The landscape of the NBA has changed over the past several years, with superstar players going to greater lengths than ever to team up one another and build so-called superteams. Like many others from his era, Shaquille O’Neal says he would never want to be a part of something like that.
Shaq has spoken out against superteams in the past, and he addressed the topic once again in an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” this week. He said he would rather beat other star players than join them.
.@SHAQ on superteams today: “I’m from the era where guys wanted to compete and beat each other … I’d go on the team that needs a superstar and teach them guys how to beat the ‘superteams.’”
(via @JimmyKimmel) pic.twitter.com/25NxcmwWrM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 17, 2019
Of course, many fans will argue that Shaq played for superteams while winning four NBA titles. He and Kobe Bryant were one of the most dynamic duos in basketball history, and he later joined up with Dwyane Wade to help lead the Miami Heat to a championship. However, those teams came together a lot differently from the way many of today’s superteams do.
Shaq is not the only star player from his era to condemn superteams, but many of those who criticize them will tell you winning championships is all that matters. If LeBron James thinks he needs Anthony Davis to win another title, you can’t blame him for doing everything he can to help bring him to Los Angeles.
