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Shaq: Celtics are most 'overrated' team in NBA

Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / Getty

Shaquille O'Neal isn't convinced the Boston Celtics have what it takes to win a championship this season.

On the latest episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq," O'Neal labelled the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics the most "overrated" team in the NBA.

"Overrated? Boston," O'Neal said. "I was gonna say Clippers, but Ty Lue's my boy and I don't wanna sound like I'm disrespecting. They can win."

When co-host Adam Lefkoe pointed out that the Celtics own the league's best record, the four-time NBA champion stood firm in his statement.

"Yeah, but you gotta show me," O'Neal said. "I've been in this league, around the league a long time. I've seen a lot of guys that have had a great regular season, but they don't win championships.

"That used to be my fight with all these coaches that come in with the numbers ... well, where have they been at? Like, when I first got to Miami, 'Oh our defensive rating' and all this and that. Well, I've been in the Finals five of the last six years and I ain't never seen you, so obviously that don't mean nothing to me."

The Celtics have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in five of the last seven seasons, but made it to the NBA Finals just once during that span, losing to the Golden State Warriors in 2022. They last won a championship in 2008.

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