Fansided

Shaquille O’Neal sees a familiar winning formula in Milwaukee

By Mark Carman

Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Shaquille O’Neal believes he and Giannis Antetokounmpo have something in common. Neither was the “best player” on their team.

“Stop it. Stop it. Don’t do that,” Shaquille O’Neal cut me off.

I had just asked Shaq if there was any comparison to be between the way Shaq and Kobe Bryant partnered together to win championships to how Milwaukee‘s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are attacking the playoffs.

Shaq did not want the way he played the game to be in any way to be compared to the way that Antetokounmpo hoops.

“Once Giannis decided to bring the ball up and do all that guard stuff he is no longer with us. Y’all can have him. Guard,” Shaq told FanSided in borderline disgust.

But Shaq did agree there was at least one comparison that could be made. Giannis, like Shaq, needs help closing out games.

“Giannis is not the best player on the team. Khris Middleton is. But when it comes to dominating games you need Giannis to dominate the game so Khris can get open.”

Shaq likes what he sees from Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks right now

If that sounds like criticism, that is not Shaq’s intent. There is a fair comparison to be made in their ideal roles on a championship-caliber team.

“I wasn’t the best player on my team,” Shaq told FanSided. “I was the most dominant. Kobe was the best. When I played with Orlando, Penny (Hardaway) was the best. When I played in Miami, D-Wade (Dwayne Wade) was the best player on the team.”

Middleton played like the best player on the court in the Bucks’ crucial Game 3 win over Atlanta to move them two wins from the NBA Finals. Middleton poured in 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting in the fourth, including four 3-pointers.

Meanwhile, Giannis following the Shaq formula in helping the Bucks dominate the paint. Through the first three games, Milwaukee has outscored Atlanta 188-118 around the basket. The Bucks looked primed to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. That is not the ideal matchup Shaq would like to see.

“I would like to see an underdog win it,” Shaq said. “All the juggernauts are gone. In a perfect world, I would like to see Atlanta and Phoenix going at it.”

Shaq is continuing his long-standing partnership with The General who just partnered with NRG Esports Rocket League team, the first Rocket League naming rights agreement in the history of North America.

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