“Have you lost your damn mind?” Stephen A. Smith goes CRAZY After Mad Dog outrageously claims Shaquille O’Neal is only the 5th best center in NBA history

Mad Dog puts Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan and Moses Malone over Shaquille O'Neal on ESPN's First Take

“Have you lost your damn mind?” Stephen A. Smith goes CRAZY After Mad Dog outrageously claims Shaquille O’Neal is only the 5th best center in NBA history

Stephen A. Smith losing it when Russo claims Moses Malone is better than Shaquille O' Neal (First Take)

In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, the NBA world was shocked as co-host Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo made a bold claim. He ranked Shaquille O’Neal as only the fifth-best center in NBA history. This statement immediately drew a fiery response from fellow co-host Stephen A. Smith. Smith was visibly stunned by Russo’s ranking.

The debate initially focused on Stephen Curry’s place in the GOAT conversation. However, it took a sharp turn when Russo claimed that Shaq was only the fifth-greatest center in NBA history. This assertion led to a heated exchange, with Smith and Jay Williams challenging Russo’s perspective. They emphasized O’Neal’s dominance and impact on the game.

YouTube video

Ridiculing Shaquille O’Neal’s take on Stephen Curry entering the G.O.A.T. conversation, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo had this to say on First Take:

FS Video
First off, we gotta hear Shaq now do this. Shaq is what, the 5th best center in the history of the NBA? Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]... Wilt [Chamberlain]... Tim Duncan's better. [Hakeem] Olajuwon is better... He's not better than Moses Malone.
Mad Dog via ESPN First Take

Smith could not believe what he heard, and he retorted:

Have you lost your damn mind?
Stephen A. Smith to Mad Dog

These ridiculous comparisons were met with hilarious and justified reactions from his co-hosts. While Stephen A. Smith acknowledged that Moses Malone was an excellent center, he asserted that Malone was no Shaq. On the other hand, Jay Williams immediately started praying to God to help Chris.

Smith, known for his passionate and articulate sports analyses, couldn’t hold back his disbelief. He pointed out Shaq’s four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, and his sheer dominance during his career. Jay Williams backed up Smith, who also expressed his astonishment at Russo’s take.

The take that started it all: Shaquille O’Neal thinks Steph Curry should be in the G.O.A.T conversation

The fiery debate on First Take was initially sparked by Shaquille O’Neal’s recent comments on Steph Curry. Shaq, a legendary figure in basketball himself, suggested that Curry should be included in the GOAT conversation.

Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry
Shaq claims it’s time to put Steph Curry in the GOAT conversation after years of consistently amazing results (AP)

O’Neal endorsed Curry after the Golden State Warriors star’s game-winning three-pointer against the Boston Celtics. While not dismissing the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaq argued for Curry’s inclusion due to his unparalleled shooting skills and significant impact on the game.

This perspective from Shaq adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the greatest players in NBA history. Curry’s revolutionary play style and achievements have certainly reshaped the landscape of modern basketball, making his case for GOAT status increasingly compelling.

In Case You Missed: