Victor Wembanyama Takes Aim At Shaquille O'Neal, Calling Him One Of His Least Favorite Journalists Ever

Victor Wembanyama may have respect for Shaquille O’Neal the player, but when it comes to Shaquille O’Neal the commentator, the young Spurs star isn’t holding back.

In a sharp yet measured response on Cold As Balls with Kevin Hart, Wembanyama was asked to address legends like Shaq, who have repeatedly called today’s NBA “soft.” Wemby, who represents the vanguard of the modern NBA big man, chose his words carefully but made his feelings crystal clear.

“Shaq has always been one of my favorite players. But one of the journalists I like the least.”

It was a jab delivered with French elegance—direct, unapologetic, and rooted in a growing generational tension. Wembanyama’s critique wasn’t about O’Neal’s playing career, which remains legendary. 

Rather, it was about the tone and nature of Shaq’s constant commentary on the state of the league, a brand of criticism that, to many young players, feels outdated, unfair, and at times unnecessarily personal.

The remark drew immediate buzz at Fanatics Fest 2025 in New York, where Wembanyama made multiple appearances, including on The Shop with LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kai Cenat. 

But it was his moment with Kevin Hart that struck a chord, especially with those who have watched Shaq regularly belittle the newer generation of big men.

Shaq’s critiques are well-known. Whether it's Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert, or Dwight Howard, O’Neal has made a habit of targeting modern centers for not living up to the physicality or dominance he brought to the game. 

Most recently, he dismissed Wembanyama’s historic rookie campaign by claiming the French phenom shoots too many jumpers.

But Wembanyama isn’t just tall, he’s redefining what a 7-foot-4 basketball player can do. He can run the fast break, shoot from three, block five shots in a game, and switch onto guards with shocking grace. His game is rooted in versatility and creativity, not brute force. And that’s precisely what frustrates old-school thinkers like Shaq.

What’s fascinating is that despite the sting in his words, Wembanyama still includes Shaq in his all-time starting five. Alongside Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tim Duncan, Shaq holds a place in Wemby’s ultimate lineup. 

That duality, deep respect for the player, disappointment in the pundit, adds layers to Wembanyama’s comments.

And he’s not alone. Players like LeBron James, Ja Morant, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gobert have all pushed back against the narrative that the modern game lacks toughness. 

The NBA has evolved, with less hand-checking, more pace and space, and a new definition of physicality. For players like Wembanyama, toughness is about availability, adaptability, and mental fortitude, not just hard fouls in the post.

Still, Wembanyama’s ability to call out Shaq without descending into personal insult is a credit to his maturity. Even as he holds strong opinions, he maintains respect. In the same interview, he also praised Kevin Durant, his idol growing up, and revealed he’s been studying the mindset and habits of legends like LeBron and Nikola Jokic to craft his own legacy.

This isn’t a feud in the traditional sense. It’s a challenge. A new generation is asking the previous one to evolve with the times or at least to stop tearing down players who are rewriting the rules of what greatness looks like.

Shaq, never one to stay silent, will likely respond in some fashion. But Wembanyama’s message is clear: The NBA is in good hands. They may be softer to Shaq, but they’re sharper, more skillful, and just as hungry to dominate.

Victor Wembanyama isn’t here to emulate the past. He’s here to create the future, and he won’t let outdated opinions from the broadcast booth define his narrative.