Shaquille O'Neal delivers scathing assessment of NBA's direction as Finals approach

Jason McIntyre reacts to the New York Knicks ending their time with Tom Thibodeau after five strong seasons, breaking down whether this was the right move for the franchise and what’s next for the team.

Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is not happy with the current state of NBA basketball. 

O’Neal, 53, lamented how the game had gone "soft."

"The league is getting soft, the game is getting soft and it's going to take a couple of people to bring it back," O’Neal said during a recent appearance on "New Heights."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Shaquille O'Neal before Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden June 6, 2024, in Boston.  (David Butler II/USA Today Sports)

The 15-time NBA All-Star does not like the trend of centers shooting 3-pointers and prefers the big men dominating in the paint.

"Like, I hate big guys shooting (3-pointers). Victor Wembanyama is a great player, but I would love to just see him dominate so much that people start complaining, and they change the rules like when I did. I could shoot, but I'm not going to shoot a (3-pointer)," O’Neal said. 

"Why would I shoot a (3-pointer) when I could put your little a-- in the basket and dunk on you and put these balls in your face."

NFL GREAT CARL BANKS GETS INTO SOCIAL MEDIA SPAT WITH RADIO HOST OVER 'LOSER' REMARK TOWARD KNICKS STAR

Shaquille O'Neal (right) talks prior to Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis.  (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

O’Neal also expressed his disdain for the current NBA All-Star game format.

"Our NBA All-Star format is terrible. I don’t know who’s in charge, but it's terrible,"