By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-25 19:57:27 | Updated at 2024-11-27 03:38:28
1 day ago
Once again, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal is banging the drum for the WNBA to lower the rims on hoops. But the reigning league MVP isn't in favor of the idea.
Earlier in the year, O'Neal went on Angel Reese's 'Unapologetically Angel' podcast and suggested that lowering the rims would lead to an increase in attention and money - with the idea that women dunking would result in more viewers.
On Sunday night, O'Neal doubled-down on his idea of lowering the rim down from its current ten-foot height.
Not only did O'Neal promote the idea, but he also called out reigning league MVP A'ja Wilson to embrace the concept as well.
'60% of the fan said Dunking their favorite thing,' Shaq wrote on Instagram. 'The WNBA has none of that. So they make much less money. Just trying to get you that 300 million dollars you deserve @aja22wilson #shaqwbnacommisioner. Love yall @wnba.'
In a separate comment, 'The Big Aristotle' added, 'Do it for the wnba all star game and watching the ratings go through the roof.'
Shaquille O'Neal believes that lowering the rims would lead to more exposure for the WNBA
But reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson believes this change would harm players' effectiveness
When O'Neal mentioned the change on Reese's podcast, she appeared to reject the idea. Wilson isn't on board with it either.
In an appearance on the Roommates Show with New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, the three-time MVP appeared to suggest that lowering the rim wouldn't help those who have practiced and played on ten-foot rims for so long.
'What is it gonna do?' Wilson said. 'I would much rather just gear my offseason to, 'Okay, vertical, maxing it out, let's focus on this jumping.
'Versus lowering it an inch? That could change all of our shots. Do y'all not understand that?'
While adjustments between the sexes for height has been made in other sports like volleyball, basketball has kept the playing field even.
Currently, only two WNBA players who have dunked in the past: Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Suns and Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty.
Other WNBA players who have brought down the house with some jams include Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, and Elena Delle Donne among others.
