(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The NBA has significantly evolved throughout the years.
Different players have come in with a new style of play, and if it is successful, they can transform the game.
Steph Curry is a prime example of that.
Before Curry entered the league, there were only a few players who shot three-pointers efficiently, but it wasn’t a massive part of a team’s overall scoring strategy.
Over the last ten years, however, that has changed significantly.
More and more players emphasize the three-point shot in their game, including centers and power forwards.
In the past, big men were given one job: staying in the paint, getting rebounds, and playing defense.
Shaquille O’Neal recently discussed this change in a segment of Draymond Green’s podcast.
“I’m jealous of them because I wish I was allowed to do that. Back then, every now and then I would go coast to coast, the coach would look at me crazy,” O’Neal said.
“I really like those three guys. Any other big guys I’m not really feeling”
—@SHAQ tells @Money23Green why he’s jealous of the modern day big men pic.twitter.com/lIPoUVeAiN
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) June 2, 2024
O’Neal indicated that the modern big man is something that he’s jealous of, as it is a stark difference from when he played.
He is known as one of the best centers of all time, largely due to his dominance in the post.
It would be interesting to see how O’Neal would have played in the current NBA era, especially if he were allowed to develop a jump shot.
Big men certainly have a different role now than they did in the 1980s and 1990s, which has certainly changed the game in a massive way moving forward.
The post Shaq Has Honest Admission About Today’s NBA Big Men appeared first on The Cold Wire.