Shaquille O'Neal has played a major role within the NBA for over 30 years, building one of the most decorated resumes of all time as a player and later becoming a well-liked TV personality during his tenure with the "NBA on TNT" cast.
In his 19-year playing career, O'Neal won four championships, an MVP Award, and sits among the top ten all-time scoring leaders.
Since stepping off the court, he's begun hosting "The Big Podcast " alongside his "NBA on TNT" partner Adam Lefkoe. On Thursday’s episode, Lefkoe claimed Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s resume is enough for a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction, right now, and Shaq didn’t hold back.
When talking to Lefkoe, Shaq said, "You (expletive) just throwing people in there now," clearly thinking Tatum's resume is not worthy.
“You ever see that movie 'Ocean’s Thirteen?' I’m going to break into the Hall of Fame and take all of my (expletive) out,” O'Neal said. You (expletive) just throwing people in there now."
Shaq went on to say he thinks there are two types of Hall of Fames: a "bad" one and a "basketball" one.
"Isiah Thomas said it the best one day, he said there’s two Hall of Fames," Shaq added. "There’s a bad (expletive) Hall of Fame and there’s a basketball Hall of Fame."
Shaq on if Jayson Tatum is already a Hall of Famer:
“Motherf*****s just throwing people in [the Hall of Fame] now…”
Our new episode ft. Brandon Jennings is LIVE: https://t.co/FTAqrkoEN2 pic.twitter.com/2QWjbB4zDM— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 5, 2025
At only 27 years of age, Tatum has racked up six All-Star appearances, five All-NBA selections and an NBA championship. With high expectations joining a legendary organization like the Celtics, the 2017 third-overall pick had all the pressure in the world to perform.
According to Shaq, these accolades, combined with career averages of 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game (via ESPN), may not be enough to make it into the Hall of Fame right now, but he didn't rule it out when it's all said and done.
