Shaquille O’Neal had a lot of startling comments to make when the Clippers were leading 53-49 against the Nuggets at halftime of their Thursday night matchup. James Harden was the unexpected star of the show while Russell Westbrook was working hard as usual. The game ended in a nail-biter 102-100 in favor of the Clippers while Harden had his best game in a while. While the Clippers will go as far as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George take them, Shaq believes it’s time for the two other stars to step up.

“I trust Kawhi [Leonard], I trust Paul [George],” Shaq said, though Leonard isn’t playing today and George was still underwhelming at halftime (he shot to 21 points in the second half). “Westbrook and Harden will have to play superb basketball for them to advance. I don’t wanna hear about, who’s gonna get the ball, get yourself the ball… do what you do.” Harden had a strong first half, scoring 14 points today. Westbrook was held to 4 points.

All the brutally honest feedback from the TNT studio seems to have gotten to The Beard. He outdid all the expectations and gave a reminder of his prime years going 20 points today along with 6 rebounds and 8 assists in 38 minutes. It’s been a while since Harden has made that many points in one game. And he achieved a career milestone in the second quarter, becoming the fourth player to accumulate 25,000 points, 7,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds in a list that also includes Westbrook.

While Leonard rests for the second consecutive game, Westbrook aided with 12 points. Shaq’s reliable man, Paul George, led the team with 28 points, an additional 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He was instrumental in ending the team’s five-home-game losing streak.

Shaq’s opinion seems to contrast his co-analysts filling in for Chuck, Ernie, and Kenny. Jamal Crawford seems to hinge the Clippers’ hopes on Harden and expects him to prove his consistency to maintain the team’s fourth seed in the Western Conference. If Harden is nearing retirement, Crawford is demanding he goes out with a bang.

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In the last five games, Harden has made 14 out of 44 attempted field goals. His scoring average has dropped abysmally and analysts like Crawford feel he can’t afford to lose a shot while he’s playing on the same team as Westbrook and George. For Shaq, this is a team of hits and misses.

Shaq’s opinion is as Shaky as the Clippers

Shaq’s differing opinions on the Clippers could give you whiplash. Despite how he made it sound, he bet $20 they’d win (Lefkoe still hasn’t paid up). While on one hand, he says he lacks faith in Westbrook, Shaq also defends Westbrook’s performance to his co-hosts. And while he claims George is the best bet the Clippers have, something makes Shaq hesitate about him and Harden going into the playoffs.

“James Harden wanna win a championship, he gotta be a vital part of that offense…No disrespect, him and (Paul George) sometimes disappear in the playoffs,” he said. Many would agree. Harden hasn’t made double-digits in a while. George is carrying the team but even he seems to struggle without Leonard and Westbrook.

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Despite today’s nail-biting finish against the defending champions, the Clippers remain daunting. They’ve got a lot to do to earn Shaq’s complete trust.

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