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Shaquille O'Neal made waves last week by suggesting that current NBA players might struggle to respect a coach as young as new Los Angeles Lakers head coach, J.J. Redick.
However, Stephen A. Smith has hit back at this suggestion, responding to the former NBA great.
What did Shaq say?
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most recognizable figures within basketball, and his opinion always carries weight.
"He has LeBron's respect, but what about the other players? That's going to be his true test," Shaq remarked.
"Personally, I don't think I could play for someone I was competing against just four or five years ago. If I didn't respect my coach, it was hard to give 100 percent effort.
"I'm not trying to disrespect JJ, but it's surprising that someone with no coaching experience got the job over someone like Sam Cassell, who's been on the bench for 15 years."
How did Stephen A. Smith respond?
Redick's early days in the job were further complicated by an off-the-court scandal, which didn't help alleviate concerns about his leadership.
This week, Stephen A. Smith addressed Shaq's comments head-on.
"Stop lying," Smith said bluntly.
"You know you'd still play because that paycheck would be coming. Don't act like you wouldn't, big boy, you know better."
Smith didn't stop there, offering a strong defense of Redick.
"JJ Redick is one of the greatest college basketball players ever. He's also a 15-year NBA veteran. And while I don't love how he got the Lakers job, clearly influenced by LeBron James, if you know JJ Redick, you know he understands basketball deeply," he added.
"It'll be interesting to see how his coaching impacts the players, but one thing's for sure: they won't doubt his knowledge. Personally, I'm rooting for him and believe he'll succeed."