Inside the NBA is back, and it hasn’t lost any of its trademark flavor or fervor despite shifting from TNT to ESPN. Of course, a change wasn’t to be expected since the ‘core four’ made sure that the same production crew worked with them at Studio J. And it wouldn’t be a true return to full throttle without Shaq being insulted in some way, shape, or form.
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Victor Wembanyama’s matchup against Cooper Flagg was hyped up to be the main event in Wednesday night’s 12-game slate. In what could’ve been a clash between titans turned out to be a case of Wemby imposing his will on a disjointed Mavericks defense. And Flagg, who managed only 10 points, was kept at bay, too.
Wemby, on the other hand, dropped 40 points on 71.4% shooting from the field while grabbing 15 rebounds. He had 0 turnovers, too. Only Shaq, Anthony Davis, and Moses Malone have achieved such a stat line before.
If anyone knows even a lick about Kenny Smith’s ‘role’ on the Inside the NBA team, it’s to instigate. And that’s exactly what he did while the crew discussed the Wemby performance. Smith claimed Shaq essentially would look like a deer in headlights if he tried to guard the French star.
O’Neal’s classic “I’m taking my glasses off to show that I’m mad” schtick came out. But the moment didn’t produce anything more than that. “We’re on ESPN now,” said Kenny when O’Neal motioned toward getting off his chair to perhaps indulge in a bit of physicality.
— NBA Buff (@j_hasija) October 23, 2025
The Lakers legend did have his own opinion on Victor. Specifically on how he’d try to guard him. “I’m not known for defense. You know what I’m known for eating? French fries and French toast,” said Shaq.
Shaq was unimpressed by Wemby after his 40-point performance against the Mavs
“You know what I’m known for eating? French fries and French toast.” pic.twitter.com/8QcoEmwBP6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 23, 2025
This came after Chuck and Kenny were being, let’s be fair, a tad bit disrespectful toward O’Neal. They had claimed that Wemby’s existence would lead to Shaq not being drafted before him in a hypothetical draft. It’s all in jest, but seriously? A prime Shaq against third-year Wemby? Let’s not go there.
Shaq, however, has been critical of Wemby before. At the start of last season, when Coach Pop made it clear he wanted Wemby to shoot more threes, O’Neal vehemently disagreed.
“I don’t really think you can be dominant when you shoot jumpers a lot. I think if he were an inside player at 7’5, the answer would be yes. But when you shoot jumpers, you’re always going to go up & down,” O’Neal had stated.
Looks like Wemby took Shaq’s advice. 14 of his 15 FGMs were from inside the arc. If Wemby finds a harmonious balance between inside and outside scoring, then all the other team defenses can really do is pray.
