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Shaquille O'Neal. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O'Neal calls out 'lazy' Phoenix Suns big man

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 1/24/24

Shaquille O'Neal believes Bol Bol has a similar level of talent to rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. According to O'Neal, the difference is that Bol Bol is "lazy."

The Los Angeles Lakers legend believes the San Antonio Spurs rookie is hungry to continue improving, while Bol hasn't had a similar work ethic.

O'Neal's comments came via his "The Big Podcast."

"Bol Bol was the first to do it," O'Neal said. "... Wemby wants it more. Bol Bol is lazy as f---. Bol Bol can do everything Wemby can do and even a little better. Dribble behind the back. Shoot the three. Nice handle. The floater game. He's just lazy. I stand by my statement that Bol Bol was the first 7-foot-5 guy to have those skills. Not saying Bol Bol is better. I'm just saying he was the first 7-foot-5 guy to do that. My advice to Bol Bol is to act like you want it."

Shaq says Bol Bol can do everything Wemby can, but even better

“Bol Bol is just lazy af”

( @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/tKUqKuZ3z7) pic.twitter.com/8Ciq21x1GI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 24, 2024

Bol is in his fifth NBA season. His best production came with the Orlando Magic last season. He suited up 70 times, averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, one steal and 1.2 blocks per game.

However, since moving to the Suns this summer, Bol has found minutes hard to come by. When you cross-reference his career production with what we're seeing from Wembanyama, it pales in comparison.

Wembanyama, a 20-year-old rookie, is averaging 20.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 37 appearances. He is already having a more productive season than what we've ever seen from Bol.

There's no denying that Bol has talent. However, Wembanyama is already showing signs of the potential he possesses. We've only seen fleeting flashes from the Suns' big man. Still, at 24 years old, Bol has enough time to turn his career around.

That's where O'Neal's advice comes in. Bol will need to begin working harder and figuring out how to improve his game. He needs to earn minutes in Phoenix's rotation. He needs to prove he can be a force at the NBA level.

This season, both Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are creating headlines for the impact they've been making. There's no reason Bol can't emerge as another elite big man with a modern-day skillset. However, he's already at a disadvantage.

Wembanyama and Holmgren are in their first seasons (Holmgren missed last season due to a foot injury), and they have more room to grow and develop.

O'Neal's comments were clearly designed to elicit a response from Bol. He wants to see the big man prove he can be a valuable player on a contending team. Otherwise, this season with the Suns may be his last chance at legitimate minutes in the NBA.

Eventually, teams will stop believing they can get the best out of him. Then, the league will move on and Bol will be an afterthought while we marvel at Wembanyama and Holmgren.

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