Despite the incredible skill level of today’s NBA players and the immense offensive numbers the league has seen, there are plenty of fans who complain and say that this era is lackluster.
In their view, defense isn’t played anymore and today’s players are very soft.
In response, there is a meme known as “We’re done with the ’90s” that points out the numerous problems the league had during that decade, including but not limited to the ultra-slow pace and lack of ball movement and team play on offense.
Legendary center Shaquille O’Neal, who played in that era, was discussing this meme on his podcast when he said “there are no bad Shaq clips” and challenged fans to find some, per NBACentral.
Shaq sends a challenge to NBA fans
“There’s no such thing as bad Shaq clips… the fan that can put the best bad Shaq clip together, we will fly you out and you can be on the podcast with us.” 👀
(🎥 @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/OrpRK1tRR3) pic.twitter.com/XHLL0R5Bkp
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 10, 2024
O’Neal is a master of braggadocio, but even the best have their poor moments, and perhaps some fan will put together a montage of “bad Shaq clips” and bring them to the Hall of Famer’s attention.
The former big man said if someone does just that, he will fly him or her out to be on his podcast.
O’Neal is known for embarrassing today’s players on a weekly basis by showing blooper reels of them on the “NBA on TNT” in a feature known as “Shaqtin’ a Fool.”
All told, the 1990s did have some great players, starting with, of course, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest ever, and that cast also included O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone, just to name a few.
But the reality is that the NBA has had more overall talent in the last 15 years, and teams today play with pace and employ team basketball, two things that were practically nonexistent 20-25 years ago.
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