Recently, ‘The Big Podcast’ saw the Big Aristotle answering a question that has been on the minds of many fans. Host Adam Lefkoe asked Shaq who he thinks is most likely to make a jump towards the end of this season. Lefkoe then provided 3 options for O’Neal to pick from – Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Paolo Banchero.

However, Shaquille O’Neal immediately fired back at his co-host, “Being as professional as you are, I thought you were gonna give me 3 (options). You only gave me 2.”‘ Lefkoe caught on and asked, “Which one of them doesn’t count?” Any guesses? “Paolo,” Shaq answered. Unexpectedly, the 4x NBA champion dissed last year’s Rookie of the Year and a first time All-Star this season.

On a list alongside rising stars Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, O’Neal saw Banchero as the odd man out. As the host confirmed, Shaq thinks “Paolo can go from a really good player player to a star“, while he sees Ant-Man making the jump from star to superstar status.

This does not imply that Shaq is unaware that Banchero is a talented player. The 6-foot-10 Duke alum is an accomplished scorer with a robust and reliable style. The 21-year-old is averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his second season. Notably, he has also helped Shaq’s first NBA franchise to a 5th seed, which very few pundits expected at the start of the season.

Shaq, though, appears more intrigued by Edwards, who has been dominating in the limelight for longer than Paolo Banchero. Experts claim that Edwards, renowned for his highlight-reel dunks, also possesses the physical attributes necessary to be a secure defender. With other young players on his shortlist of superstars, Shaq wasn’t afraid to voice his opinions.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s smooth-shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brought up, most likely because of his diverse offensive range and MVP contention. Tyrese Haliburton, the point guard for the Indiana Pacers who is renowned for his cunning playmaking, completed Shaq’s list as he has also slowly been elevating himself to his current level of play. This season, he has impressed with averages of 20.8 points and 11.3 assists.

Shaquille O’Neal’s pick Current Season Performance

Anthony Edwards is starting to show himself as a real pursuing powerhouse. He’s been a reliable scoring danger for the Timberwolves, now averaging a career-high 26.8 points per game. The most notable have been recent runs. Eight of his previous nine games have seen him score 27 points or more; in a thrilling victory over the Indiana Pacers, he set a season-best with 44 points. With very little over a minute remaining in the game, Edwards not only proved his ability to score but also his clutch shooting ability by making the game-winning three-pointer.

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Edwards’ primary skill is scoring goals, although he also makes other contributions. His well-rounded skill set is evident as he averages 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The defensive capability Shaq mentioned is beginning to reveal itself. Edwards averages 1.3 steals per game and is a disruptive aspect on the perimeter thanks to his flexibility.

Although Shaq’s remarks provide another perspective to the discussion regarding the upcoming NBA players, Banchero is still likely to be selected as the top contender. There is no denying Edwards’ potential, and with the correct guidance, he may grow into a formidable two-way player. Shaq’s predictions might or might not come true, however, one fact is certain: with this new generation of youthful talent coming up, the NBA is going to grow a lot more captivating.

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