This story has a tie-in with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and it's a fascinating one. Start with this: Not long ago, Shaquille O'Neal and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell were involved in an awkward situation on national television.
With millions watching live, O'Neal questioned Mitchell's ability to lead the Jazz to the next level. The Hall of Fame center received plenty of backlash over the encounter, but that's not going to stop him from doubling down on his belief toward the Jazz shooting guard.
O'Neal was a guest on the FULL SEND PODCAST, where he revisited his moment with Mitchell.
“What I am saying is, I play with Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, D-Wade, LeBron James, Steve Nash. If you ain’t on that level, I don't know what great is.”
“Really good player, on his way. But to try to crown [the Jazz guard] as the next.” O'Neal said. “Then I said okay, if he is crowned the next, where is he ranked right now. And, people saying five, six, seven. I said ‘I don’t know where you’ll come from but being 5th is not acceptable to me.’ If I am not number one or number two don’t bring my name up, ever.”
Shaq witnessed how stars made the leap to the next level. Hardaway was his co-star in Orlando, where they appeared in the NBA Finals with the Magic. He saw firsthand Wade and Bryant's evolution. James and Nash? Let the MVP trophies speak for themselves.
Donovan Mitchell is fresh off leading the Jazz to the best NBA regular-season record in 2021. He'll be extra motivated coming into the new season. For all we know, he's probably using these words from Shaquille O'Neal to fuel himself for the months ahead.
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