Shaq says Tim Duncan is not a 'big man'

Shaq says Tim Duncan is not a 'big man'

Now that Tim Duncan has retired, it's time for analysts and basketball minds to discuss his legacy and all-time ranking. In the recent days, people have called Duncan one of the best big men to ever play the game, but Shaquille O'Neal says hold on a minute.

Speaking on his podcast, "The Big Podcast With Shaq," the retired 7-1 center says the 6-11 Duncan isn't a "big man" because he played mostly as a power forward. He was asked about Duncan being ranked as a top five player all-time, and said his main problem was how they were labeling him.

"I only have one beef with how they're throwing this around," O'Neal said. "They're saying he's one of the greatest big men. Do you count power forwards as big men? Because I don't.

"I was always taught that the big man was a center. I know we got new rules and they don't have the center spot no more, but no."

I'd say that's some classic Shaq ego and childishness. Sure, he's entitled to his opinion the same as anyone else, and his probably does carry a bit more weight because he himself is one of the all-time great bigs (and for that matter, players) in the history of the sport. But I think by most people's definition, power forwards that are up around the seven foot mark count as big men, because they are still among the biggest players on the floor.

Boo hoo, Shaq's ego is hurt again. What a baby

I always thought big men were either PFs or Cs. Starting too think what shaq meant was "big" men like him. belly-wise.

shaq has constantly proven himself to be an egotistical asshole

At the same time, he also comes across as being pretty insecure. He's obviously still an all-time great, and he's also still one of the game's more fun personalities. However, when he gets like that, it's pretty cringe-worthy.

Shaq acting a fool again.

it other news chris paul is not a point guard and keith van horn is not white

Which as we all know, is No true Scotsman at the end of the day.

I think Shaq intentionally likes to stroke his ego like this.

crack is wack shaq

Well, Shaq may not consider Duncan to be a big man, but here's a good piece noting that Duncan was one of the last of his kind: a big man with a strong post game that a championship team was (at one point) built around.

Also a reflection on the way the game has changed in general.

I really hope Embiid has a good career. I think Anthony Davis & Andre Drummond are also stellar big guys who might be able to change the game in the coming years.

Or at least I hope so.

With all the threes he's been taking, Davis could turn out to be a hybrid of the new and the old style of big man.