Shaq responds to apparent shot from Harden: 'I'm not a yes man'
Shaquille O'Neal is standing by his claim that James Harden's trade to the Brooklyn Nets will be a "bust" if the team doesn't win a championship this year.
O'Neal defended his comments and addressed Harden's apparent response Thursday during an appearance on ESPN's "First Take."
"All that talk about 'we should be uplifting brothers' and all that - I uplift my brothers by telling them the truth," the Hall of Famer and NBA on TNT analyst said. "I'm not a yes man, OK? You ain't show up yet, so you gotta win a championship."
O'Neal added that he wishes Harden well and hopes the Nets win, "but if they don't get a championship this year, it's a bust."
Harden appeared to respond to O'Neal's initial comments on Instagram while also praising Dwyane Wade for his supportive message.
James Harden’s instagram story seems to have a direct shot at Shaq 👀
— 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩¹³🎡 (@RocketsPlsWin) January 17, 2021
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/b9eBmoz8yb
The Nets are currently 9-7 this season and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference.