How Donovan Mitchell’s ‘aight’ response to Shaq’s criticism became a battle cry on social media

Shaquille O’Neal created quite a stir when he questioned if the Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell is nothing more than a scorer — “But if he’s not scoring, what else can he do?,” Shaq said — during TNT’s broadcast of the Jazz’s victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday night.

The criticism elicited a sharp response on social media.

Here’s what Shaq said to Mitchell in a postgame interview, and Mitchell’s response:

“I said tonight that you are one of my favorite players but you don’t have what it takes to get to the next level,” O’Neal said. “I said it on purpose and wanted you to hear it. What do you have to say about that?”

Mitchell replied, “Aight.”

Mitchell’s current team showed they backed up their All-Star guard.

So did his former team.

Some Twitter users started sharing apparel ideas emblazoned with the catchy slogan from Mitchell.

Joe Ingles even responded to one of the apparel designs, saying, “I need this.”

New Jazz owner Ryan Smith didn’t use the word “aight” to defend the Utah guard, but, of course, a response to him — designed like the Jazz logo — certainly did.

Oh, and it wouldn’t be a viral moment this week without a Bernie Sanders meme.

And a slightly modified one later.