It’s a little early to be thinking of the NBA Playoffs, but that didn’t stop our man Shaq from taking on one of the big draft-related sticking points that always seems to be a hot topic of conversation… teams “tanking” to get better (higher) draft picks in the NBA Lottery. As always, the big fella never needs much prompting to deliver a headline.
In a wide-ranging interview with Andrew Perloff of Athlon Sports, the Hall of Fame center bounced from Olympic sports to draft reform to today’s biggest NBA stars — offering bold solutions and even bolder opinions along the way.
The conversation began playfully. After joking that he could’ve been a professional curler, O’Neal confidently claimed he could handle biathlon too — skiing and shooting included. When asked if he’s a good shot, Shaq quipped, “It’s not like free throws.”
Then things shifted to basketball.
On the topic of tanking, Shaquille O’Neal proposed a radical overhaul of the NBA Draft system. Instead of lottery balls determining the No. 1 pick, he wants the league’s non-playoff teams to compete for it.
“The week before the playoffs start, make them play in a tournament,” O’Neal suggested. “Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Whoever wins gets the first pick.”
Forget ping-pong balls. Earn it on the floor.
Shaq was careful about labeling teams as tanking, noting there’s a “thin line” between strategic losing and other questionable practices. But his solution was clear: if you want the top pick, win a tournament. No percentages. No lottery luck.
The conversation then turned to the All-Star Game, where O’Neal praised young stars for restoring competitiveness to the showcase event. He specifically highlighted Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards for setting the tone.
“When I think about the All-Star Game,” Shaq said, recalling the days of Michael Jordan versus Dominique Wilkins and the legendary three-point duels featuring Larry Bird, “guys played hard and competed.”
He admitted that his generation let some of that edge slip away, with players often prioritizing health over intensity. But seeing Wembanyama and Edwards compete gave him hope.
As for whether Wembanyama can lead the Spurs past the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Shaq believes it won’t rest solely on the 7-foot-4 phenom. Depth will determine whether San Antonio can truly contend.
When asked how he would’ve fared against Wembanyama in his prime, O’Neal delivered vintage bravado.
“Barbecue French toast, barbecue French chicken,” he joked, before admitting Wemby might’ve hit a few threes. Still, Shaq’s strategy would’ve been simple: attack the rookie, force foul trouble, and demand double teams — just like teams did with Tim Duncan and David Robinson when guarding him.
On LeBron James, O’Neal predicted no farewell tour. He believes LeBron will quietly extend his records beyond reach. However, when asked if LeBron and Luka Dončić could win the West, Shaq was blunt: no. Not without more support.
Finally, he addressed Joel Embiid, urging the former MVP to play “harder and smarter” and rely less on jump shots. As for the 76ers’ future, Shaq sees promise, especially with Tyrese Maxey emerging as the team’s engine.
Love him or disagree with him, Shaq’s opinions remain as dominant as his prime.