Shaq admits he used to hate Luka Doncic– then saw him live

Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend, a antheral who is hard to impress, precocious openly admitted however overmuch helium was amazed by the young Slovenian Luka Dončić erstwhile helium saw him successful person. With 4 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVP trophies, and 1 league MVP award, Shaq has seen astir everyone connected the tribunal – helium has played against Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. So it was not casual to astonishment this 215 cm giant.

When Dončić came to the NBA arsenic the 3rd prime successful the 2018 draft, Shaq was skeptical. The young Slovenian was declared a hoops prodigy aft signing with Real Madrid astatine conscionable 13 years old. Shaq was not impressed by the hype – helium argued that Luka had to beryllium his worthy connected the NBA court. However, arsenic Shaq says, everything changed erstwhile helium saw him successful person.

“I hated Luka for a agelong time. And past I saw him play successful person,” O’Neal admitted. “I cognize he’s truly that good, but however travel radical can’t halt him? He’s not that fast. He doesn’t person a batch of power, but helium breaks everything. He kills.”

Shaq was confused

O’Neal was confused – Dončić doesn’t person utmost speed, his vertical leap is average, and his spot is limited. But what Luka has is that “X factor” – thing that separates legends from mean All-Stars. Just watching Dončić make plays, work opponents and power the tempo made Shaq admit and respect him.

“Remember, I’ve played with immoderate of the greatest, truthful there’s not a batch of caller things you tin do. If you bash it consistently and well, past I’ll springiness you kudos,” O’Neal added.

For O’Neal, who has seen apical players and the top talents his full career, Dončić’s endowment is special. What sets him isolated is his quality connected the court, his consciousness of the crippled and his quality to bash miracles adjacent wherever you slightest expect them. Shaq, idiosyncratic who was skeptical, present openly admits that Dončić has go 1 of the fewer who tin truly astonishment him.