"Shaquille O’Neal would be a more dominant version of Giannis Antetokounmpo” – Isiah Thomas on 4x champion playing in modern NBA
Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas claimed that Shaquille O’Neal was a more dominant version of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thomas was an NBA champion in 1989 and 1990, and was one of Michael Jordan's biggest rivals. He played until the 1993-94 season, which was also Shaquille O’Neal’s sophomore year. O’Neal finished with 29.3 points, 13.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists that season, as a 21-year old NBA star.
Giannis, on the other hand, has already achieved a brilliant feat in leading the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title. However, he has quite a way to go before his numbers and achievements can be compared to some of the all-time greats, including Shaquille O’Neal.
SportsCenter posted a tweet asking users about the kind of numbers Shaquille O’Neal would come up with, in today’s NBA.
Isiah Thomas responded by claiming that O’Neal would have been a dominant version of Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite the change in landscape since O’Neal last played:
“I’ve said this before, @shaq would be a more dominant version of @Giannis.”
Shaquille O’Neal tipped to dominate the NBA in current landscape
Standing at 7-foot-1 and weighing 325 pounds, Shaq was one of the largest players in the NBA. He used his size to his advantage, overpowering his opponents in the paint and grabbing rebounds with ease.
But he was more than just a big man; he was also incredibly athletic. In his younger days, he ran the floor like a North American bison, consistently beating his man down the court.
His dominance on the court led to a long list of accolades throughout his 19-year career in the NBA. He won four NBA titles and was named Finals MVP three times. He was also named the league's MVP in 1999-2000 and won the Rookie of the Year award in 1992-93.
Despite his success, Shaq is known for his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor. He is one of the most beloved players in the league. He became an icon both on and off the court, appearing in movies and television shows and also being a noted philanthropist.
There is little doubt that, as Isiah Thomas claimed, Shaquille O’Neal would have been a force to reckon with, even in today’s NBA. Whether he would be more dominant than Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo is a matter of pure speculation.