Remember when Charles Barkley said a jump-shooting team like the Golden State Warriors would never win a championship? Of course, that take did not age well, and the Warriors ended up winning multiple titles.
Now, Shaquille O’Neal, ironically from Barkley’s circle, is stepping up to give us his own version of that statement—but this time it’s about San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.
It’s no secret that Wembanyama isn’t cut from the Shaq mold of big men. Rather than relying on banging down low, Wembanyama is out there on the perimeter, using his shooting to make mismatches and break down opposing defenses.
This style doesn’t sit well with Shaq, who grew up seeing big men live inside the paint. While big men stretching their range isn’t new, Wembanyama’s ability to do so at 7-foot-4 has drawn plenty of attention, not just for the volume but for how effortlessly he moves into his shot. Still, Shaq remains unconvinced, saying Wembanyama won’t be dominant if he keeps shooting jumpers.
“Victor Wembanyama is a great player. But I don’t really think you can be dominant when you shoot jumpers a lot. I think if he was an inside player at 7’5, the answer would be yes. But when you shoot jumpers you’re always going to go up & down.”
