There’s a reason that Shaquille O’Neal has a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D). The big man earned it for a thesis on leadership and motivation. His tactics aren’t easy to understand, but they tend to work in ways mere mortals don’t get. One YouTuber did. Recently, Dr. Shaq stirred up controversy with a debatable comparison between the NBA’s 19-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama, and Phoenix Suns center, Bol Bol. It may look like an unsolicited opinion on the surface, but it turned into something better.

Mere days after Shaq’s comments, Wembanyama did something in his first regular NBA season that the Big Aristotle accomplished in his prime. Therefore, it proves that Shaq’s ways give results.

Shaquille O’Neal motivates with criticism

Turning criticism into motivation has been Shaquille O’Neal’s buzz phrase ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season. It may not hit the mark always but it did this time. Champside, a sports YouTube channel, revealed how.

Recently, Shaq surprised the Inside the NBA panel, viewers, fans, and social media users by comparing Victor Wembanyama to Bol Bol. Wemby is already recording jaw-dropping stats in the season. Meanwhile, Bol Bol has not seen enough action in games to have a record to compare.

Trending

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT

Draymond Green ‘Disappointed’ In Anthony Davis For Throwing Darvin Ham Under The Bus On Live TV

April 27, 2024 02:44 AM EDT

“It Will Ruin the Game”: Citing Caitlin Clark’s Example, Geno Auriemma Warns WNBA

April 27, 2024 03:31 PM EDT

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment

April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

Neighboring Billionaire Michael Jordan and Wife Yvette Prieto Could Cost a Fan an Exorbitant 8-Figure Amount With Lavish Amenities

April 27, 2024 01:30 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

But as Champside said, “Shaq does that on purpose. He’s like a reverse psychologist.” The theory has merit. Within a couple of days of that comment, Wemby made a huge statement – he’s recorded 100 points and 10 blocks in his first five career games. This is the first in 30 years.

No player has hit this mark since Shaquille O’Neal made this record as the Orlando Magic rookie in 1992. It appears that Wemby not only took Shaq’s criticism to heart; he outdid him. He even went and made team history by leading the third highest-scoring game by a rookie in Spurs history.

WATCH THIS STORY | Shaquille O’Neal’s Son Shareef Pokes LeBron James’ ‘Villain’ With Stephen Curry’s Dagger: “Bro Got Him Playing…”

As per Champside, O’Neal has a history of using outlandish critiques to motivate players indirectly. He repeatedly did that to Dwight Howard too. “Dwight never got it though,” he said. Instead, Howard would fight back instead of proving Shaq wrong on the court. Even JaVale McGee, who had a feud with Shaq, didn’t get it.

Unlike his harsh criticism, Shaq actually hypes Dwight Howard as one of his faves. He’s also not on the Wemby hype train. Or maybe that’s on purpose.

Shaq stays out of Wemby hype

Victor Wembanyama is touted as the new face of the NBA. But Shaquille O’Neal is not fully on board this train. He’s playing it cool in the TNT booth while everyone is applauding the rookie.

O’Neal would go on to say that Bol Bol is as good as Wemby but not consistent. He’d double down on that claim on Instagram. He’s not finding any support though. Even Charles Barkley exploded at him. He yelled at, refuted, and roasted Shaq across one Spurs game for disparaging Wemby. 

Shaquille O’Neal Dismisses Three-Peat Glory Only to Boast About Herculean Task of Owning 150 Car Washes

It appears, though, that Wemby is working hard on earning Shaq’s approval. Where Dwight Howard failed, he’s turning O’Neal’s criticism into motivation. Do you think it’s working?