Shaquille O'Neal launches Dunkman league and critiques NBA landscape

Shaquille O’Neal is launching Dunkman, a new professional league dedicated to the world’s top dunk specialists. Partnering with Chuck Millan and Team Flight Brothers, O’Neal aims to provide a professional platform for elite dunkers during the summer months, outside the standard NBA season. He expressed dissatisfaction with recent NBA Slam Dunk Contests, suggesting that modern dunkers possess high-level skills that deserve professional-grade competition.

Separately, O’Neal has voiced high expectations for the Philadelphia 76ers following the addition of LeBron James to a roster featuring Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey. Describing the team’s outlook as “championship or bust,” O’Neal challenged Joel Embiid to reclaim his status as a premier big man. While some league executives expressed skepticism regarding the impact of the aging James, O’Neal maintains that the roster possesses all the necessary components to win a title immediately.