When Shaquille O’Neal speaks, basketball fans listen — even if the message leaves them scratching their heads. This time, the Diesel’s latest hot take involves lowering WNBA rims to boost dunking, excite fans, and (according to his math) deliver a cool $300 million payday for WNBA stars. Unfortunately for Shaq, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson isn’t buying it.
Shaq’s Slam Dunk Pitch
During an appearance on Angel Reese’s podcast Unapologetically Angel, Shaq pitched his idea using NCAA phenom Caitlin Clark as Exhibit A. Clark has already won over fans with her Steph Curry-esque shooting range. Shaq, however, thinks dunking is the missing ingredient for other players — particularly bigger ones — to truly electrify the audience.
But there’s a hitch: not many WNBA players are throwing down thunderous slams with the rim sitting at the standard 10 feet. To Shaq, the solution is obvious. Lower the rim, make the dunks more frequent, and voilà — instant cash flow!
A’ja Wilson’s Rebuttal: Leave the Rim Alone
Enter A’ja Wilson, reigning three-time MVP and resident queen of dunk denial. Appearing on The Roommate’s Show, Wilson dismissed Shaq’s and Knicks star Jalen Brunson’s shared pitch faster than she swats a shot in the paint.
“I’d rather max out my vertical in the offseason,” Wilson said, clearly unimpressed. “Lowering the rim an inch? That could change all of our shots. Do y’all not understand that?”
Touché, A’ja. After all, muscle memory doesn’t come with a reset button, and tweaking the rim height could lead to chaos for shooting mechanics.
Shaq’s Instagram Comeback: “$300M or Nah?”
Not one to back down, Shaq clapped back on Instagram, casually tossing out financial figures that make Monopoly money look serious.
“60% of the fans said dunking is their favorite thing,” Shaq wrote. “The WNBA has none of that. So they make much less money. Just trying to get you that $300 million you deserve, @aja22wilson. #shaqwbnacommissioner. Love y’all @WNBA.”
Big Shaq clearly has a vision, even if it involves some questionable calculations. But Wilson seems determined to keep her dunks rare and her jumper reliable, rim adjustments be damned.
Dunking, Dollars, and the WNBA’s Rising Stars
The WNBA has often been unfairly compared to the NBA, particularly for its lack of high-flying dunks. Yet, players like Caitlin Clark are redefining what’s possible in women’s basketball, lighting it up from deep and drawing comparisons to NBA legends.
Wilson, however, made it clear that lowering rims won’t be the silver bullet to save the WNBA’s bank account. Besides, why fix what isn’t broken? Players have been training with 10-foot rims their entire lives, and adjusting that could throw everything off — from jump shots to layups.
A Grueling Grind: Wilson on the Toughest Schedule in Sports
Speaking of challenges, Wilson also pointed out just how grueling the WNBA schedule is. Between the draft, training camps, and preseason games, there’s little room to breathe — let alone consider gimmicks like lowered rims.
For Wilson, last year was especially brutal. The Aces had six players juggling Olympic commitments, leaving little time to recharge. While other teams could sip margaritas on the beach, the Aces were slogging through drills.
So, What’s Next?
Shaq’s rim-lowering crusade may not gain traction, but it does raise questions about how to boost the WNBA’s popularity. Dunking might draw eyeballs, but stars like Wilson and Clark have already proven that elite shooting and all-around skills are equally thrilling.
For now, A’ja Wilson’s approach remains simple: keep the rim where it is, train harder, and let the game speak for itself. As for Shaq, well, maybe he can save his $300 million ideas for another day.
Final Take: Rim’s Still 10 Feet — And A’ja’s Not Budging
At the end of the day, lowering the rim might sound like a slam dunk idea to some, but for A’ja Wilson, it’s an airball. And if there’s one thing we know about Wilson, she doesn’t miss.
