NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal says modern big men like Wembanyama and Holmgren wouldn't survive his era - "I'd make both of them quit!"

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back when discussing the new generation of big men, specifically targeting Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama . On The Big Podcast, O’Neal boldly stated he’d force both players to "quit" if they faced him in his prime.

Shaquille O’Neal’s blunt take on modern big men

When asked if teams need to adjust their strategies to counter players like Holmgren and Wembanyama, O’Neal dismissed the idea. He argued that their reliance on perimeter shooting instead of dominating the paint would be their downfall against a physical force like him.

"No. And I hate putting myself forward, but I would make both of them quit," Shaquille O’Neal said. "To me, any guy that's 7'4" that's out there shooting jumpers, they don't want that funk. Cause if I'm 7'4", I want to make everything easy. You've to shoot a high percentage. Ain't no big shooting above 50%. You know what I'm gonna be down there? 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% if you mess me off."

How Holmgren and Wembanyama differ from traditional centers


Today’s NBA values versatility in big men, with players like Nikola Jokic stretching the floor as elite shooters. Holmgren and Wembanyama fit this mold but with unique physical traits:

- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 7'4", shoots 35% from three

- Chet Holmgren (Thunder): 7'1", shoots 37% from three

Both are significantly lighter than traditional centers, allowing quicker movement but less physical dominance.

Could Shaq really shut the modern big men of NBA down?

While Shaquille O’Neal’s dominance in the paint is undisputed, the game has evolved. Here’s how the two eras compare:


Factor

Shaq’s Era

Modern NBA



Shaquille O’Neal’s criticism hinges on efficiency—he shot nearly 60% for his career, while Wembanyama and Holmgren hover around 35-37% from deep. However, their ability to stretch the floor could force a player like Shaq into uncomfortable defensive situations.

Also read: Shaquille O'Neal goes nuclear on modern NBA stars; unleashes fiery NSFW comment - "That don't make no f***ing sense"

Comparing eras is always contentious. While O’Neal’s physicality would challenge Holmgren and Wembanyama, their skill sets exploit modern defensive schemes in ways Shaq never faced. Whether he could truly "make them quit" remains a hypothetical—but it’s a debate that fuels basketball’s endless evolution,