Shaq urges NBA players to take Jordan’s criticism seriously, backs MJ’s NBC role

Shaquille O’Neal fiercely defends Michael Jordan’s new role with NBC, calling him a “G19-level” legend whose advice players should take seriously. While others question MJ’s broadcasting commitment, Shaq believes Jordan’s voice alone can influence the next generation.

While questions swirl around Michael Jordan’s undefined “special contributor” role with NBC’s new NBA coverage, Shaquille O’Neal is having none of the skepticism.

Speaking passionately in an interview with Ashley Nevel, Shaq made it clear: Jordan’s voice holds unprecedented weight — whether he’s on the court, in a boardroom, or behind a microphone.

“If anybody says Michael Jordan is hating, you’re an idiot,” Shaq said. “This man is the only man on Earth with G19 classification. G19 higher than the President of the United States classification… this guy can go behind the doors and get sh– done.”

Jordan’s vague title has prompted plenty of questions — no contract details, no scheduled appearances, and no specific responsibilities. Yet Shaq’s stance is unwavering: Jordan’s brand alone is reason enough to listen.

To drive his point home, Shaq shared a vivid hypothetical: if MJ criticized his game during his prime, it wouldn’t sting — it would motivate.

“I would love to be playing right now in the drill. Like ‘Shaq tries to go to the middle, maybe he should use finesse game.’ You know what I’m going to do when I hear that sh–? I’m going to go home and practice all my finesse sh–.

And then the next game I’m going to be trying to show Mike that, ‘Hey, Mr. Jordan, I have finesse in my game too.’”

Shaq also referenced how Jordan’s storytelling potential could elevate NBC’s coverage, just like Tom Brady’s slow-burn emergence in NFL media. Despite critics calling Brady’s debut stiff, Shaq sees the long game:

“When Tom Brady talks, I love to hear the stories. And guess what? I believe him. You know why I believe you, Tom? I was at all the Super Bowls that you won. I was there in the big suits watching you do what you do.”

Meanwhile, skepticism lingers from other corners. Charles Barkley, once a close friend of MJ, publicly doubted Jordan’s commitment, saying,

“I know he’s not going to do a lot. I was 100% shocked.”

Even NBC executives admitted they’re unsure how much on-air time Jordan will actually log. While Jordan didn’t appear at the network’s major unveiling, sending only a pre-recorded message, Shaq still believes His Airness needs no formal intro.

And in one memorable father-son exchange, Shaq offered a mic-drop argument for why Jordan’s greatness still reigns:

“For me, it’s Michael Jordan,” he said. When his son Myles argued he hadn’t seen MJ play, Shaq fired back:

“You got Google, don’t you?”