"But that is the only thing that slows me down is the system. No one, two or three was big enough to slow me down, only the system. It was the system that slowed me down to make my numbers fall. Not because I am older"

Shaquille O'Neal is describing the system of basketball that he was a part of. He is stating that no one person or group of individuals had the ability to slow him down, however the system of basketball was. He is indicating that the system of basketball was developed to limit his success and make his numbers fall. He is likewise implying that he is still capable of performing at a high level, however the system of basketball is preventing him from doing so. He is suggesting that the system of basketball is outdated and is not enabling him to reach his complete capacity. He is likewise suggesting that his age is not the factor for his decline in performance, but rather the system of basketball. He is implying that if the system of basketball was more modern-day and allowed him to reach his full capacity, he would still be carrying out at a high level.