Shaq: I want Jokic vs. Giannis in the NBA Finals
The Basketball Hall of Famer and 4-time NBA champion spoke with Yahoo Sports NBA writer Vincent Goodwill about the two big men’s place in the game and why he wants to see them square off for another championship. Shaq joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of Home Depot and its “How to March Madness” campaign — which includes a some “Tips from the Tool Shaq”.
Video Transcript
VINCENT GOODWILL: Here with Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq is joining us on behalf of Home Depot. He's gonna talk to us a little bit about that later. But first off, Shaq, Joker and Giannis, they both have two MVPs, regular season MVPs, and one Finals MVP, one championship. Do you think this year that one of those guys will break the tie? Do you think Milwaukee or Denver will wind up on top?
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: That's who I would like to see in the Finals. And the good thing about sports and competition is just so many questions and so many things you wish you could answer right now. But we just gotta wait. Milwaukee's definitely starting to pick it up. Denver's in a position they could be number four. They could be number two. But, you know, they definitely have the blueprint on how to win a championship. And I could tell they wanna win another one. So Clippers are coming. Phoenix is coming. Gotta love NBA sports.
VINCENT GOODWILL: Well, Shaq, you reached a point, after you won your first MVP, it's argued that you should've won two or three more. And Giannis is in the spot where he's won two MVPs. And people don't talk about him being an MVP player. Speaking from experience, does that bother you when you've won an MVP and you feel like your numbers and the team's success is there, are you surprised that Giannis's name isn't thrown out there, like Jokic and like SGA?
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: What bothers me is what is the criteria for becoming a most valuable player of the NBA, a singular-entity player? Some of these rule makers base it on team success. And that's OK, but you mean to tell me Minnesota-- and Anthony Edwards is a great player-- but you telling me right now he's better than the Joker, he's playing better than Luka, just because their team has a better record?
So I don't really know the criteria anymore of the most valuable player. Like, when I was doing all my stuff in the League, I [INAUDIBLE] most valuable player be a guy that was just passing everybody else, you know, a guy that I lost to twice.
So I don't really understand the criteria. If you're not really a sports aficionado like we are, when you say most valuable player, I would think you would have this-- the baddest guy in the League. I think if they're gonna focus on winning, your team has to be one through eight. You mean to tell me if Minnesota finishes better than-- than Denver by one game, you gotta give it to Anthony Edwards 'cause his, you know, record was better?
Like I said, I don't really understand the criteria of what a most valuable player. Is it what you do as a player, or is it what your team does?
VINCENT GOODWILL: I think it's supposed to be a combination of both. But there's been some inconsistencies through the years and historically on--
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: Exactly.
VINCENT GOODWILL: You're doing a Home Depot March Madness promotion. Tell us a little bit about that.
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: Well, let me say, I'm really excited about the Home Depot-- you know, to help bring their sponsorship of NCAA's March Madness to life. I've been a Home Depot guy forever. This is my first time not living like a spoiled brat. So I have a regular house amongst the people. But it was kind of a old fixer-upper, 30-acre farm.
So I was at Home Depot a lot. And it helped me with all my DIY projects. You know, when I decided to partner up with them, I said, you know, we gotta make a campaign that's fun. So, you know, we decided to pair basketball terminology with Home Depot terminology, you know, things that make sense, like cleaning the glass, seating the bracket, you know, things like that.
And the series is called "Tips from the Tool Shaq." So we made all the commercials cute. And, you know, during the March Madness, when you were being excited for the game, it's [INAUDIBLE] take you out for a second and, you know, get you out your worry spot and make you laugh. But it, you know, definitely makes sense.
VINCENT GOODWILL: Shaq, you are the king of making promotions fun and funny. Really appreciate you joining us on behalf of Home Depot today, man. Thanks again, big.
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL: Thank you, brother.
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