“Our biggest stars afraid of competition,” Dr. J and Shaquille O’Neal SOUND OFF on new superstars’ ego ruining age-old All-Star tradition

If a one-on-one tournament happens today, the stars would not participate, says Dr. J

“Our biggest stars afraid of competition,” Dr. J and Shaquille O’Neal SOUND OFF on new superstars’ ego ruining age-old All-Star tradition

Julius Erving and Shaquille O'Neal (Image via X)

On Wednesday, The Big Podcast with Shaq had Julius Erving also known as Dr. J, and DC Young Fly as guests. On the podcast, the two NBA legends discussed multiple topics. They talked about how Dr. J and Shaquille O’Neal met, Dr. J being out of the GOAT conversations, high-scoring records in the NBA currently, etc.

In 1992, Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a one-on-one competition. After being asked if we can bring a one-on-one competition in today’s NBA, Dr. J responded by saying that if it happens today’s top players will not participate in it. 

There's a whole bunch who won't do it. The egos are not gonna allow it.
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According to Erving, that is the reason we don’t see the best dunkers in the league in the Slam Dunk competitions. Players do not want to come 2nd or 3rd. Then the host asked Shaq why are the players afraid of losing, because if they win they will be called stars. To which he responded by saying that they are afraid of competition.

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It is a shame that our biggest stars are afraid of competition.

Last year all four players who participated in the Slam Dunk contest were the young players of the league. None of the stars participated in the tournament. According to O’Neal, the reason Mac McClung won the tournament last year is that he is not afraid of competition as he is not in the NBA yet.

Shaq was confident about Steph Curry being an All-star Reserve

On February 1st, The Inside the NBA on TNT crew revealed the 2024 All-Star Team East and Team West reserves. While announcing Team West, it was O’Neal’s turn to announce a player, before opening the envelope that contained the name of the player. Shaq said confidently that he was a psychic and the envelope probably said Stephen Curry.

Shaq was sure about Steph being an All-Star reserve
Shaquille O’Neal and Steph Curry (Image via X/CNN)

As he gave the envelope To Ernie Johnson to open, he was indeed correct. The envelope did say, Stephen Curry. This will mark Curry’s 10th All-Star appearance. And he is 8th in the league currently in scoring.

This year, Curry will come off the bench for the first time in an All-Star game. The All-Star game will be held on February 18th, Sunday, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.

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