Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, recently recounted how Tim Duncan, a legend of the San Antonio Spurs, exhibited “fearlessness” during his time on the court, serving as a reminder of his greatness even in retirement. O’Neal hosted a Super Bowl special on the podcast, which included Philadelphia Eagles Center Jason Kelce as a guest.
Co-host Adam Lefkoe prompted Kelce to discuss who intimidated him on the field, while also mentioning how O’Neal used to attempt to unsettle opponents by making intense eye contact during the national anthem or before games.
Big Shaq said:
If I look at you and you put your head down, I got you. First play of the game, I’m trying to get an offensive foul…so now you know I’m not playing. I’m coming to kill you.
When Adam Lefkoe inquired whether there was a player who ever stared back at O’Neal with “no fear,” Shaquille O’Neal responded promptly
Tim Duncan- Like I was looking at him, I’m bouncing and he’s going and I’m going (raise eyebrows) and I was like s**t!
After guiding the San Antonio Spurs to five NBA championships, Tim Duncan, hailed as the greatest player in Spurs franchise history and the greatest power forward in NBA history, retired in the summer of 2016. Despite retirement, Duncan remained a familiar presence at the Spurs’ practice facility.
In the 2019-20 season, he made a comeback to the team as an assistant coach. However, after serving in this role for 16 months, the 15-time All-Star decided to step down. Currently, it seems he is poised to return in a mentoring capacity.
Shaquille called Tim Duncan the greatest power forward
Shaquille O’Neal, proud of his dominance in the NBA, respects fellow big men, especially Tim Duncan, whom he considers the greatest power forward. He supports this claim with personal experiences, naming Hakeem Olajuwon as his toughest opponent, followed by Duncan.
Shaquille O’Neal vs Tim Duncan (via Open Source/X)In 2016, Shaq shared with ABC News:
Greatest power forward of all time. Unbreakable power forward. No [elbow] could break him. No loss of a championship could break him. Nothing could break him. You know how I played: I tried to intimidate guys and ‘bow guys, but none of that ever fazed him.
Duncan boasts five NBA championships, two NBA regular season MVP awards, three Finals MVP titles, 15 NBA All-Star selections, and the unique distinction of being chosen for the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.
Duncan is also one of the three NBA players who won the Rookie of the Year award, NBA MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, and the Wooden Award. The other two are Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.
