Hoops legend Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most vocal critics of NBA players today. The Los Angeles Lakers great has been really critical of Rudy Gobert in the past, even calling the Frenchman the worst player of all time.
O'Neal also has an ongoing beef with Dwight Howard, with both players going back and forth with their criticisms against each other.
More recently, Shaq targeted the Detroit Pistons and criticized them despite finally turning their franchise around and establishing themselves as playoff contenders.
On Tuesday, it looks like O'Neal found a new target to criticize, as he mocked New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson despite his triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Williamson had a sensational game to lead the Pelicans to the 127-120 victory, tallying 22 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. He shot 8-of-13 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line in what was easily his best performance of the season.
Instead of heaping praise on Williamson and commending how he has fought through injuries in his career, O'Neal instead pointed out how he wasn't impressed by his latest showing.
"You giving him props for that?" O'Neal said. "I need more. Anybody can get 20 points now. That's not good enough. I'm not impressed by that."
Shaq slams Zion's 22-10-12 performance
"You giving him props for that? I need more. Anybody can get 20 points now. That's not good enough. I'm not impressed by that"
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/oJENda9hH5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 12, 2025
While some agreed with Shaquille O'Neal, several others called the basketball icon a hater, who is an example of what's wrong with the current media landscape in the NBA.
"Shaq takes hating to new levels. Zion had a triple-double. That's always an impressive night," a commenter wrote.
Another one said, "In the span of 24 hours, Shaq has managed to hate on the Pistons because 'they're not winning a championship so who cares' and Zion because he had a 20 point triple double instead of a 30 point triple double. NBA media will be a better place when Shaquille O' Neal is not in it.
"If Bol Bol put up the same Zion statline Shaq would call him MVP," a poster added, referencing how O'Neal has praised the Phoenix Suns big man in the past.
"In a span of 24 hours, Shaq called the Detroit Pistons boring and discredited Zion Williamson's triple double. NBA media in the gutter," a viewer further stated.
A fifth critic shared, "Shaq are you good? This is a good stat line he impacted the game on both sides of the floor… Just say good game and keep it pushing."
"This is why nba media is so bad for anyone wondering," a social media user claimed.
Zion Williamson drives on Bol Bol at Footprint Center. Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Williamson has yet to react to O'Neal's comments about him. For what it's worth, the former NBA star has said before that the reason he's hard on players today is because he wants to motivate them.
Sure enough, it will be interesting to see whether Williamson speaks out or just lets O'Neal's remarks fuel him.
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 4:12 AM.