Why Shaq Boldly Picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over Luka Doncic Right Now

Shaq explained why he’s taking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic.

Shaquille O’Neal made a bold declaration on Tuesday when he stated he’d currently pick Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. 

O’Neal heaped praise onto Gilgeous-Alexander, and when asked by Jamal Crawford to pick between him and Doncic, he settled on the Thunder guard.

“I’m gonna have to take [Gilgeous-Alexander],” said Shaq during the NBA on TNT pregame show. “This kid, he plays the right way, gets his teammates involved, and when he puts his head down and goes to the basket, no one–I’m taking him right now. He’s definitely emerged as one of my favorite players to watch. Because I like stories like this, guys that come out of nowhere and then they’re a force to be reckoned with. He’s a hell of a player right now.”

Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to improve in each of his six seasons in the league, and has surfaced as a potential MVP candidate in the 2023-24 season. The star guard is averaging 31.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and a league-best 2.3 steals per game. 

His play has more than caught the attention of O’Neal, who boldly claimed to prefer Gilgeous-Alexander to one of the NBA’s biggest superstars in Doncic, another MVP candidate. 

He’ll have the chance to see the two guards face off on Feb. 10 when the Mavericks host the Thunder, with two more games between them after that during the regular season.