Shaquille O’Neal Shockingly Disses Victor Wembanyama’s Juggernaut Performance on First ESPN Show

Victor Wembanyama worked all offseason to improve his mental space and his skills before returning to the NBA after a health scare last season.

Shaquille O’Neal Shockingly Disses Victor Wembanyama’s Juggernaut Performance on First ESPN Show

Victor Wembanyama and Shaquille O'Neal (Image via FirstSportz)

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Last year, Victor Wembanyama could not fulfil the promise he made after losing to Team USA in the Paris Olympics finals, after a health scare saw him end his season early.

After recovering from his deep vein thrombosis, the French superstar returned to work on his health, his mental space, as well as his basketball skills. He was determined to keep his promise.

The San Antonio Spurs traveled to Dallas to take on the Mavericks, and it was a close contest in the 1st quarter. From the 2nd session onwards, the 21-year-old decided to take over.

He toyed with the likes of Anthony Davis, who is no slouch of a defender himself, Derek Lively, rookie Cooper Flagg, and anyone that the Mavericks threw at him.

Be it spinning away and throwing down a monster dunk, or elevating to create space and score from mid-range. Or when he decided he was going to do it all by blocking a shot first, and then drawing Lively to foul him on a step back three, Wembanyama was having fun.

His performance was dominating, and left the home team reeling to accept a 33-point loss. Everyone was in awe of the center’s style of play, except maybe one other former center.

I’m not known for defense. But you know what I’m known for eating? French fries and French toast.

Shaquille O’Neal said

This was the Hall of Famer’s response when his Inside the NBA crew was trolling him for not having the quickness to be able to defend Victor Wembanyama even in his prime.

It seems Shaquille O’Neal was ticked off by their taunts of the Spurs center possibly dominating him with his array of skills, agility, and length. That is what left him to defend his space on their first show on ESPN.

Jason Kidd had high praise for Victor Wembanyama before the game

Ahead of the game, there was not much buzz around Victor Wembanyama as an individual player. Rather, it was about the San Antonio Spurs and the roster they built around him.

Victor Wembanyama decimated the Dallas Mavericks
Victor Wembanyama decimated the Dallas Mavericks (Image via Greg Riddle/X)

Despite that, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd had the right words to define how scary a proposition the Paris Olympics silver medalist is.

He is different. Defensively, you’ve got to account for him. He can be guarding someone and still block a jump shot. He’s always coming to change shots. Offensively, he can handle at 7, whatever he wants to be listed at. His ability to play the point center, point forward, point guard, … his skill set is special.

Jason Kidd said before the game

It seems the Hall of Fame point guard and NBA champion knew Wembanyama would be a handful. His words ended up becoming true as the Spurs center decimated his team in front of their home fans.

Shaquille O’Neal had criticism for another center

Shaquille O’Neal seems to be making it a habit of dissing current generation centers. Whether it is 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama, after the juggernaut of a performance he had, the 4-time champion’s tune has stayed the same.

At the same time, he does not stop from criticizing underperforming centers. As the self-nominated President of the Big Man Alliance, the Diesel said this when recapping the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening night game.

Listen Deandre (Ayton). That performance you had yesterday, (gives him a thumbs down). I need you to step it up, my boy. You’ve got to do 3 things. You’ve got to rebound, you’ve got to block shots, and you’ve got to dominate. We need you to step up.

Shaquille O’Neal said on Inside the NBA

The former league MVP was speaking on behalf of the Lakers fans. O’Neal believes that unless Deandre Ayton steps up, his former team is not going to get anywhere near championship capability.

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