Shannon Sharpe is a three-time Super Bowl champion who played for the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens. But while the eight-time Pro Bowl player used to play in the NFL, Sharpe does contribute to the NBA as an analyst. Although Sharpe can give entertaining takes, many also stir up some debate. Here's a look at Shannon Sharpe's 10 wildest NBA takes.
10. Shannon Sharp's beef with Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal has often showed plenty of respect towards Nikola Jokic, especially after claiming his third NBA MVP. However, Sharpe claimed that O'Neal is envious of the Nuggets star.
Furthermore, the former NFL player even went as far as criticizing O'Neal's work ethic that should have made the Hall of Fame center more successful. The Big Diesel didn't take Sharpe's words lightly.
9. Comparisons between Russell Westbrook fans and MAGA
Shannon Sharpe compares Russell Westbrook fans to Donald Trump supporters:
“What I don’t get is this Trump-like support of Russ… he’s on his 5th team in 5 years. So all of these teams are wrong? Lakers, Wizards, Thunder, Rockets… everybody was wrong?”
(h/t @TopBallCoverage) pic.twitter.com/mGditPAlKH
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 14, 2023
Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has joined several NBA teams with the hopes of winning a championship. Unfortunately, his efforts went for naught.
But while Sharpe could criticize aspects of his game, the former NFL player opted to target Westbrook's fans. But to make matters worse, Sharpe even touched on political matters that certainly turned some heads.
8. Shannon Sharpe falls victim to a false quote of Kevin Durant
.@ShannonSharpe on KD saying he's not motivated by winning championships:
"It's easy for him to say that now since he has those 2 titles. It put his mind at ease. If he felt this way in the beginning he would've never left OKC or fast-tracked himself to winning titles." pic.twitter.com/4mpbWP3pbb
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) April 12, 2021
It's always a responsibility of a television personality to confirm the facts before spreading information. However, Sharpe ultimately fell victim to a fabricated quote of Kevin Durant. Moreover, Sharpe criticized the two-time NBA champion for leaving Oklahoma City to join the Golden State Warriors. Shortly after, Sharpe's comments didn't entirely sit well with Durant.
7. Kyrie Irving doesn't have a post game
Shannon Sharpe: "Who [the Mavericks] got that they can play with their back to the basket?"
Kendrick Perkins: "Luka [Doncic] & Kyrie [Irving]."
S: "Kyrie's 6 foot tall! He ain't posting up nobody!"
K: "Kyrie don't have a post game?"
S: "Yes! Yes!"pic.twitter.com/rAUaNQI8u2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 26, 2024
Kyrie Irving is one of the craftiest scorers in the NBA. However, Sharpe doesn't seem to be watching Irving's games, claiming that the NBA champion doesn't have a post game, especially with his 6-foot frame. Irving may not be the guard that backs down his defender for a bucket. Instead, the Mavs star either faces up or uses his wide array of moves at the post.
6. Questioning Giannis Antetokounmpo's conditioning in 2021 NBA Finals
Giannis, needs to improve his conditioning. He only plays in 5-6 min stretches
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 9, 2021
In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo nearly ended his career after an apparent leg injury. But Sharpe seemed to be surprisingly unaware of the Greek Freak's health status.
Nevertheless, Antetokounmpo managed to will the Bucks past the Phoenix Suns to give Milwaukee its first NBA title in 50 years. In fact, the championship-clinching game saw the Greek Freak finish with 50 points and 14 rebounds.
5. Next face of the NBA should be married
Shannon Sharpe suggests an interesting criteria for which players can become the face of the NBA after LeBron James
"I did not expect this conversation to take this route." pic.twitter.com/xQ1SE3SYRq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 20, 2024
Being the face of the NBA means being a great role model while also possessing skills that place a player in the GOAT conversation. However, Sharpe unexpectedly brought up a non-basketball-related criteria in choosing the next face of the NBA after LeBron James. Sharpe claimed that the next face of the league should be married, which was surely a headscratcher.
Article Continues Below4. Phil Jackson was bad at building teams
.@ShannonSharpe on Phil Jackson advising Jeanie Buss on Westbrook situation:
"What advice would I take from Phil Jackson? He built no roster in Chicago or in LA. He had his chance in NY and bulldozed it. As good of a coach he was, he's just as bad at building a team." pic.twitter.com/2ohg0ERFA7
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) March 8, 2022
When Jeanie Buss sought advice from Phil Jackson, Sharpe wasn't happy about it. He stated that Jackson pretty much failed badly in reviving the New York Knicks' relevancy in the NBA.
As a result, the analyst claimed that Jackson was terrible in building rosters. Although the facts are there, it was pretty much a wild accusation against a coach that led two decorated franchises to a total of 11 NBA championships.
3. Kobe Bryant is not a Top 5 player
Known as the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant pretty much took over the NBA for many years with his crafty scoring and insane work ethic. Furthermore, his clutch baskets en route to five NBA championships continue to be remembered to this day.
But despite his greatness, Sharpe doesn't consider him as a Top 5 player. For a player that's in everyone's GOAT conversation, Sharpe certainly raised eyebrows for leaving Bryant out of his Top 5.
2. Jordan Poole should've hit Draymond Green first
.@ShannonSharpe reacts to footage of Draymond Green punching Warriors teammate Jordan Poole:
“This was a cheap shot by Draymond. Draymond wanted to send a message but he was wrong for this. And Jordan Poole, you don’t let nobody walk up on you like that!” pic.twitter.com/bQgV1KLNmb
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) October 7, 2022
Fresh from winning an NBA championship, the Warriors seemingly imploded after Draymond Green punched teammate Jordan Poole in a practice session.
But in reaction to the incident, Sharpe surprisingly suggested that Poole should have landed the first punch. But in the first place, should punches and fights have been thrown in the first place, more so after winning an NBA championship?
1. Thunder are the weakest No. 1 seed
"This is the weakest No. 1 seed that we've seen in a very long time."
—@ShannonSharpe on the Thunder 😯 pic.twitter.com/YzclLozofG
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 16, 2024
At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished as the top seed in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record. Despite being the top seed, Sharpe regarded the Thunder as the weakest top seed he has ever seen in a long time. Unfortunately for Sharpe, the Thunder made him think otherwise after they swept the Pelicans in the first round.