Shaquille O’Neal has never been known for keeping his mouth shut, but his latest podcast rant might be the most brutal attack he’s ever thrown at a young athlete. On the newest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the NBA legend went completely off the rails, calling LSU star-turned-WNBA rookie Angel Reese an “idiot” and dismissing her as nothing more than an “image-obsessed rookie” who only cares about social media attention.

And let me be blunt: this wasn’t just a playful jab or old-school tough love. This was a verbal takedown that left fans gasping.

Shaq’s Harshest Words Yet

During a heated segment, O’Neal directly questioned Reese’s credibility as a basketball player. He accused her of focusing more on building a brand than building her game.

“Angel Reese? She’s not a real player yet. She’s an image. She’s obsessed with herself. This is the WNBA, not Instagram,” Shaq barked, his tone dripping with disgust.

The word idiot wasn’t thrown lightly either. O’Neal doubled down, saying that if Reese didn’t start focusing on fundamentals instead of fashion shoots, her career would “burn out before it even starts.”

It was a gut punch for Reese, who has been celebrated as one of the faces of women’s basketball after her LSU championship run and flashy transition into the WNBA spotlight.

Public Reaction: Outrage and Applause

As expected, Shaq’s rant set the internet on fire. Twitter exploded within minutes of the clip dropping, with fans divided into two extreme camps.

One side backed Shaq’s no-filter criticism, saying the younger generation of athletes is “soft” and more concerned about likes and endorsements than putting in work. Others accused Shaq of being a bitter, outdated legend who resents confident young women stepping into the spotlight.

“Shaq is right. She’s more worried about being a celebrity than a baller,” one commenter wrote.

“This is disgusting. He’s bullying a young woman for doing exactly what every athlete does in 2024—build a brand,” another fired back.

The clash of opinions only added more fuel to Shaq’s words, making Reese trend for all the wrong reasons.

Is Shaq Being Honest or Just Jealous?

Here’s where I’ll put my own cards on the table: Shaq has a point, but his delivery was pure arrogance. Yes, Angel Reese has leaned heavily into her fame—fashion shoots, magazine covers, sponsorship deals. But isn’t that what athletes have to do today to survive?

We’re not in the 1990s anymore. The WNBA doesn’t bring in NBA-level money, and women athletes are forced to hustle on and off the court to secure their futures. Shaq knows this, but instead of mentoring Reese, he chose to humiliate her.

That’s not tough love. That’s ego.

And let’s be honest—Shaq himself has been more of a brand than a player for decades. He’s starred in movies, released rap albums, and shilled everything from icy hot patches to printer ink. So for him to lecture Reese about “image obsession” feels hypocritical at best.

The Bigger Picture: Women’s Basketball in the Spotlight

The real tragedy here is that this feud distracts from what should be celebrated: women’s basketball is finally breaking into mainstream culture. With stars like Reese, Caitlin Clark, and others drawing huge crowds, the game has never been more relevant.

But instead of supporting that movement, Shaq just handed critics another reason to dismiss it. His words don’t just hit Reese—they undermine the progress of the entire league.

What Happens Next?

Angel Reese hasn’t responded publicly yet, but knowing her fierce and unapologetic personality, it’s only a matter of time before she fires back. And when she does, expect the drama to double.

If there’s one thing Reese has proven, it’s that she thrives under pressure. Shaq might think he buried her, but all he really did was hand her a spotlight.

The question is—will she use it to clap back, or let her game do the talking?

Either way, one thing is certain: Shaquille O’Neal just picked a fight with the wrong rookie.