Why Shaquille O’Neal wants to ‘punch’ people over an Angel Reese reason

Shaquille O’Neal says Angel Reese and Lauren Betts criticism has gone too far

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, O’Neal explained why the constant criticism of Reese and Betts has started to bother him so much.

“I wish I could punch some of these guys in the face that just pick on my Angel and pick on my Lauren [Betts]. But I have to be professional,” O’Neal said.

He added, “Because enough is enough. Like, you know, the problem with your guys’ profession now is you’re letting amateurs come in, and amateurs think they have the same rights as you guys have.”

O’Neal’s wording was extreme, but the point was about frustration rather than an actual call for violence. He sees Reese and Betts as young women being picked apart by people who want reactions more than fair analysis.

With Reese, that protection is not new. O’Neal has acted as a mentor figure since her LSU days and has repeatedly defended her against criticism that he believes goes beyond basketball.

Shaquille O’Neal believes Angel Reese criticism is being used for attention

O’Neal then explained why he thinks the current media environment makes the problem worse.

“You know what I’m saying? So, you’re letting all these guys come in, and they just say stuff off the wall, and they keep going,” Shaq continued.

“And then a lot of guys, when they get off air, they want to go to their page. So, what do they do to go to their page? They’ll take a hot topic and promote it on their page to get their followers up,” he concluded.

That is the part of the criticism that seems to anger him most. O’Neal believes Reese has become a traffic-driving topic, where people attack her style, confidence or mistakes because the backlash creates engagement.

The same logic now applies to Betts, another high-profile women’s basketball star whose name brings attention whenever debate gets loud.

O’Neal is not saying Reese or Betts should be immune from criticism. His issue is with people turning them into content targets instead of covering them like athletes.

For him, defending Reese is about loyalty and respect. She is not just another player in the news cycle; she is someone he has invested in and wants protected from cheap shots.