Shaquille O'Neal, the iconic former NBA star, recently shared his insights on the evolving role of big men in today's game. Known for his candid opinions, O'Neal appeared on the show “Unsportsmanship” to discuss the current state of NBA centers.
When asked about the resurgence of the traditional big man, O'Neal was quick to challenge the notion. He argued that only Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs truly fit the mold of what he considers a "big man."
“Stop it, the big man is not back,” O'Neal declared. “Just being seven-foot and shooting jumpers doesn’t make you a big man.
Jokic and Wemby are the exceptions. I remember when every team had a true center.
Now, it’s more about players running around, picking, and popping.”
O'Neal highlighted the shift in strategy for many of today’s centers, who now focus on mid-range and three-point shooting rather than dominating the paint. When asked if a player with his skill set could still lead a team to a championship, O'Neal emphasized the importance of smart play and high-percentage shots.
“It’s about playing the percentages,” he explained. “If I’m seven foot, 300 pounds, and stronger than everyone else, I want to take the high-percentage shot.
"The big man is not back... because nobody post up. Just because you're seven-foot and shooting jumpers that does not make you a big man. [Nikola Jokic] is the only guy that I would consider big man, and Wemby."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026
—Shaq
(via @UnSportsESPN)pic.twitter.com/mirpPrKSH3
It’s about using my strength to put the opposing team in a tough spot. If I’m seven-five, I’m not settling for jumpers over guys who are six-one, six-two.”
As the NBA continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the role of big men changes in the coming years.