Shaq’s Slam Dunk Warning: What He’d Do to Wembanyama and Holmgren in His Prime
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal never shies away from speaking his mind—and when it comes to the league’s new wave of unicorn big men, he’s not holding back. In a recent candid interview, the four-time NBA champion revealed exactly what he thinks of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren—and what would happen if they had to face prime Shaq on the court.
“Let’s be real,” Shaq said with a chuckle. “Those kids are talented, no doubt. But if I was in my prime, I’d bring the pain. I’d put them in the basket. Every. Single. Time.”
O’Neal’s comments, though bold, reflect his old-school mindset. He comes from an era where dominant centers like Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, and David Robinson ruled the paint with physicality and brute force. Today’s centers—slender, skilled, and more perimeter-oriented—are a far cry from the back-to-the-basket bruisers of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Wembanyama, the 7’4” French phenom playing for the San Antonio Spurs, has taken the league by storm with his otherworldly length, shot-blocking, and three-point range. Holmgren, Oklahoma City’s 7’1” rising star, brings a similarly unique blend of finesse, agility, and defensive instincts. Both have drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo—but for Shaq, the comparison stops at talent.
“I would have made them stronger,” he said. “They’d need to bulk up just to survive me. I’m not being disrespectful—just telling the truth. In my day, it was a grown man’s game.”
Still, O’Neal acknowledged their potential, noting that he enjoys watching them evolve in today’s game. “They’ve got skills I didn’t have. I give them credit for that,” he admitted. “But the physicality? The paint dominance? That was my world.”
Fans on social media had mixed reactions. Some sided with Shaq, arguing that his sheer power would overwhelm any modern big man. Others felt he was underestimating just how much the game—and its athletes—have changed.
Regardless, Shaq’s message was clear: respect the new generation, but don’t forget the legends who paved the way. Wembanyama and Holmgren might be redefining the center position, but in Shaq’s eyes, there’s still only one “Most Dominant Ever.”
And if he had the chance to go head-to-head with them in their primes?
“Let’s just say,” Shaq smirked, “they’d be learning the hard way.”
