Shaquille O’Neal will always point it out when a team learns a hard lesson. He claimed that the Philadelphia 76ers received the consequences of grossly underestimating their opponents. Shaq took a harsh jab at the team’s mentality, hoping they’d change that. Or else, they’d once again face the same fate the Cleveland Cavaliers served them.

Nonetheless, the 76ers are working with an all-new lineup after the James Harden debacle. One of the young players reveled in his breakout season with Shaq&Co.

Shaquille O’Neal gives 76ers a harsh reality check

The Cavaliers overthrew Philadelphia 122-119 in a shocking upset. The team was down six players and by all intents, it was Philadelphia’s game to win. But they fell to the Cavs in overtime surprising even the TNT team.

Shaquille O’Neal explained how the loss was because the Sixers underestimated the shorthanded Cavaliers. “I’m going to just keep it real, they not fighting for the trophy, they fighting for that $500,000,” Shaq said about Philadelphia.

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Each player of the championship-winning team gets $500,000. Second-place team gets $200,000 for each player. Teams that made it to the semifinals get $100,000 and those that made it to the quarterfinals get $50,000.

According to Shaq, the 76ers are playing for the cash and not the glory. While they admit the players are free to use whatever they want as motivation to win, O’Neal said, “You’re playing against NBA players, you can never disrespect your opponent.” 

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The Cavs listed Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert, Donovan Mitchell, Isaiah Mobley, Isaac Okoro, and Ricky Rubio in the injury report. O’Neal believes by looking down on the understaffed Cavaliers, the 76ers have disrespected the team and therefore lost the game.

Darius Garland made up for the missing team, scoring 32 points throughout the game and extending the lead in overtime. As the Inside Crew pointed out, the Cavs were motivated to not make the shorthanded excuse. Meanwhile, one Sixer is defending his team.

76er’s new recruit addresses Inside team

Tyrese Maxey started his NBA career in 2020 when the 76ers signed him on. 2023 is his breakout season to date, averaging 26.8 points and 7.1 assists so far. In the latest game against Cleveland, he led the team with six assists.

Some have speculated that Maxey is finally getting his moment in the spotlight with James Harden gone. Maxey though defended Harden and the team to Shaq, who has a stern stance on The Beard too.

During his TNT interview, Maxey said that Harden made him a better basketball player and there’s no animosity between him and his former teammates.

Tyrese Maxey Explains James Harden’s Impact to Shaquille O’Neal and TNT Crew

Shaq admitted that he doesn’t watch Cavs games outside TNT coverage. But he’s keeping an eye on the 76ers and hoping for them to step up.