Wembanyama]," O'Neal said.
"Any other big guys, I'm not really feeling."
Shaq also rejected the idea he has a personal vendetta against successful centers that came after him, which is often suggested when he criticizes them on Inside the NBA.
"I don't hate all big men, just don't like the big men that don't play like big men," he said.
Inside the NBA's future?
Inside the NBA's run on TNT Sports is in major doubt due to the NBA's broadcasting deals.
The Emmy-winning sports show is a fan favorite thanks to the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.
But TNT's broadcast deal with the NBA is up after next season and NBC looks set to take those rights in a $2.6bn deal.
If TNT loses its NBA package, it raises serious questions over the popular Inside the NBA.
One solution could be to recreate the show on another network, which snaps up the NBA rights.
Later during the show, O'Neal touched on Green's Inside the NBA run during the 2024 playoffs.
And the 2000 MVP said he was happy to see the Warriors star join the TNT panel.
"I think the reason why they hired you [is] you're very intelligent," Shaq told Green.
"You're definitely one of us. You know how to crack jokes.
"You and Charles [Barkley], also, y'all have me rolling.
"Welcome to the team. I'm glad you're here."
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Shaq also opened up on his early struggles on Inside the NBA.
The Lakers icon revealed TNT execs threatened to fire him if he didn't start to be himself on the show.