Shawn Bradley -- arguably the most posterized player in NBA history -- has an important message for this generation's slam dunk victims ... your heads are in the right place!!
We talked hoops with the 7-footer at LAX ... and our conversation eventually got to the thing he's most famous for -- being on the receiving end of soul-crushing jams.
Turns out, Bradley's damn proud of it -- telling TMZ Sports that putting yourself in harm's way is the mark of a true baller.
"Watching some of these young guys, the ones that don't shy away -- it's OK to get dunked on, just go get 'em next time -- that attitude is the one I think is refreshing," Bradley said.
Shawn also told us his most memorable poster ... and we ain't surprised.