When it comes to legendary center Shaquille O’Neal, he’s known for dominating the paint, on-point commentary, and yes, the occasional controversial hot take. This time, the Hall of Famer’s proposal to make the WNBA more “exciting” by lowering the rim for more dunks struck a nerve with one of the league’s brightest stars, Angel Reese, who wasn’t exactly buying it.
Reese, known as much for her talent as her unfiltered confidence, didn’t hold back after Shaq’s suggestion. Let’s just say his idea didn’t get the “slam dunk” approval he might have hoped for. Instead, she fired back, labeling the suggestion as yet another example of “sexist advice” women athletes don’t need.
Shaq’s Big “Fix”
Appearing on a podcast with Chi Barbie, Shaq voiced what he thought would be the ultimate “game-changer” for the WNBA. Imagine a world where the rims are lowered so that more women could dunk—a “little tweak” that would make every game, in his words, “must-see TV.” Reese wasn’t having it, snapping back with a firm, “No thanks!”
“Why is it that every time men want to ‘fix’ the women’s game, they think ‘just dunk already?’” she added with an eye-roll emoji energy. “I hate when men say that.” To Reese and her growing fanbase, Shaq’s proposal felt like yet another slap in the face to the league’s progress.
Dunk Drama and Double Standards
Reese took it further, reminding Shaq and anyone else questioning the WNBA’s entertainment value that fans tune in for more than just slam dunks. “We’re not just alley-ooping; we’re changing the game!” she quipped. Shaq, however, remained unconvinced, suggesting dunking is the missing piece of the puzzle that would help bridge the excitement gap between the WNBA and NBA.
Pretty Girls Dunking? Hard Pass
Shaq may have meant well, but it didn’t stop there. He mused aloud that, “a pretty girl dunking? I’d watch that all day!” While Reese managed a polite chuckle, her response was as swift as a fast break. “We’re here to play ball, not just to put on a show.”
With powerhouses like Reese, Caitlin Clark, and A’ja Wilson on the court, the WNBA is proving it’s more than capable of drawing viewers without rim adjustments. TV ratings and fan excitement continue to soar, and the league is standing out for its athleticism, grit, and passion.
Shaq’s well-meaning yet controversial “dunk suggestion” may end up just a funny footnote in WNBA history.