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Nikola Jokic to Be the Next “President” Hints Shaquille O’Neal While Shutting Down Joel Embiid Shouts for 1 Valid Reason

Published 03/13/2024, 7:05 AM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal is not just the President of Basketball Operations at Reebok. Big Diesel also leads a special club he founded for legendary basketball centers. Calling it the ‘Big Man Alliance’, the 4x NBA champion himself chooses players who deserve to get included in the list. Last year, he made some impressive inclusions, including Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. This year, in his latest interview, Shaq hinted at another potential honor for the 2x NBA MVP.

During a conversation with Yahoo Sports, the host asked the Los Angeles Lakers legend about Joker‘s next position in the ‘Big Man Alliance’ if he wins another championship. In response, O’Neal answered, Yes, he’s (Nikola Jokic) already in the room and if he gets another championship, he’ll just get more access and he’ll just be closer to dethroning the president.”

While he hinted at the potential of the Serbian big becoming the next president of the prestigious club, he also snubbed Joel Embiid once again for one reason. Shaquille O’Neal continued, Joel Embiid is behind him but in this world we live in, you don’t get certain access until you win.”

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Unfortunately, the Process can’t get included in O’Neal’s prestigious list until he wins a championship. Earlier in an episode of ‘NBA on TNT’, O’Neal expressed that Embiid has to win a ring to get included in the Big Man Alliance club. And since the Joker met that requirement last year, Shaq has been full of praise for the Serb. During the same interview, he would heap further praise on Jokic. “Best big man in the league, plays the right way. Everything he does is the right way, like he makes the right pass, he makes the right play you know, a great leader.”

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While Nikola Jokic might be running away with the lead in the exclusive club right now, there has been another surprising addition to Shaq’s Big Man Alliance club recently who could be coming for the title.

The youngest Big Man Alliance member

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One of the most promising young prospects after LeBron James was Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4 rookie has garnered significant hype, with a considerable load of responsibilities and pressure now weighing heavily on his shoulders. That has further intensified with O’Neal including him in the Big Man Alliance list of greatest centers in the game.

“I’m not gonna put a lot of pressure on him. He’s 19, a rookie. But from the highlights I’ve seen, he’s definitely in the ‘big man alliance’ already. And I never give it up that early,” said Shaq about selecting the French phenom.

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The big man of the league isn’t the one to praise a rising star so easily. With that, he made an exception. What is your take on this? Other stars chosen by O’Neal are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing. Can we expect Jokic to take over the president title in the future or Embiid to finally find his way into the roster? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Pritha Debroy

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Pritha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. After reporting on the luxurious lifestyle of celebrities for a year, she used that experience to cover the glamor side of the basketball world. She has expertly covered Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan's complicated love story and the lavish vacations of NBA superstars, among other off-court scoops.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair