“They think they're better than us” — Shaquille O'Neal says modern NBA salaries are fueling false superiority

Shaquille O'Neal 's latest take might upset some people, but that's just how he rolls. With NBA salaries reaching crazy heights, he's curious if today's stars have gotten a bit too comfortable. Back in his time, dealing with criticism was just part of the hustle. These days, he feels players are too quick to defend themselves and not reflective enough.

Modern NBA players are too sensitive to criticismBack in Shaq’s days, contracts were impressive, but they don't hold a candle to what players are getting now. Take 1996, for example, when O’Neal inked a seven-year deal worth $120 million with the Los Angeles Lakers — huge for that time. Now, we see players like Rudy Gobert landing contracts that exceed $200 million. O’Neal has openly discussed this gap, saying, "Rudy Gobert is making $200 million. So, all you big guys out there, look at him. Follow him."

23 years ago, Shaquille O’Neal signed seven-year, $120 million deal with Lakers.

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— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) July 18, 2019

This financial surge has certainly padded players' wallets, but O’Neal believes it has also created a culture where athletes are more resistant to criticism. He points out that many players tend to get defensive when they receive constructive feedback, seeing it as a personal affront instead of a chance to improve. O’Neal has voiced his annoyance about this heightened sensitivity, saying, "It’s just they get sensitive."

Shaquille O'Neal has shared his thoughts on the hefty paychecks that modern NBA players receive and their reactions to being criticized, "Yes, and the reason is the monetary value. Guys are making way more than we did, so in their minds, they think they're better than we were. But that's not the case because there's a lot of bums out there making a lot of money. And yes, I said it."

The differences between generations become clearer when looking at how they respond to criticism. O’Neal shares that critiques from legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar inspired him to step up his game. On the other hand, he sees that many current players often react defensively, sometimes taking to social media to express their frustrations.

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Shaq's thoughts remind us that staying humble and being open to constructive criticism are important, regardless of your financial success. As the league progresses, finding a balance between traditional and modern perspectives will be key to building respect and encouraging improvement.