he 2026 NBA Finals gave basketball fans everything they could ask for—drama, excitement, superstar performances, and a championship celebration nearly three decades in the making. When the dust settled, the New York Knicks were raising the trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five memorable games.
While much of the basketball world focused on guards like Jalen Brunson, De’Aaron Fox, and rising star Dylan Harper, one NBA legend had his eyes locked on a different battle.
You guessed it: Shaquille O’Neal was watching the big men.
And honestly, would we expect anything else?
Shaq has spent years reminding everyone that dominant centers still matter. So when the Finals featured two of the league’s most talented bigs—Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns—it was basically basketball heaven for the four-time NBA champion.
Speaking after the series, Shaq couldn’t hide his excitement.
He praised both players and admitted he was simply happy to see two elite big men battling on the game’s biggest stage. For O’Neal, it wasn’t about picking sides. He has admiration for both Wembanyama and Towns and loved seeing the spotlight shine on players who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work in the paint.
In recent years, the NBA has become increasingly focused on guards launching deep three-pointers and creating highlight-reel plays. That’s great for fans, but Shaq has always believed championships still require size, toughness, and players who can control the game inside.
This Finals gave him exactly that.
Towns played a huge role in helping the Knicks secure the title, particularly with his defensive effort against the towering Wembanyama. While the Spurs superstar still showed flashes of brilliance throughout the series, Towns made life difficult for him on both ends of the floor.
The matchup became one of the most fascinating storylines of the Finals.
For longtime Shaq fans, seeing two seven-footers battling night after night probably brought back memories of the days when dominant centers ruled the league. Think Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Tim Duncan. Big men weren’t just part of the game—they were the game.
Now, O’Neal sees signs that history may be repeating itself.
Wembanyama is already one of the league’s brightest young stars. Nikola Jokic continues to dominate as one of basketball’s most complete players. Chet Holmgren is developing into a force, and young talents like Jalen Duren are steadily making their mark.
In Shaq’s eyes, the era of the dominant big man isn’t fading away—it’s making a comeback.
Of course, Shaq being Shaq, he couldn’t resist adding a little swagger to the conversation. When recently asked about a hypothetical one-on-one matchup with Wembanyama, the Hall of Famer remained as confident as ever.
Would Wemby score? Sure.
Would Shaq still back himself to win?
Absolutely.
Some things never change.
And if this Finals taught us anything, it’s that big men are once again becoming must-watch television. That’s great news for basketball fans—and even better news for a certain 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer who has been preaching that message for years.
The Big Aristotle has spoken, and the big-man renaissance is officially underway.