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CHICAGO – APRIL 24: (L-R) Antoine Walker #8, Shaquille O’Neal #32 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat sit on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 107-89. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO – APRIL 24: (L-R) Antoine Walker #8, Shaquille O’Neal #32 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat sit on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 107-89. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The most awaited part of the NBA season, the playoffs are just around the corner. With the majority of the NBA season done and dusted, teams are looking forward to the playoffs. One of the best teams in the league, the Miami Heat, can possibly face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs and Shaquille O’Neal is confident regarding his former team.
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Apr 24, 2007 – Chicago, IL, USA – NBA Basketball: Miami Heat DWYANE WADE, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL against Chicago Bulls in Chicago at the United Center on April 24, 2007. The Bulls won 107-89. (Photo by Jay Drowns/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
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Talking on the popular Inside the NBA show, Shaq let the world know about this possible matchup. According to the four-time NBA champion, Miami will go all out to defeat the Nets.
Shaquille O’Neal talks about the Nets vs. Heat matchup
Although the Brooklyn Nets are 8th in their conference, they are still a formidable opponent. The team has superstars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons. On the other hand, the Miami Heat are one of the best teams in the league and lead their conference.
After facing losses after losses, the Nets are looking to be finally back on track. Star player Kevin Durant is finally fit to play again, which has helped improve the lineup considerably.
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Mar 3, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots as Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21) and Caleb Martin (16) look on during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The Heat, on the other hand, is one of the best teams in the league. With brilliant performances from Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, the team from South Beach is looking towards a fourth title.
The two teams can possibly face each other in the first round of the playoffs and the panelists on the Inside the NBA show talked about this possible matchup. Popular basketball player Candace Parker talked about the match said, “They [Brooklyn Nets] are capable of winning. This is not a matchup that Miami wants to see in the first round.”
"Miami wants all that smoke. Cut it out." 😅@SHAQ doesn't think the Heat are worried about meeting the Nets in the first round of the playoffs pic.twitter.com/ITB2saOC6n
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 9, 2022
Former Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal quickly replied, “Miami wants all that smoke. Cut it out. They want the smoke. They ain’t scared of nobody.” Despite spending the best part of his career in the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaq spent a crucial part of his career playing in South Beach.
By the look of things, it seems that there is still love between Shaquille O’Neal and the franchise. In four seasons with the Heat, Shaq averaged 19.6 points, 2.1 assists, and 9.1 rebounds. Along with a young Dwyane Wade, Shaq led the Miami Heat to their first title in 2006.
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Do you agree with what Shaquille O’Neal has to say? Let us know in the comments below.
