“I don’t think I would be able to relate to the new generation.” That’s Shaquille O’Neal being brutally honest about why he has no plans to coach in the NBA. But imagine for a second—what if the Big Diesel did give it a shot? Dwyane Wade toyed with that chain of thought while tipping his hat to a veteran coach who’s still going strong.
Wade made sure to give Doc Rivers his due, saying, “I love hearing great stories about Doc because we don’t get a chance to always hear these great stories about Doc. They like to pick on Doc for other reasons.” And honestly, he’s got a point.
Rivers’ name often pops up when people talk about blown 3-1 leads—three times, to be exact—but it’s easy to overlook the man’s bigger achievements. He’s led two franchises deep into title contention and was even named one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History. That doesn’t just happen by accident.
And Doc’s still at it—coaching the Milwaukee Bucks with that same fire that’s kept him in the game for over two decades. Whether he’s molding a young core or wrangling vets like Giannis, Doc’s got a knack for connecting with players that Shaq admits he’d struggle to match.
Speaking of coaches over the course of NBA history, Chris Johnson sees a pattern. He pointed out that Doc was a point guard back in his playing days—something that’s apparently more common among successful coaches. “That shows why point guards convert quicker to great coaches,” Johnson said.
And it’s true—think about legends like Steve Kerr or Jason Kidd, guys who ran the floor and now run teams. They’ve got that playmaking brain, perfect for coaching. Centers like Shaq, though? They owned the paint with muscle, not finesse, and that’s tougher to translate to the sideline.
And really, it makes sense. Point guards are like the brain of the team—setting plays, reading the floor, and understanding teammates’ strengths. All things a great coach needs to master. However, Wade couldn’t help but add a little humor to the mix, as he agreed with Johnson but with a twist. “You don’t wanna see no big center over there,” he joked, teasing the idea of Shaq pacing the sidelines in a suit and tie. Then Dorell Wright jumped in, doing his best coach Shaq impression: “‘Hey, man. Throw the ball inside.’” Can’t you just hear it?
Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal before game one of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo, who shared the floor with O’Neal at one point, was pulled into the mix too. But Wade was quick to point out the difference. “You [Rondo] ain’t play with Shaq. You play Shaquille,” he laughed. Wade wasn’t wrong, though, as Rondo played with O’Neal during his final season in Boston, where the 4x champ averaged just 9.2 points over 37 games.
But still, Big Diesel as the head coach? Quite an intriguing idea. Only if the ex-Laker had not made his intentions clear already.
Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he won’t take up a coaching job
O’Neal has always been larger than life—on the court and off it. With four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, a Hall of Fame induction, and a presence that’s spilled into everything from rap to reality TV, Shaq has done it all. Well, almost. There’s one path he’s never pursued: becoming a head coach.
Now, plenty of former NBA greats have taken their talents from the hardwood to the sidelines. But Shaquille O’Neal? He’s never imagined himself barking plays or drawing up schemes with a clipboard in hand. Instead, he’s found his post-retirement groove behind the camera as an analyst. And sure, given his experience and basketball IQ, a coaching job might seem like a natural fit. But as he puts it–he knows himself too well.
Shaq’s still the king of TNT—cracking jokes, roasting Charles Barkley, and keeping fans hooked with his big personality. That studio gig fits him like a glove, way better than a timeout huddle ever would.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to coach,” he admitted. “I have an old-school mentality — Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, the great Gregg Popovich–type mentality… Don’t think I would be able to relate to the new generation.” Not that he hasn’t given it a shot. He once coached his son’s AAU team to a championship. Fun as it was, Shaq says it best: “Never again.” Well, it seems Dwyane Wade’s hilarious imagination would stay what as it is for turning into reality seems a non-existent option.
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