Now that Tim Duncan has retired, it's time for analysts and basketball minds to discuss his legacy and all-time ranking. In the recent days, people have called Duncan one of the best big men to ever play the game, but Shaquille O'Neal says hold on a minute.
Speaking on his podcast, "The Big Podcast With Shaq," the retired 7-1 center says the 6-11 Duncan isn't a "big man" because he played mostly as a power forward. He was asked about Duncan being ranked as a top five player all-time, and said his main problem was how they were labeling him.
"I only have one beef with how they're throwing this around," O'Neal said. "They're saying he's one of the greatest big men. Do you count power forwards as big men? Because I don't.
"I was always taught that the big man was a center. I know we got new rules and they don't have the center spot no more, but no."
I'd say that's some classic Shaq ego and childishness. Sure, he's entitled to his opinion the same as anyone else, and his probably does carry a bit more weight because he himself is one of the all-time great bigs (and for that matter, players) in the history of the sport. But I think by most people's definition, power forwards that are up around the seven foot mark count as big men, because they are still among the biggest players on the floor.
