Shaquille O'Neal has caught flack for being critical of players in the NBA in recent seasons, which has led some fans to become disinterested in his coverage of the league. During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Shaq called out current players for being ‘pudding pops' in terms of accepting criticism.

“When [Kareem Abdul Jabbar] gave me constructive criticism, I took it, I listened and I brought my game to another level. These guys now are pudding pops.”

When O'Neal was busy dominating opposing bigs in the NBA, he used to receive criticism and advice from former players in the league. The legendary big man would use that criticism as motivation en route to having a Hall of Fame career in the NBA.

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O'Neal has taken the same approach as his predecessors by calling out players in postgame conferences, criticizing their game. Most notably, O'Neal had an awkward exchange with Donovan Mitchell earlier this season, leading to a conversation to be had if Shaq crossed the line.

Mitchell has seemingly used O'Neal's jab at him as fuel as he's putting together a career-year for the Utah Jazz thus far. While players who have been critiqued by O'Neal have used his remarks as motivation, they've also sent shots back at the former center.

With social media more present than ever, Shaq likely isn't acclimated to athletes being able to defend themselves when the media criticizes them. Taking that into account, O'Neal seems to think that players in today's league have thin skin when it comes to comments about their game.