Shaquille O’Neal’s Comments on the Warriors
O’Neal’s comments about the Warriors were made during the 2020-2021 season, when the franchise was facing significant adversity. The team was recovering from an injury-riddled 2019-2020 campaign that saw them finish with the worst record in the league, and the future seemed uncertain. With Klay Thompson missing another full season due to an Achilles injury and Draymond Green’s role evolving away from his earlier peak years, O’Neal was skeptical about the Warriors’ ability to return to championship contention.
During various broadcasts, O’Neal expressed his doubts, focusing on Thompson’s extended absence and the uncertainty surrounding Curry’s ability to lead the team alone, especially as he entered his 30s. O’Neal, who had built his career as a physical force in the paint, questioned the longevity of a team built around three-point shooting and the small-ball system that the Warriors had made famous. He suggested that the Warriors’ success, especially their championship runs in 2015, 2017, and 2018, could be chalked up to a perfect combination of circumstances — one that wouldn’t be sustainable without all of their stars healthy and playing at their best.
In essence, O’Neal believed that the Warriors’ style of play, reliant on three-point shooting and fast-paced offense, was a “fad” that would eventually be figured out by other teams. He also questioned whether Curry, despite his legendary status, could continue to carry a team to a title without the supporting cast that had been in place during the Warriors’ prime years.
The Warriors’ Resurgence in 2022
Despite the skepticism surrounding their future, the Warriors proved Shaquille O’Neal wrong in emphatic fashion. In 2022, the Golden State Warriors not only returned to the NBA Finals but captured their fourth title in eight years, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Several factors contributed to the Warriors’ success, and O’Neal’s doubts were quickly proven misplaced.
1. Stephen Curry’s Continued Excellence
A major component of the Warriors’ resurgence was the continued brilliance of Stephen Curry. O’Neal had questioned whether Curry could continue to lead a team to a title on his own, but Curry’s performance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs defied any such concerns. Curry was named the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career, and his impact on the Warriors’ championship run was undeniable. He averaged 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in the Finals, while shooting 48.2% from the field and 43.7% from beyond the arc.
Despite being in his mid-30s, Curry demonstrated that age had not diminished his abilities as the best shooter in the world. His skill set — a combination of incredible ball-handling, sharp shooting, and leadership — allowed the Warriors to continue thriving in their system. Curry’s ability to stretch the floor and break down defenses remained a central aspect of the Warriors’ success. O’Neal, who had questioned whether Curry could continue to lead, was proven wrong by Curry’s continued dominance and ability to elevate his game in the most critical moments.
2. Klay Thompson’s Return to Form
Another key development that proved O’Neal wrong was the return of Klay Thompson in 2022. After suffering two significant injuries — an Achilles rupture and an ACL tear — Thompson made his long-awaited return to the court midway through the 2021-2022 season. His return provided a much-needed boost to the Warriors’ offense, giving them one of the best shooting backcourts in NBA history once again.
Thompson’s defensive prowess and his ability to hit clutch shots on the perimeter were instrumental in the Warriors’ success during the postseason. While he wasn’t quite at his pre-injury level at the start of the 2022 campaign, by the time the playoffs arrived, Thompson had regained much of his old form. His contributions, especially in the Finals, were vital to the Warriors’ championship run, and his return to the lineup further cemented O’Neal’s misjudgment about the team’s potential.
3. Draymond Green’s Continued Impact
Draymond Green, the heart and soul of the Warriors’ defense, also played a key role in disproving O’Neal’s comments. O’Neal had questioned the sustainability of the Warriors’ small-ball approach, and while Green’s scoring numbers weren’t eye-popping, his impact on defense and playmaking was crucial. Green’s ability to guard multiple positions, orchestrate the offense, and set the tone for the Warriors defensively made him invaluable.
Green’s basketball IQ, leadership, and versatility allowed him to complement Curry and Thompson in ways that made the Warriors’ system successful even without a traditional “big man” down low. While O’Neal’s playing style was predicated on dominant post play, Green’s value came from his ability to impact the game in many different ways — something that wasn’t as easy to quantify for someone like O’Neal, who relied on a more traditional big-man game. Green was key to the Warriors’ switch-heavy defense and their ability to execute their offensive schemes.
Golden State’s System and Sustainability
One of the most significant aspects of the Warriors’ success is their system. While O’Neal had expressed doubts about the long-term sustainability of a system reliant on three-point shooting and small-ball lineups, the Warriors proved that their approach was not a passing trend but rather a revolutionary style of play that had staying power.
Under the leadership of coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ offensive system emphasized ball movement, spacing, and unselfish play, which maximized the strengths of their shooters. This system not only highlighted Curry, Thompson, and Green but also allowed younger players like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to contribute in important ways. Wiggins, for example, was a key contributor during the Warriors’ 2022 Finals victory, providing strong defense and clutch shot-making when it mattered most.
Furthermore, the Warriors’ emphasis on teamwork, communication, and system-based play allowed them to remain competitive even as their stars aged. The team’s ability to adapt, stay ahead of the curve, and find success with a variety of role players made it clear that the Warriors’ brand of basketball wasn’t just a “fad” as O’Neal had suggested. The dynasty was built on a foundation that included strong team chemistry, elite shooting, and an innovative approach to both offense and defense — factors that allowed the Warriors to sustain success for years.
