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Detroit Pistons Standout Has Perfect Response to Shaq’s Comments

Jalen Duren responded to Shaq's comments about the Detroit Pistons.
Mar 3, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) brings the ball up the court against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Mar 3, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) brings the ball up the court against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has made it clear that he doesn’t care to tune in to watch the Detroit Pistons play this season. Despite the team making a miraculous turnaround and being considered one of the most exciting squads to watch this year by NBA fans and analysts, Shaq isn’t moved.

In fact, he claims the Pistons are “boring.”

Shaq commented on the Pistons twice this week. Both times, he didn’t even have his facts straight.

After realizing the Pistons were not “four games under .500” as he initially claimed, he remained critical of Detroit.

“You want to brag about a team that’s 32-26? Stop it. That’s not success. 40-20. We talked about it. Bro, Detroit Pistons ain’t winning no [expletive] championship. Stop it,” said the former NBA Champion.

After Shaq caught heat for his comments, he addressed the Pistons once more during a segment on TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA.’ While he gave credit to Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, Shaq issued props to the wrong head coach.

“I like what Chauncey [Billups] is doing,” said Shaq. “Chauncey’s the coach, right? … First of all, I don’t watch Detroit, how about that? I don’t watch them. I messed up. I made a mistake.”

Once again, Shaq caught plenty of heat on social media for his lack of knowledge regarding the Pistons. While fans have grown frustrated over the situation, Detroit standout Jalen Duren had the perfect response to Shaq’s comments.

via @E_Woodyard: I asked #Pistons C Jalen Duren about Shaq calling them “boring.” Duren said he’s big on earning the league's respect and won’t shy away from expectations. “When it’s time, I just want both the clips back-to-back of when he realizes we’re here and when he act like he didn’t know.”

The Pistons have every right to feel slighted by a notable analyst’s lack of interest. While they haven’t been must-see TV in past seasons, especially since Duren landed on the rebuilding team, the Pistons deserve the attention of the masses this year.

Instead of feeling negative, Duren and the Pistons are taking the comments in stride and using them as motivation as their impressive 2024-2025 campaign winds down. The expectation is that the Pistons will hold a 4-6 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs come April. They have an opportunity to continue shocking the basketball world as the postseason approaches.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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