Alonzo Mourning: Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Survive in the ’90s But Charles Oakley and Other Big Men Were Something Else Entirely

The glaring lack of physicality in today’s game is something retired NBA stars persistently criticize. The refs step in a bit too fast, while the players are happily flopping. “When I came along and started beating people up, big guys started stepping out,” Shaquille O’Neal had once sarcastically blamed himself for the situation, also hinting that stars today wouldn’t survive the toughness of the previous eras. Alonzo Mourning, though, believes Giannis Antetokounmpo is an exception.

The Miami Heat icon joined O’Neal on the Big Podcast with Shaq to ponder on which current superstars would thrive in the 1990s NBA. Shaq claimed reigning MVP Nikola Jokic would have no issues adjusting to the physicality. Mourning picked the Greek Freak.

“Giannis [could thrive in the 90s]. I think just how hard he goes… I think he still takes a beating, though… [But] I think Giannis man… He’s cut up like I was,” Mourning said. 

However, Mourning did add that the Milwaukee Bucks superstar would experience a culture shock if he time-traveled back and played. The centers and forwards back then, players like Terry Cummings and Charles Oakley, not only played physical defense but showed no remorse in sending a message to their opponents. Mourning added:

“I’ll tell you what. Terry Cummings, [Charles Oakley], Anthony Mason… You let them boys lay wood on you, they take you out of the air… We don’t have that no more… The guys in this era have not felt physicality. [They wouldn’t know] until they felt those guys.”

Antetokounmpo is, arguably, the only star in the league today who plays with brute force on both ends of the floor. He is reminiscent of a bygone era. Back when big men were expected to use their towering presence to dominate in and around the paint, and not just stand on the three-point line to play as a ‘stretch 5.’

O’Neal may have picked Jokic ahead of Antetokounmpo. But that could likely be him trying to present a contrarian take on it. Shaq has admitted in the past that he enjoyed the Bucks superstar’s old-school style of play. Once, he even gave him the ultimate compliment.

When Shaq gave his Superman cloak to Giannis

Antetokounmpo cemented his legacy as the greatest player in Bucks history after leading the franchise to the NBA title in 2021, its first since 1971. His 50-point performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns had prompted O’Neal to anoint him as the league’s new Superman.

He had congratulated the two-time MVP and the Bucks on Instagram.

“Congratulations Giannis! Thanks for bringing old-school bully basketball back. It’s only one Superman now and that’s you. [Damn], you was dominating. Wow.”

Antetokounmpo would certainly have no issues adjusting to the physicality of the game if he was playing in the 1990s. He would have also been one the best players in the league. However, it is impossible to claim with surety that would be as dominant as he is now.