In a world where Shaquille O’Neal has never been known to mince words, the NBA legend’s latest claim about WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark has, predictably, stirred up a cauldron of heated debate. Shaq has always been a guy who says it like he sees it—sometimes to his own detriment. But this time, his comparison might have sent a three-point dagger straight into the heart of the NBA’s reigning shooting king, Steph Curry.
During a lively exchange with his Inside the NBA buddy Charles Barkley—an episode that could have been ripped straight from a reality TV script—Shaq dropped a bomb that left many fans scrambling to Twitter for cover. Sitting courtside at a recent WNBA game, Shaq found himself awestruck by Caitlin Clark, who put on a shooting clinic against the Chicago Sky. Clark’s performance was so dazzling that it prompted Shaq to utter the most forbidden words in modern basketball: “She’s got that Steph Curry range.”
Now, let’s pause for a moment. Saying someone has “Steph Curry range” is like saying a new comedian has “Eddie Murphy talent”—it’s bold, it’s contentious, and it’s bound to ruffle some feathers. Yet, there was Shaq, unbothered and perhaps unknowingly stoking the fire of basketball’s most sensitive comparison game. It’s the kind of statement that makes one wonder if Shaq just enjoys watching the world burn.
Barkley vs. O’Neal: The Ultimate Sports TV Rivalry Continues
In typical fashion, Charles Barkley had his own two cents to throw into the arena. The man who never shies away from a good verbal spat insinuated that the buzz around Clark is less about talent and more about “jealousy” in the WNBA. Shaq, never one to back down, stood firm—defending both Clark and his LSU darling Angel Reese. But it was his praise for Clark that was the night’s show-stopper.
“When I saw her live…she’s making all the right plays, getting everyone involved. She’s the real deal,” Shaq said with the kind of confidence usually reserved for his rants about BBQ chicken. The Hall of Famer wasn’t done yet, stating, “She’s got that Steph Curry range.” And just like that, O’Neal managed to stir the pot hotter than a Texas chili cook-off.
Is Steph Curry Jealous? (Or Just Over It?)
For Steph Curry, hearing his name attached to yet another player with “range” must feel like déjà vu. Sure, he’s given Caitlin Clark her props in the past, acknowledging her insane shooting ability and overall game management. However, he’s also hinted at being tired of the endless comparisons, arguing that Clark is far more than just a shooter.
But does this latest Shaq-ism ruffle Curry’s feathers? Let’s be real: Curry isn’t one to lash out. He’d rather let his game do the talking. However, you can almost see him at home, scrolling through Twitter and muttering, “Can I just have one day without being compared to someone?” We get it, Steph; you’ve earned that peace.
Shaq’s Professional Jealousy: The Real MVP
What’s really behind Shaq’s sudden Caitlin Clark admiration? Simple. Professional jealousy—plain and simple. Shaq has admitted it himself, saying, “Yeah, I’m jealous. Professionally jealous. Of Steph, of Caitlin. I mean, Steph makes $60 million! Who wouldn’t be?” But the big man’s envy isn’t just about the dollars; it’s about the skills. Shaq openly concedes that Clark and Curry’s long-range bombs are the stuff of his wildest dreams.
For someone who has been at the center of so many “Hack-a-Shaq” jokes, it’s understandable why O’Neal might admire the kind of shooters who turn the free-throw line into their own personal ATM.
Barkley Throws Shade, Shaq Stays the Course
Of course, Barkley wasn’t going to let Shaq have the last word. “Petty jealousy,” he claimed, is what’s holding the WNBA back. Shaq, ever the straight shooter—ironic, given his on-court struggles—quipped back, “It’s not hate—it’s just life. You deal with it.” In Shaq’s world, jealousy is just another form of admiration. And if he’s a little green-eyed over the modern-day sharpshooters, he’s at least honest about it.
As the debate rages on and the Internet remains ablaze with hot takes, Shaq’s words have made one thing clear: Caitlin Clark is fast becoming a household name, and she’s dragging Steph Curry into the conversation with her. Whether Curry decides to respond or not, the buzz isn’t going away anytime soon. If nothing else, Shaq has once again shown his knack for stoking the flames of basketball drama. And as for Caitlin Clark? Her star just keeps getting brighter, thanks to one of the NBA’s biggest stars’ most unexpected endorsements.
