Fans React to Shaq’s ‘Tough Love’ Interview With Donovan Mitchell

Shaquille O’Neal is never one to mince words. Just moments after Mitchell put on a dominant 36-point performance to lead the Jazz to their seventh straight win, TNT analyst and Lakers legend Shaq suggested that Mitchell does not have “what it takes to get to that next level.” Many NBA fans, who were quick to praise Mitchell’s icy response, pushed back against Shaq’s “tough love” shtick.

Sideaction’s Latest:

• James and the Giant Tax Bill; Harden to Pay $13M After Trade
• Colin Cowherd Wants Nick Saban to Get an NFL Head Coaching Gig
• Jimmy Butler Peer Pressured into Drinking Wine for the First Time
• Watch the Emotional Moment on Steelers Bench Following Playoff Loss
• Man Smashes His Own Television After Engaging Steelers Loss
• Superstar Third Baseman on the Trade Market?
• Johnny Manziel Was Barred from XFL by Vince McMahon

Mitchell torched the Pelicans on Thursday, scoring 36 points with 5 assists.

Donovan Mitchell had a season-high 36 PTS (11/19 FG), 7 REB, 5 AST.

During Utah's 7-game win streak:
27.9 PTS, 4.9 AST, 4.3 REB, 51% FGpic.twitter.com/RQ31n56XU6

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 22, 2021

Donovan Mitchell made his 600th career 3-pointer last night.

He reached that mark in 240 games, the fastest player in NBA history to do so:

240 – Mitchell
244 – Buddy Hield
247 – Damian Lillard
248 – Klay Thompson
249 – Stephen Curry pic.twitter.com/tEr4Hqd7Iq

— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 22, 2021

Despite the numbers, Shaq grilled Mitchell with some tough questions:

“I’ve been hearing that since my rookie year.”

Spida responds to Shaq’s criticism. pic.twitter.com/F5pkBGCMdA

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 22, 2021

Fans reacted to Shaq’s comments:

That Mitchell and Shaq exchange was… pic.twitter.com/9fDEwogUZI

— Jason Shepherd (@jsnshep) January 22, 2021

I have no idea what Shaq was trying to accomplish with this, but it certainly did not go the way he thought it would.

Also like, Donovan Mitchell isn’t one of these young dudes who has plateaued. He just dropped 36 PPG in a playoff series last year. Why are you challenging him? https://t.co/QaPgwMtvlL

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) January 22, 2021

Love Shaq and old-school motivational tactics, but this misses the mark badly. Mitchell deserves much better, publicly.

Dude dropped 57, 51 and 44 in playoffs last year. 52% on 3's. Pushed superior team to max.

Had 36 last night, takes time to chat and gets hit w/this?

Weak. https://t.co/ZghDBdYpm2

— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) January 22, 2021

I have so many thoughts on this exchange.

Shaq trying to be motivational and winding up just mean?

Is this him trying to Kobe challenge?

What did he expect Mitchell to say?

Would not have blamed Mitchell it he went off on him lol. https://t.co/JJieNtuCJp

— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) January 22, 2021

“@rudygobert27 isn’t a great player because he doesn’t score.”

-Shaq

“@spidadmitchell isn’t a great player because he scores too much.”

-Also Shaq

— Jake Edmonds (@JakeKUTV) January 22, 2021

Shaq told no lies about Rudy Gobert, but Donovan Mitchell doesn't deserve this disrespect. His playoff performance in the bubble alone lets us know Spida has what it takes to reach the next level. 🤨 https://t.co/wi6qK9pszo

— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) January 22, 2021

Mike Conley, on Shaq's comments about Donovan Mitchell: "I’ve been a big fan of Don’s and seeing the way he’s grown, even before he was here. I don’t know how you can make a statement like that regarding his progress at such a young age. He's gotten better every year."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) January 22, 2021

I love Shaq but he stays being too hard on modern big men. Shaq was incredible but Rudy Gobert is really really good at what he does too. Us old heads laugh at it but it doesn’t help younger fans eating that up

Same issue with the First Take-ification of sports talk

— Evan Barnes〽️ (@evan_b) January 22, 2021

the last thing shaq expected was for mitchell to not give on single solitary damn about his opinion. good for donovan. https://t.co/MPDtI4i8rV

— bomani (@bomani_jones) January 22, 2021

Got to have thick skin in the NBA. Mitchell is a gun and was awesome today. Like his response but like Shaq saying what he thinks too. #NBA https://t.co/NEach27Zf4

— Shane Heal (@ShaneHeal) January 22, 2021

Shaq’s confrontational schtick aside, the bigger issue is the NBA cultivating an environment where every talking head’s persona is Toxic Boomer

— Ben Detrick (@bdetrick) January 22, 2021

Inside The NBA was once the best show on television. But they have been struggling mightily this year.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) January 22, 2021

Chemistry is off. Social/political takes have been disastrous. Interviews even worse. Constant criticism of today's players/game. Players aren't feeling it.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) January 22, 2021

Shaq's obsession with belittling players is hurting the show. Gobert, Harden, Mitchell, etc. Especially bigs.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) January 22, 2021

Shaq has to stop taking current players’ success so personally, man. It’s bullshit.

— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) January 22, 2021

Just last week I had people telling me Shaq helps make this show "must-see TV."

If y'all need cringeworthy TV that bad, just watch The Bachelor or something https://t.co/8lWqKA2ZsU

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 22, 2021

@SHAQ you still think Spida doesn’t have what it takes? 🤔

— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 22, 2021

Shaq and Charles are huge personalities, and they’re going to say and do whatever they feel like. That being said, Shaq needs to pump the brakes on all the negativity towards current players. It’s becoming a little bit uncomfortable.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!