(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
There’s a weird phenomenon with former athletes, especially NBA players.
More often than not, retired players tend to overrate their own skills and careers as if the rest of the world wasn’t there to watch them in their prime.
Notably, young fans tend to feel that way about Shaquille O’Neal.
Contrary to most former players, Shaq has become somewhat underrated, as if people had forgotten just how incredibly dominant he was.
Shaq is a fearless competitor, and he’s always been overly confident.
He’s not exactly humble, and he will never turn down an opportunity to let everybody know why he was that guy.
That’s why when Dallas Cowboys stars Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons asked him whether he would average 40 in today’s game, he claimed that he could easily do that (via Bleacher Report).
.@SHAQ told @TrevonDiggs and @MicahhParsons11 he’s averaging 40 in today’s game pic.twitter.com/5kvdUFYzXh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 29, 2024
Some younger fans might think he’s delusional or trying to look down on today’s players, but anyone who watched Shaq play could easily agree.
The game might be more perimeter-oriented, but there’s absolutely no player who could contain Shaq in the block, below, or above the rim.
Even with the poor free-throw shooting, prime Shaq would take at least 25 shots a game in today’s fast-paced offense, and at least half of those would be dunks.
Shaq was an unstoppable force of nature, a true bully with the footwork of a guard, and a guy who was significantly more skilled and intelligent than some people give him credit for.
And with today’s scoring prowess and lack of defense, there’s absolutely no doubt he could average 40.
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