Shaquille O’Neal’s Hilarious Reaction to Draymond Green’s Advice for Daniel Gafford

In a light-hearted moment during TNT’s *Inside the NBA* segment, Shaquille O’Neal delivered a Hilarious Reaction to Draymond Green’s post-game advice for Dallas Mavericks’ center Daniel Gafford. The interaction followed the Mavericks’ Game 3 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, a match in which Gafford’s performance was overshadowed by a spectacular dunk from Anthony Edwards.

Despite a modest stat line of five points and three rebounds in 29 minutes, Daniel Gafford has been a significant defensive presence for the Mavericks throughout the postseason, notably contributing five blocks in Game 2. This defensive prowess caught the attention of Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, who was part of the *Inside the NBA* panel.

After the Mavericks’ win, Gafford joined the panel for a post-game discussion. In a supportive and insightful moment, Green offered Gafford advice on handling pressure situations and maintaining composure. Green said, “I don’t have a question, I just want to give you something. Any time you catch the ball in the pocket, you are not comfortable going forward. You got Derrick Jones that way, you got uphill back to the guy who just passed you. Then they push you in a lot of situations where you’re getting dunked. So if you feel uncomfortable with that, just know you can go to that, and I think you have been doing a great job. It’s beautiful to see you play that way of basketball.”

dope to hear draymond give daniel gafford some tips pic.twitter.com/EVuqhvGgBS

— Chris Montano (@gswchris) May 27, 2024

True to his larger-than-life personality, Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t resist injecting humor into the moment. After Green’s detailed advice, Shaq quipped, “Draymond Van Gundy,” playfully comparing Green to NBA coaching brothers Stan and Jeff Van Gundy, known for their analytical approach to the game. Shaq’s comment sparked laughter from the entire panel and set a jovial tone for the remainder of the discussion.

The Dallas Mavericks delivered a dominant performance against the Timberwolves, asserting control from the opening tip-off. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic each scored 33 points, leading the Mavericks to a commanding victory. The Timberwolves struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in their shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns had a particularly rough night, hitting only 5 of his 18 attempts from the field and missing all eight of his three-point shots.

Anthony Edwards emerged as the standout performer for Minnesota, posting an impressive stat line of 26 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds. Edwards’ explosive play in the third quarter kept the Timberwolves within striking distance, but ultimately, the clutch performances of Doncic and Irving secured the win for Dallas.

With the series now at 3-0 in favor of the Mavericks, they are on the cusp of their first NBA Finals appearance since their championship run in 2011. Historically, no NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a conference finals series, placing the Mavericks in a highly advantageous position. Game 5 is set to take place at the Target Center on May 29, where Dallas will aim to close out the series and advance to the Finals.

The exchange between Draymond Green and Daniel Gafford, punctuated by Shaquille O’Neal’s comedic timing, exemplifies the unique blend of analysis and entertainment that *Inside the NBA* offers. Green’s advice highlights the importance of mentorship and the sharing of knowledge among players, even those on different teams. Meanwhile, Shaq’s humor underscores the camaraderie and light-heartedness that can exist alongside intense competition.

As for the Mavericks, their strong performance in the series against the Timberwolves underscores the formidable duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Their ability to consistently deliver under pressure bodes well for Dallas as they edge closer to the NBA Finals. The anticipation for Game 5 is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting to see if the Mavericks can seal the series and make history with another Finals appearance.