Shaquille O’Neal did what he does best off the court—speak with confidence, though this time with a dose of humility. In a recent interview on the Ausamerican Aces podcast, the Lakers legend was asked how he’d match up against Nikola Jokic in his prime. And while he kept his trademark bravado, he admitted the Serbian center is “not just another guy.”
Shaquille O’Neal, who calls himself the “President of the Big Man Alliance,” claimed that in a hypothetical playoff series against Jokic, he’d average 40 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. But he also conceded that he wouldn’t be able to stop him entirely—especially if the Nuggets ran pick and roll. “I’d have to go all in against him, then recover… he’d get off a lot of shots,” said Shaq, recognizing Jokic’s clear edge in perimeter shooting.
Revisiting his stance on Jokic
Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP and NBA champion with Denver, has redefined the modern center role. His court vision, passing ability, and tactical awareness make him a tough matchup—even for legends like Shaquille O’Neal. “He’d probably average 27 or 30 points, because he’s a great shooter,” Shaq added. According to Thesportsrush, the Hall of Famer made it clear that on defense, Nikola wouldn’t be able to contain him. “The first 10 possessions I’d go straight at him. Either he fouls me or they double. If he picks up two or three fouls, he’s on the bench.”
This statement contrasts with a previous one, when Shaquille O’Neal referred to Jokic as a “Slovenian Chicken”—a comment that was criticized for being offensive and inaccurate, since Jokic is Serbian. This time, the tone was more measured, though Shaq’s self-assurance remains intact.
A matchup that will never happen
Beyond the hypothetical clash, the exchange between generations shows how the game has evolved. Shaquille O’Neal dominated through power and post play. Nikola Jokic thrives through intelligence and perimeter versatility. Both are products of their era, and both are symbols of how basketball can reinvent itself without losing greatness.
The matchup will never happen, but the mutual respect—wrapped in playful provocation—is already part of their shared legacy. Because when Shaquille O’Neal talks about Nikola Jokic, he’s not just imagining a battle that will never take place. He’s acknowledging, in his own way, that today’s game has its own giant.
