Shaquille O'Neal goes nuclear on modern NBA stars; unleashes fiery NSFW comment - "That don't make no f***ing sense"

Shaquille O'Neal didn’t mince words in his latest explosive rant. On The Big Podcast, Shaq tore into today’s NBA players, questioning their greatness and even calling for the arrest of one particular star.

Shaquille O'Neal’s unfiltered take on modern NBA greatness

Shaquille O'Neal made it clear he holds today’s players to the highest standard—his own. His rant was laced with expletives and brutal honesty, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

"I’ve seen what greatness is, been there, played with them," O’Neal said. "I don’t see that all the time over there. So, you want me to give these motherf— the same props you giving them? That s— will never happen." He dismissed accusations of jealousy, arguing that true greatness can’t be faked.

"If you ain’t f—ing great and I’m great, how the f— can I hate on you? That don’t make no f—ing sense. I’m in the f—ing building, and you not in the building, so how the f— can I hate on you?" While Shaq spared a few stars, he had particularly harsh words for others. (H/t Sporting News)



Players Shaq acknowledged:

- Nikola Jokic ( "Joker can play.")

- Giannis Antetokounmpo ( "Giannis can play.")

- Damian Lillard ( "Dame, a couple of these guys can play.")

- Jayson Tatum ( "He's alright. I'm not going to bash him.")

Players Shaq blasted:

- Ben Simmons ( "That motherf— needs to be arrested.")

What made Big Shaq’s biggest go on an NSFW rant on the podcast?
Shaq has an issue with Ben Simmons salary:

- "$250 (million) for that bulls—? Get the f— out of my face. Robbing people, man. You can't do that."

- (Correction: Simmons has earned $203 million, not $250 million.)

Why Shaquille O’Neal’s rant is gaining notice from NBA fans and critics

1. LSU-on-LSU crime – Both Shaq and Simmons are LSU alumni, making the attack even more personal.

2. Old-school vs. new-school debate – Shaq represents the older generation’s frustration with today’s game.

3. The Ben Simmons saga – Simmons’ struggles with injuries and performance have made him a polarizing figure.

The bigger debate: is today’s NBA really less great?

Shaq’s rant taps into a long-standing NBA debate between old-school and new-school philosophies. From his perspective, greatness is defined by physical dominance, relentless post play, and championship pedigrees—qualities that defined his era. On the other side, today’s game prioritizes skill, versatility, and three-point shooting, with players valued as much for their spacing and playmaking as their brute strength.

While Shaq’s frustration with the modern game is understandable—especially given his own legendary physical style—the evolution of basketball is undeniable. The real question isn’t just whether the game has changed, but whether that change means improvement. Traditionalists like Shaq see a loss of toughness, while modern fans celebrate the increased pace, skill, and strategic depth. The debate rages on, but one thing’s clear: the NBA of today is a different beast than the one Shaq once ruled.

Also read: LeBron James left stunned as Los Angeles Lakers teammates ignore injury in shocking loss to Golden State Warriors

Is Shaquille O’Neal’s rant entertaining or excessive?

Love it or hate it, Shaq’s unfiltered take is pure entertainment. His passion for the game is undeniable, even if his delivery is over-the-top. As long as Shaq has a microphone, the NBA world will keep listening—whether they agree or not.