Shaquille O’Neal Warns Knicks Opponents on Facing Karl-Anthony Towns: “The Tiger or The Cat?”

Shaquille O'Neal continues to show his concerns about Karl-Anthony Towns' performances.

Shaquille O’Neal Warns Knicks Opponents on Facing Karl-Anthony Towns: “The Tiger or The Cat?”

Shaquille O'Neal on Karl-Anthony Towns (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Shaquille O'Neal expressed concerns about Karl-Anthony Towns' inconsistent performances ahead of the postseason.
  • Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds this season, marking his lowest scoring output since his rookie year.
  • Former NBA player Jeff Teague believes Towns needs to be traded out of New York for his career to progress.

Karl-Anthony Towns did not have the best of 2025-26 campaigns by his standards. Playing second fiddle to Jalen Brunson, Towns has often been criticized for his inconsistent performances for the New York Knicks.

Former NBA champion and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal shared his concerns about Towns heading into the postseason on his podcast.

You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don’t know which KAT imma get. Am I going to get a tiger or am I going to get a p*ssy cat? Seriously, sometime he plays phenomenal and other times he’s no where to be found. If he plays like I know he can play, imma go with the Knicks but he hasn’t showed me that in the last couple years.

Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast

Shaquille O’Neal is known for being old-school. He is often heard calling the younger generation of players too soft for his liking. The four-time champion has been critical of Karl-Anthony Towns in the past.

A couple of months ago, O’Neal had an awkward moment with Towns on ESPN. The Lakers legend was unhappy with the Knicks’ center’s response to his challenge and expected more from him.

Towns has had his ups and downs this year. He is averaging 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and three assists in 75 appearances this season. It is his lowest-scoring season since his rookie year.

The Knicks explored a potential blockbuster move for Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline and there were rumors that they were looking to add Towns in their trade package. In the end, the move did not materialize, and it allowed Towns to continue his tenure in New York.

Karl-Anthony Towns needs to get traded out of New York

This is Karl-Anthony Towns’ second season in New York. He was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a three-team trade. In his first season, the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Indiana Pacers. Hence, many expected the Knicks to be the favorites this year; however, Towns has not been at his very best.

Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns (Image via Athlon Sports)

Former NBA champion Jeff Teague believes Towns needs to get traded out of New York:

I got to get the fu*k out of here. KAT out of here. I love that for you KAT, yeah. Put your foot down, man. Thibodeau should have never left. Y’all started that bullsh*t with Thibodeau.

Jeff Teague on Club 520 Podcast

Under coach Tom Thibodeau, it looked like Towns was finally carving out his place among the league’s most elite big men. But after the arrival of Mike Brown, it has completely changed for the 30-year-old.

Karl-Anthony Towns and other starters are ruled out for the regular-season finale

If New York truly harbors championship ambitions, they need Karl-Anthony Towns to be firing on all cylinders. With the Knicks sealing their third spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 53-38 record, the final game of the regular season is of little significance.

Hence, the Knicks have announced that OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns are out for tomorrow’s regular-season finale against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Knicks will want their starters fit and healthy when the playoffs begin. They will be facing either the Toronto Raptors or the Orlando Magic in the first round. The Knicks have all the talent in the world to make a deep playoff run this year.

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