NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal called out the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office in a profanity-laced rant for failing to utilize sophomore wing Emoni Bates. According to O’Neal, the former No. 1 recruit could have been a difference-maker in the Eastern Conference heavyweight’s failed 2025 NBA title pursuit.
Cleveland enjoyed a successful regular season, securing the East’s No. 1 seed behind its second-best record in franchise history (64-18). However, the Donovan Mitchell-led squad flamed out in the postseason’s second round, falling in five games to the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers (50-32).
Bates, a two-way contract player who was once regarded as an elite offensive-minded college basketball prospect, didn’t suit up during the Cavaliers’ brief playoff run. Nearly a month after the team’s early elimination, O’Neal attempted to set the record straight on Bates’ NBA upside.
Shaquille O’Neal Calls for Emoni Bates to Receive More Playing Time
On Thursday’s episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal introduced a “new segment” titled “What the f**k are you doing?” The Hall of Famer proceeded to blast Cleveland general manager Mike Gansey for Bates’ lack of playing time.
The 2023 No. 49 pick split his first two seasons between the Cavaliers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge. However, he played sparingly at the NBA level, averaging just 8.3 minutes a night across 25 outings.
“To the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager, what the f**k are you doing? Why is Emoni Bates in the f**king G-League?” O’Neal said. “What the f**k is going on?”
The big man noted that Bates proved his value during the Cavaliers’ regular-season finale against the Pacers. The 21-year-old tallied a career-best 25 points, six rebounds and seven 3-pointers, shooting 9-for-19 (47.4%) off the bench as Cleveland fell 126-118 at home in double overtime.
To the Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager,
What the f**k are you doing? pic.twitter.com/Hbf8MNPRPa
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 8, 2025
“This motherf**ker can play,” O’Neal said. “The last game you put him in, he had what, seven 3s? Don’t you think you need that for a f**king championship? Whoever you are, general manager for Cleveland, what the f**k are you doing?”
O’Neal added that Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson should also be looking to Bates for additional scoring. “If I’m a coach, I want all the scorers I can,” O’Neal said. “That motherf**ker can play. He’s been in the G-League for what, two years?”
While Cleveland finished with a league-best 121.0 regular-season offensive rating, it struggled to match Indiana’s depth and firepower in Round 2. As such, O’Neal’s argument that Bates at least warrants a consistent bench role may hold weight.
Bates Responds to O’Neal’s Callout of Cavaliers’ GM
After O’Neal’s expletive-laden rant went viral on X, Bates responded to the four-time NBA champion. He expressed gratitude for the shoutout and vowed to continue carving out his pathway in the league.
“All love OG @SHAQ appreciate the love. Work gone show,” Bates tweeted on Sunday.
all love OG @SHAQ appreciate the love 💯work gone show 💯 https://t.co/DTVEFopyb1
— Emoni Bates (@BatesEmoni) June 9, 2025
With salary-cap restrictions potentially making it difficult for Cleveland to retain all of its key players, Bates could be in store for a larger role in Year 3. According to Atkinson, his shooting will likely determine his NBA future.
“He’s gotten better from the beginning of the season,” Atkinson said. “Beginning of the season, he was trying to find his way. When you have a guy who can long-range shoot like him, there’s a place for him in this league.”
Across 10 contests this season, Bates averaged 3.7 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.1 3-pointers per game, shooting 34.2%, including 36.7% from deep.
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