'LeBron did it in Cleveland': Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal torch big-market myth after Tyrese Haliburton's clutch Game 1 stirs debate — Stephen A. Smith pushes back
Images via Getty Images
Does a superstar really need the spotlight of New York or Los Angeles to become the face of the NBA? That question has sparked a wave of debate across the league. When and where a player rises used to matter — but today, names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Tyrese Haliburton are flipping the narrative.
And some of the league's most vocal minds — Shaquille O'Neal and Draymond Green — are drawing a firm line: true greatness doesn't wait for a big market invite. It builds its own stage.
Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal say greatness defines a true NBA superstar, not market size
The long-standing belief that superstars must thrive in major media markets to reach iconic status is being challenged by some of the league's most experienced voices.
Shaquille O'Neal
lit the fuse during an appearance on the 'Good Word with Goodwill' podcast.
'You go to L.A., that's 50% of your contract goes to taxes,' Shaq said. 'More pressure, more articles, and more stress… Social media is the market now.'
The Lakers legend, who made the move from Orlando to Los Angeles in 1996, isn't speaking from theory — he lived the contrast. But his message is that the NBA's power map has shifted, thanks to social media and changing media dynamics. 'When I was coming up, it was a small market.
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You're too small. You probably need to go to a big market. But now every market is the same,' he added.
Golden State's
Draymond Green
echoed those thoughts on 'The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis' and Shaun Livingston. Green took the conversation further, pointing directly to today's most dominant stars. 'I know for sure [market size] doesn't matter because
LeBron James
became the face of the NBA in Cleveland, Ohio,' Green said. 'And that's not a big market by any stretch of the imagination.
I think you have to be that great.'
Tyrese Haliburton game-winner REACTION: Pacers-Thunder Game 1 w/ Shaun Livingston | Draymond & Baron
Green, never shy to stir the pot, emphasized that the scrutiny and pressure people associate with major cities doesn't magically disappear in smaller markets. 'The same pressure those guys get when they're playing in those cities,
LeBron James
got that pressure in Cleveland,' he explained. 'If he didn't win, there's noise. 'He can't do it no more.''
He didn't stop there. Green listed off
Giannis Antetokounmpo
,
Nikola Jokic
, and
Luka Doncic
as proof points.
'Giannis has become Giannis in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [Nikola Jokic] has become Joker in Denver, Colorado. Luka didn't become this Luka when he went to L.A. Luka became that in Dallas.' Each, in his view, is a product of performance, not zip code.
Meanwhile, ESPN's
Stephen A. Smith
offered a more cautious stance. Speaking on First Take, Smith said, 'Market size matters to certain stars, no question about it — not every star.' He suggested that only truly transcendent players, like Shaq, can bypass the traditional big-market boost.
But even Stephen A. acknowledged that pressure often comes more from expectations tied to legacy than from locale. And that brings us to a new name on the rise — Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton, playing in Indiana, has delivered one of the most clutch playoff runs in recent memory. As of June 5, he's hit game-tying or go-ahead shots in four separate rounds — something neither Michael Jordan nor LeBron James accomplished as quickly.
In 89 clutch minutes this postseason, Haliburton has racked up a jaw-dropping 8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and pushed Indiana to an 88.9% win rate in tight games.
His performances haven't gone unnoticed. Not even by Shaq, who, after Haliburton's game-winner against Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, was momentarily speechless.
Also Read:
LeBron James raves about Tyrese Haliburton ahead of Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Finals for first-ever NBA title
From Cleveland to Milwaukee, from Denver to Dallas, and now in Indiana, today's superstars are proving that market size might just be an outdated measuring stick. Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal are making it clear: if you're great enough, the world will watch no matter where you play.
In the age of highlights, hashtags, and real-time takes, the market isn't a place — it's a presence. And Tyrese Haliburton, right now, is becoming that presence.
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Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Welcome to campus, here's your ChatGPT
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SmartAsset Learn More Undo "Our vision is that, over time, AI would become part of the core infrastructure of higher education," Leah Belsky, OpenAI's vice president of education, said in an interview. In the same way that colleges give students school email accounts, she said, soon "every student who comes to campus would have access to their personalized AI account." To spread chatbots on campuses, OpenAI is selling premium AI services to universities for faculty and student use. It is also running marketing campaigns aimed at getting students who have never used chatbots to try ChatGPT. Live Events Some universities, including the University of Maryland and California State University, are already working to make AI tools part of students' everyday experiences. In early June, Duke University began offering unlimited ChatGPT access to students, faculty and staff. The school also introduced a university platform, called DukeGPT, with AI tools developed by Duke. 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Cal State said the effort would help make the school "the nation's first and largest AI-empowered university system." Some universities say they are embracing the new AI tools in part because they want their schools to help guide, and develop guardrails for, the technologies. " You're worried about the ecological concerns. You're worried about misinformation and bias," Edmund Clark, the chief information officer of California State University, said at a recent education conference in San Diego. "Well, join in. Help us shape the future." Last spring, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Edu, its first product for universities, which offers access to the company's latest AI. Paying clients like universities also get more privacy: OpenAI says it does not use the information that students, faculty and administrators enter into ChatGPT Edu to train its AI. (The New York Times has sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, over copyright infringement. Both companies have denied wrongdoing.) 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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'I can't play as an Impact Player': Virat Kohli's powerful statement sparks speculation - was he taking a dig at someone?
Virat Kohli with the IPL trophy. (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Even as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden Indian Premier League title in 2025, ending a nearly two-decade-long wait, it was Virat Kohli 's post-match words that sparked conversations far beyond the boundary ropes. Following RCB's six-run win over Punjab Kings in a gripping final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, an emotional Kohli stole the spotlight — not just for the tears, the turf kiss, or his long-awaited hands on the trophy — but for a quote that now has fans wondering: Was Virat Kohli targeting someone? Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! While speaking with former Australia opener Matthew Hayden on the field, Kohli was asked about the relentless passion and drive that continues to define his game. His reply, now going viral, was both heartfelt and pointed: Who's that IPL player? 'Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years, so there is an end date to our career as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. So I look for ways to improve. I can't play as an impact player. I want to field, I want to field 20 overs and make an impact in the field. That's the kind of player I am, I have been.' Poll Do you believe Virat Kohli's comments were directed at other players? Yes, definitely No, just his personal philosophy The comment struck a chord, not just with fans but also within cricketing circles, as Kohli made it clear: playing only as a batter doesn't align with his ethos. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In the era of the 'Impact Player' rule — where several veteran stars and young talents are fielded purely for their batting or bowling — Kohli's declaration felt both personal and philosophical. Virat Kohli's love for 'dhaba' food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories Was it a veiled message to those choosing to limit their roles? Or simply a reflection of his enduring intensity and commitment? 'I'm so very grateful for this victory. So thankful to God for giving it in my lap finally tonight,' Kohli concluded, adding another emotional layer to a night that saw RCB, and their captain-in-spirit, finally crowned champions. Either way, Virat Kohli has once again reminded everyone why he remains more than just a name on the team sheet.
