In this segment of the Draymond Green Show, host Draymond Green and guest Shaquille O'Neal discuss Shaq's reasoning behind favoring Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (SGA) over Nikola Jokic for the NBA MVP award. Shaq critiques the traditional MVP criteria, emphasizing his personal definition of the "baddest motherfucker" in the league as the true measure of value. He references a "G14 classification"—a hierarchy among big men that grants certain players elevated status and speaking rights. Shaq addresses Gilbert Arenas' comments that Jokic’s MVP candidacy is weakened because Jamal Murray takes the clutch shots, arguing that team roles and classifications affect perception. Throughout, Shaq compares his own dominance to legends like Kobe Bryant, D‑Wayne Wade, and Penny Hardaway, asserting that while he may not be the best statistically, he embodies the toughest, most dominant presence. The conversation also touches on the subjectivity of MVP voting, the influence of voter favorites, and the broader discourse about big‑man hierarchy in the NBA.
Chapters
Welcome to the brand new Draymond Green Show YouTube channel. Hit subscribe so you don't miss out on any of our content. You said something when you were just discussing Kobe, when you were discussing Kobe, you remember what y'all did in the fourth quarter? You said quarters 1 through 3, I dominate. And then we let Kobe take over in the fourth. And I recently was just on Instagram maybe a week ago, and not even a week ago, and Gilbert Arenas, Draymond Green on his podcast was talking about Joker and saying, you know, when it's time to get a bucket, the ball always go to Jamal Murray towards the end of the game. So how can you say he's the best player? Talking about Joker, because Jamal Murray get those last shots. And you pretty much just said, that's what me and Kobe did. Like I did this and then we let him go then. So what do you make of Gilbert Arenas' statement about Joker saying he's not as good because Jamal Murray gets the ball down the stretch? —because he takes all the big shots.
Being that he was a part of us, he has that G14 classification. But Joker is really good. And Jamal is really good. That's just the way their team is set up. When it comes to most valuable player, I always thought it meant the baddest motherfucker in the league. Like, you're a guy who made history, which should have been my history, the most dominant, I mean, the unanimous MVP. He's the baddest motherfucker in the league. I don't give a fuck what y'all record is, where y'all at, 1 through 8. He's the baddest motherfucker in the league. That's the most valuable player to me. I don't understand what the classifications are. Best player on the best team? We as players, we know who the baddest motherfucker is. We know who the strongest is. We know who the best, like we know. You know, all these voters sometimes they just get with their favorites and they stick with their favorites.
Yeah.
I don't know what the fucking criteria is. So, you know, I think the point that, you know, Gilbert was trying to make is, Okay, if he's the baddest guy, why is he getting the ball? Sometimes you gotta do that. Like, you know, Shannon Sharpe said something the other day, "Oh, Shaq wasn't the best player on his team." That's true. I'm not better than fucking Penny Hardaway. I'm not better than Kobe Bryant. I'm not better than D-Wade, but I'm the baddest motherfucker on the team. That's what I always try to be. I always try to be the biggest, baddest motherfucker. All that bad, bro, I wasn't better than Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner coming outta college, but I was the baddest motherfucker. That's why I got picked number 1. So, you know, a lot of times, like, if you got G14 classification, I'm gonna let you say what you want. But if you don't, I ain't gonna let you. Like, I'm, you know, sometimes people take our niceness for granted. And I'm big on G14 classification. So I don't have a problem with what Gilbert said. He's been there, he's done that. He was with us. I understand that. But, you know, all opinions are subjective. You either agree or you disagree. Mm-hmm. Problem we have now in this world is somebody say something, you don't like it, you wanna take it and put it in your thing. That's cool too, but just make sure you have that G14 classification. And G14 classification gets you in the building. We have ranks. Me and you have the highest fucking ranks. Me, you, Steph, Cole, Magic, we on the top motherfucking floor. A lot of guys are in the building, but they don't have the same, you know, right to say certain things as we do. But again, I don't have a problem with— I do have a problem with what he said where I hate all sinners. I don't hate all sinners. I've never said anything bad about Joker. I just think they thought I was trying to be funny when I told 'em, I said, no, I want you to hear from me first, Joker. And I'm telling you like a man, you my guy, love you. But SGA should've got an MVP. That ain't no diss. But again, I did it and I slowed it down so people can understand that. And I even added, hey, this is no disrespect to you. And they still take it and twist it. Oh, Shaq hates all big men. I don't hate all big men. I hate all big men that don't play like fucking big men.
Yeah.
That's what I hate. We are getting closer to crowning an NBA champ, and with the action heating up on the court hotter than ever, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app. It's great. I've got it. You should. Takes less than 90 seconds. Official sports betting partner of the National Basketball Association. Okay, now we got the conference finals. Pacers-Celtics, T-Wolves-Dallas Mavericks. These games have been so great. Live betting, same-game parlays, odds boosts. So much is covered. It's super easy for first-timers to get started. Try betting on something simple like, uh, uh, a team to win. So you go to the DraftKings Sportsbook app again, download it, 90 seconds, select your squad, place your bet. It's that simple. Okay, new to DraftKings, it's called No Sweat Bet. This is a new one. It's easy, called No Sweat Bet. Up to $1,500, just deposit at least $5. That's it, $5, a 5-spot. That's it. And you'll get a bonus bet back if your bet doesn't hit. Yeah, I said it right. If your bet doesn't hit, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app. The code is Colin. That's me, C-O-L-I-N. DraftKings Sportsbook app, download Colin, C-O-L-I-N. New customers, no sweat bet up to $1,500 you get if you just deposit $5 and your first bet doesn't hit. Only on DraftKings. The crown is yours.
