In the world of big personalities and bigger opinions, Shaquille O’Neal seems to have cornered the market on both. The NBA Hall-of-Famer, known for his larger-than-life charm, took a detour down Awkward Avenue on Angel Reese’s podcast, where he managed to spark backlash, not once, but twice. Fans weren’t just left scratching their heads—they were ready to dunk Shaq himself.
The controversy kicked off with Shaq’s “solution” for boosting WNBA viewership: lowering the rims. Yes, his idea to make the game “dunk-friendly” was pitched as if it were the magical fix for all the league’s woes. “Just a little bit lower, not 9 feet or anything,” he said, comparing it to the difference in net height in women’s volleyball. But Angel Reese wasn’t buying it. The LSU star shot back, “Just so we can dunk? No. I hate when men say that.” Point taken, Shaq.
But wait, there’s more. As if his rim-dropping suggestion hadn’t gone over like a lead balloon, Shaq doubled down with an “extra spicy” comment about Reese’s outfit. Referring to her outfit at a recent Wild ‘N Out show, Shaq suggested she’d sell T-shirts “dunking in those same little shorts.” Insert facepalm here. Fans didn’t just cringe—they exploded on social media, branding Shaq’s comment as “creepy,” “inappropriate,” and downright “disrespectful.” Comments piled up across Twitter and Instagram, with one user saying, “Shaq, the world is in 2024. Please catch up.”
Outdated and Off-Court Commentary
It’s the same tune women in sports have heard for decades—comments that veer from skill to skirts in a heartbeat. Shaq’s words struck a nerve, reducing Reese’s prowess on the court to how she’d look dunking in “those little shorts.” Male athletes are celebrated for their stats, yet here was Shaq suggesting that the WNBA could “spice things up” with a wardrobe remix. One disappointed fan aptly put it, “Shaq’s a legend, but let’s focus on talent, not the shorts.”
The Backlash: “Focus on the Talent!”
Fans pointed out that Shaq’s comments underscored a tired narrative that female athletes are here to entertain rather than excel. “The WNBA is already exciting without a makeover,” posted one Instagram user, while another said, “Do you think we tune in for fashion tips, Shaq?” Reese’s swift clap-back may have represented more than her personal views—it was a reminder of the struggle for respect that women athletes still face.
But beyond the immediate uproar, Shaq’s words tapped into a broader issue: the constant struggle of female athletes to be valued for their talent, not their outfits. Let’s be clear—the WNBA isn’t looking to be the NBA’s “little sister.” It’s carving its own space, with athletes whose skill and passion stand out, without any need for rim adjustments or fashion critiques.
Bigger Than Shaq: The Call for Respect
Shaq’s rim suggestion might’ve had good intentions, but it’s his follow-up that will live in infamy. As fans have pointed out, these comments feel like a step back, dragging us into outdated thinking. Female athletes work just as hard as their male counterparts, yet the conversation always seems to drift to “watchability” or wardrobe, instead of wins, stats, and achievements.
The WNBA has seen significant strides in viewership and respect in recent years. As Shaq might now realize, there’s a time and place for constructive critique, but tone-deaf comments are best left in the past. So next time, maybe Shaq will stick to admiring the athletes’ slam dunks instead of suggesting they change the size of their hoops—or their shorts.