Shaquille O'Neal Criticizes Knicks Star Karl-Anthony Towns' Inconsistent Play

The NBA legend says he's unsure which version of Towns will show up for the Knicks this season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:10am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, orange, and other colors, representing the contrasting styles and perspectives of Shaquille O'Neal and Karl-Anthony Towns.A cubist interpretation of the ongoing debate between Shaquille O'Neal and Karl-Anthony Towns' inconsistent play, capturing the tension and energy of their contrasting styles and perspectives.NYC Today

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has voiced concerns about the inconsistent play of New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns. O'Neal, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, believes Towns has the talent to dominate but has been too passive and uneven in his performances over the past couple of seasons. The Knicks' success this year may hinge on which version of Towns shows up, the dominant scorer or the invisible player, according to O'Neal.

Why it matters

As one of the most respected big men in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal's criticism of Towns carries significant weight. The Knicks are banking on Towns to be a consistent force alongside Jalen Brunson, and O'Neal's doubts about Towns' reliability could be a cause for concern for the team and its fans.

The details

O'Neal, known for his own dominant play in the post during his Hall of Fame career, has been hard on fellow big men throughout his time as an analyst. He believes Towns has the talent to beat any opponent but has been too passive and inconsistent in recent years. O'Neal questioned whether the Knicks will get the 'tiger' version of Towns who can take over games or the 'cat' version who disappears at times.

  • The comments were made on O'Neal's podcast, 'The Big Podcast', ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The players

Shaquille O'Neal

A legendary NBA center and four-time NBA champion who is now an analyst and podcast host.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The star center for the New York Knicks, known for his offensive versatility but criticized for his inconsistent play.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who is expected to team up with Towns to lead the team's playoff push.

Mike Brown

The Knicks' head coach, who has implemented a new role for Towns that has led to increased criticism of the big man's performance.

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What they’re saying

“You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don't know which KAT Imma get. Am I going to get a tiger or am I going to get a cat?”

— Shaquille O'Neal, NBA Legend

“Seriously, sometimes he plays phenomenal, and other times he's nowhere to be found. If he plays like I know he can play, imma go with the Knicks, but he hasn't shown me that in the last couple of years.”

— Shaquille O'Neal, NBA Legend

What’s next

As the Knicks prepare for the upcoming season, the team and its fans will be closely monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns' performances to see if he can provide the consistent dominance that Shaquille O'Neal believes he is capable of.

The takeaway

Shaquille O'Neal's criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns' inconsistency highlights the high expectations placed on the Knicks' star center. If Towns can find more consistency and live up to his immense potential, it could be a key factor in the Knicks' success this season. However, O'Neal's doubts underscore the challenges Towns faces in proving he can be a reliable, game-changing presence for New York.