Donovan Mitchell has been one of the breakout stars this season playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former Utah Jazz star faced playoff heartbreaks on multiple occasions and it seems he has finally hit the ground running this season. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has received some flak following Mitchell’s resurgence. The four-time NBA champion was very harsh on a young Mitchell and he recently addressed his criticisms.

Talking on the I Am Athlete podcast, the Los Angeles Lakers legend defended his bashing of Mitchell a few years ago. While the other panelists argued over Shaq’s statement, the NBA legend reveals why he was so harsh on Spida.

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the real reason behind his Donovan Mitchell bashing

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal knows a star when he sees one. In order to motivate and push the younger players, Shaq tends to slam them mercilessly for a very specific reason, as revealed during the recent episode of the I Am Athlete podcast.

When the panelists confronted Shaq on bashing Spida so mercilessly, O’Neal gave his side of the story. Mitchell’s ability to lead a franchise was questioned by Shaq, while Spida was still young in the league. Despite all the criticism he received back then, Shaq’s mind games seemed to have worked.

Shaq said, “Same thing I did to Penny Hardaway, same thing I did to Kobe Bryant, same thing I did to DWade. Spida got that dog in him, I know exactly what I’m doing. Did you see how he playing now? I’m not saying that was me but I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Moreover, Shaq also asserted that he doesn’t often praise the younger players with a lot of potential. Rather, he gets them motivated in his own unique way. Mitchell, who has a $163 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has completely turned his team’s fortunes. They are on their way to their first playoffs since LeBron James left the franchise to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Donovan Mitchell joined Kobe Bryant and others in an exclusive club

There are only a handful of players who have scored more than 70 points in a single NBA game. On January 2nd, 2023, Donovan Mitchell joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Devin Booker, and others to score more than 70 points in a game.

Taking on the Chicago Bulls, Mitchell scored 71 points in a 145-134 win which left the NBA world stunned. Booker had scored 70 points a few years ago against the Boston Celtics, while Bryant had scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.

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Do you agree with what Shaquille O’Neal said about Spida Mitchell? Let us know in the comments down below.