It was one of those ‘what were you doing when this happened’ moments. Luka Doncic had a record-breaking night when the Mavericks won 130-104 against the Hornets. Doncic set the franchise record with a total of 2.341 points after making 39 points in 25 minutes. It was also a big night for Daniel Gafford, who went 12-for-12 for 26 points. While the TNT crew was drooling over the numbers on the Mavs’ end, Shaquille O’Neal got nostalgic.

When asked if he’s ever seen someone play “so easy as Luka” like that in his 19-year career, Shaq was affirmative. “Yes, Penny Hardaway.” That was his ‘Kobe before Kobe’ when Shaq was the monster upstart of Orlando Magic.

Perhaps Luka’s massive triple-double reminded him of Anfernee Hardaway’s career-high night in 1995. The 1995 Magic is regarded as the best team that never won because of the formidable Shaquille O’Neal in the squad and an equally strong squad. But in November of that year, the big man was recovering from a severely injured thumb.

In his absence, others like Hardaway and Dennis Scott stood out. He might recall the game from the sidelines when Hardaway shone with a career high 42 points against the New Jersey Nets on November 8, 1995. Orlando won 130-122 thanks to Hardaway. Shaq would only be able to return a month later and together they powered Orlando to the finals. At his jersey retirement, O’Neal told his Blue Chips co-star, “you made me look good.”

Doncic has secured the Mavs a playoff berth. And apart from being a broken Slovenian, he’s always reminding O’Neal of his favorite teammates.

Shaq has a lot to say about Luka Doncic comparisons

Only a month ago, Luka Doncic was on such an impressive streak that he came up on The Big Podcast. That time, he was getting compared to Alonzo Mourning, a Heat Culture icon who won the 2006 championship alongside Shaq. As much as we can see where the comparisons are coming from, O’Neal stopped short of comparing Doncic’s ongoing career with Mourning’s entire body of work.

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“If Luka won a title, he’s under 25 with the numbers he’s doing, what happens then?” He said a month ago. Despite his apparent admiration for Doncic’s talent, he’s still not considering him an MVP contender. At least not over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As he did before, O’Neal pushed SGA for MVP over Doncic, much to the TNT guys’ shock.

Either TNT viewers will be up in arms again to disprove him or will let this repeat offense pass. What do you think about his take on Luka Doncic’s night?

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