Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: NBA, Shaquille ONeal
Alex Chivers
Shaquille O'Neal didn't hesitate when naming the two NBA players who will be playing with a 'chip on their shoulder' this season.
The 2024/25 NBA season started on Tuesday with some marquee matchups and superstar names in action.
On the West Coast, LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father son duo to play in the NBA.
Meanwhile, in Boston, last season’s title winning Celtics received their Championship rings before beating the New York Knicks 132-109.
Advert
And Shaq believes there are two players with extra motivation to help the Celtics run it back and achieve back to back titles.
He told TNT Sports: "Boston has a lot of motivation. A lot of things were done at the Olympics.
"Jaylen Brown didn't make the Olympics, Jayson Tatum didn't play at the Olympics.
“Those two are going to have a chip on their shoulder.
"It's not really pressure, it's how do you want to be remembered? Do you want to just do one [NBA championship], or do you want to go back-to-back, or possibly back-to-back-to-back?"
Brown was a surprise omission from the USA’s Olympic squad for Paris 2024, especially after being named the NBA finals MVP in June for standout performances against the Dallas Mavericks.
Tatum was also benched in two of the six games in the Olympics as Team USA won gold.
But Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is happy to have his stars back with a little more to prove.
"In real time, it was tough, but I talked to Joe a lot," Tatum told NBC Sports Boston.
"Joe was probably the happiest person in the world, that I didn't win Finals MVP, and that I didn't play in two of the games of the Olympics."
Brown himself admitted he does search for any additional factors that could add more fuel to his competitive fire on the floor.
“As a competitor, you're always looking for any key identifiers that could help you be motivated, stay motivated, and add to that chip on your shoulder,” he added.
“I'm that type of guy already. I'm always looking for something. But when things don't go your way or when those voices get louder, it makes you wake up even more to drive and be better.”