Shaquille O’Neal did not seem to like LaMelo Ball’s response when asked for his expectations about the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.
The Wolves kicked off the new NBA campaign with a very impressive 131-106 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Ball was one of those who impressed, but what he said about his expectations for the season seemed to have rubbed O’Neal the wrong way.
Shaquille O’Neal baffled by LaMelo Ball’s comment on the Minnesota Timberwolves
Every player on every team will have a goal in mind ahead of the new campaign, but not everyone is brave enough to say it out loud.
Ball may just fall into that category.
Ahead of the Timberwolves’ opener against the Heat, the former NBA All-Star appeared on Inside the NBA to talk about the new season, among other things.
One of the questions put in front of him was about his expectations for the T-Wolves this season, but Ball gave nothing away in his response.
“I don’t really throw expectations on nothing. I just go out there and give it my all, try to be the best we can be, and let that be where it’s at,” he told Ernie Johnson.
O’Neal was having none of that and claimed that Ball should change his mentality if he and his team are to achieve anything meaningful this season.
The Hall of Famer said: “His mindset needs to change. I was kind of baffled by that answer. At least say playoffs or something. Expectations for them are to win a championship.
“You have a guy that, if he plays well, will be talked about as MVP (Anthony Edwards), and if everything goes well with their role players and Rudy Gobert has one or two breakout games like he had last year, then they have a chance to make some noise in the West.
“But for that, (Ball) needs to change his mindset.”
Ball did what he had to do brilliantly in the Wolves’ opener to help his side get off to a winning start. Next up is a game against the Orlando Magic, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his good form.
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