In this week’s edition of The Big Podcast, hosts Shaquille O’Neal and Adam Lefkoe admitted they’ve had their fair share of disagreements. We can see why. The NBA pro-turned-analyst doesn’t accept every commentary from NBA media, including Lefkoe. He took exception to the adjectives used to describe Chet Holmgren. The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie is indeed proving to be a force, but Shaq’s not ready to give him credit yet.

Holmgren’s rival for Rookie of the Year is Victor Wembanyama. Lefkoe hyped both of them together and upset O’Neal. On the podcast, Shaq wanted to curb the hype around Holmgren.

When Lefkoe called Holmgren, “phenomenal,” Shaq said, “Don’t do that.” O’Neal is the self-proclaimed leader of the Big Man Alliance, and he ensures it’s exclusive. He doesn’t think the 21-year-old has played long enough to be part of the elite Big Men in the league.

“Y’all throwing around words that we had to work hard for. Phenomenal’s not the right word… He’s good, but don’t be going promising and great and future Hall of Famer. Starting today, I’m putting an end to all that s***. I am, starting today. Y’all can’t just be giving these people things who ain’t put in no work,” he directed at Lefkoe and the NBA media on the Holmgren hype train.

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That wasn’t all. He demanded to see a longstanding career to justify all the adjectives following Holmgren. “Phenomenal is the wrong word. And you can’t use dominant unless he does it for a consistent amount of time — I’m not talking two or three games. I’m talking years.” 

Holmgren is about 30 games into his NBA career. He was vital to Thunder’s 20-9 start while averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists. His numbers are nothing to be scoffed at but he’s going to have to keep it going for a long time to earn Shaq’s favor. Rookie O’Neal was averaging 23.4 points in 1992 and his record was matched by Wemby.

O’Neal though is no minor troublemaker. Just like Lefkoe, he’s managed to get people talking.

Shaq’s big men opinion sees dissent

O’Neal said on the same podcast his opinions are calculated to get people talking. He did exactly that with his commentary on Chet and the NBA media. Several fans took to social media to counter him with facts on Holmgren.

Shaq did say that Holmgren has immense potential. This was his way of saying he wants to see him become a dominant player in a few years.

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Expect Big Diesel to rile up the NBA community with his Big Men opinions for a long time. That’s how the most dominant center in NBA history rolls.

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