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Shaq gives Utah Jazz unexpected show of respect

Shaquille O'Neal respects Utah Jazz (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

It sounds as if Shaquille O’Neal is making nice with a few Utah Jazz stars.

Appearing on ESPN’s First Take this week, Shaquille O’Neal told Stephen A. Smith that he sees the Utah Jazz as the No. 1 threat to the Los Angeles Lakers “superteam” in the Western Conference next season.

Considering the somewhat harsh words that O’Neal has directed toward Utah centerpieces Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the past, the big man’s apparent sudden belief in the franchise’s 2021-22 potential came as a complete surprise to many viewers.