Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal both enjoyed periods of dominance that very few other players in the NBA have. The two were incredible in their ways, and Shaq’s first 6 seasons in the league coincided with Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ dominance in the league. He didn’t win till later in his career, but even as a youngster, O’Neal was still making All-Star teams and dominating in his fashion.
The duo never teamed up or anything, although Shaq, in his prime, played with the closest thing to Michael Jordan in Kobe Bryant. Kobe modeled his game after MJ and aimed to surpass his idol, so a lot of his game was quite similar. But for those that still wondered what it would be like if Shaq had teamed up with MJ, the 1996 All-Star game provided a glimpse.
A clip of MJ and Shaq linking up during the game recently went viral, and fans were quick to react to the video.
“This scene alone shows how unfair a Shaq-MJ duo would’ve been.”
“Thank God prime MJ, prime Shaq, and prime Kobe never in the same team.”
“Second dude didn’t stand a chance.”
“Wish All-Star games were played fr.”
“That’s why Kobe n Shaq worked so well.”
“Bruh.. MJ and Shaq yikessss.”
“If these two played together MJ would have played till he was 50.”
“MJ, Shaq, Pippen and any 2 walmart cashiers…82-0.”
“He just caught that one hand and threw a dot mid air what the hell.”
“To think Shaq is probably the only person to play with MJ, Kobe, and LeBron.”
“Man listen, if Jordan had Shaq history books would be unbreakable.”
“They’d easily be a better duo then any other 2 players in history.”
In an era where superstars often team up with one another, it might even have been a possibility. But both Shaq and MJ were too competitive and would likely not have been able to coexist on the same team for too long either. The idea that defenders might have had to face both is frightening, though, and the entire 90s NBA is possibly thankful that it never happened.
