Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James are two of the most dominant players in NBA history, using different methods but still demolishing rivals during their honored careers.
Although they played together on the Cleveland Cavaliers, they didn’t find success, as Shaq was in the last years of his career, while LeBron was entering the best years of his.
Curiously, these two legends are often pitted against each other, given their dominance and all the hype surrounding them before entering the league. Recently, one Redditor made an interesting question about who would go No. 1 overall pick if Shaq and Bron were in the same draft class.
This question transcended the barriers of Reddit and fans debated it on social media.
Two of the most hyped NBA prospects ever: Shaq and LeBron.
If they were in the same draft class, who would have went No. 1 overall?
(h/t Snypse/Reddit) pic.twitter.com/JtQUV5hZI5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 9, 2021
While some sided with LeBron given his well-rounded style of play, O’Neal’s dominance convinced others to go with him. Even The Big Diesel shared a couple of comments supporting his case on his Instagram stories.
Shaq, because the Blazers picking Oden over Durant proved that front offices can’t resist a potential superstar big
— Kevo (@Kevin_AP7) October 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/JamesEdrick3/status/1446642477893570564
If this is anytime before about 2008. The answer is shaq. Them softening the rules and basically eliminating the center made it far easier for LeBron. Plus he couldn't survive the physicality before that
— StormKing8190 (@MistaFlame) October 9, 2021
Who stopped Shaq? Iggy and Kawhi stop Bron
— Evan (@EvanHighLow) October 9, 2021
Nobody remembers an ESPN televised high school game of Shaq.
I rest my case
— Pistol Pete⏱ (@PeteOfTheMoment) October 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/goofy_hooper24/status/1446893297704652802https://twitter.com/That___Kidd/status/1446839827043954690
The 3 level scorer over the dominant paint beast.
Slightly.
— Dillon_Moon ⚪️ (@Dillon_Moon) October 9, 2021
If it was the 2003 draft and Cavs had No. 1, it would’ve been LeBron. Any other draft, it would be Shaq.
— Chris Milholen (@ChrisMilholen) October 9, 2021
Shaq. A lot of people preferred both Carmelo and Darko in LeBron's draft. O'Neil was unanimous. I think I heard one person say Latener was just as good, that's all. Even though LeBron was the best prospect I've ever seen, I would pick Shaq due to his higher floor. #BustProtection
— Spearman (@Jimmygotsoul) October 9, 2021
Same Draft class? Probably LeBron. His handles with the ball makes him much more versatile than Shaq. But considering the Magic got both Shaq and Penny Hardaway in the same Draft they might’ve lucked up and got both of them considering how loaded that 92 draft class was.
— tzford (@tzford) October 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/verycoldtakes/status/1446669013212282889
Damn that's tough. Depends on the era and which team was selecting with that 1st pick. Personally i would pick Bron but I'm a biased fan.
— 🕸🃏 Shawn Po 🃏🕸 (@DJFingers9) October 9, 2021
In the 90’s? Shaq. Now? Lebron. Athletic forwards are much more coveted in today’s game than big centers with no outside game.
— JC (@PointGuardLife8) October 9, 2021
If they were the same age, Bron would have no chance of going over Shaq until sometime in the late 2010's. Every team before then would've drafted Shaq first. But Shaq and Bron both were drafted by weak franchises, then left for better prospects, so only matters if pre-CBA era.
— Sneaky Fantasy BBall (@sneakyfantasybb) October 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/BirdGangCylow/status/1446880609985568770
Just 3 years ago we saw Ayton AND Bagley chosen over Luka and Trae so that’s not true. Teams would likely have taken Shaq over Bron.
— Kevin Wayne (@kaygtwo) October 9, 2021
In the early 90’s, Shaq… centers we’re all the rage. In the early 2000’s, still Shaq. But, the team that drafted him might have second thoughts after seeing the player Bron became and how the game developed.
— BHandaman (@bhandaman) October 9, 2021
Shaq, easily.
— MyTweetsAreWEAK (@RF11_82) October 9, 2021
Bron. He can play in any era and his longevity is much longer. And I'm not a LeBron stan
— T Gil (@06Boileralum) October 9, 2021
Can’t be mad at picking Shaq first but I’m sure when that team saw Lebron, The GM would be second guessing himself all game long
— black kev (@_The_Juggernaut) October 9, 2021
I’m taking the player with the longest prime ever. Longer prime = more years to contend.
— browgoatjames (@browgoatjames) October 9, 2021
Shaq. All day. Everyday. Twice on Sunday’s. Lebron was out of HS but might have been a different story of he attended college also.
— Mo Niazi (@mirniazi) October 9, 2021
This would have been a problematic situation for any GM in the league. We’re talking about two players that made an immediate impact on the association and their respective teams.
People are constantly wondering how LeBron would have fared if he played in the 90s. Maybe, he could have given us incredible duels against Shaq, trying to become the greatest player of his generation.
