Shaquille O’Neal has once again set the basketball world abuzz with his latest Instagram post, where he revealed his personal ranking of the top 10 centers in NBA history. The Diesel, never shy about voicing his opinions, proudly shared the list alongside a simple caption: “Thank You.”
It was a reminder of both his respect for the game’s legends and his own confidence in his place among them.
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2. Shaquille O’Neal
3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Bill Russell
5. Hakeem Olajuwon
6. David Robinson
7. Nikola Jokic
8. Moses Malone
9. Patrick Ewing
10. George Mikan
At the top of Shaq’s list sits Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA champion, six-time MVP, and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023. Kareem’s legendary skyhook, combined with his longevity and dominance over two decades, makes him an undisputed choice for the number one spot.
Shaq placed himself second, a move that is both self-assured and hard to argue against. With four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, and an unmatched physical presence, O’Neal’s prime remains one of the most dominant stretches the league has ever witnessed.
Wilt Chamberlain, famous for his record-shattering performances like the iconic 100-point game, ranks third on Shaq’s list. Interestingly, while Shaq respects Wilt’s numbers and physicality, he recently stated that Chamberlain’s two championships weren’t enough to put him in the greatest-of-all-time debate.
Bill Russell, with an unmatched 11 NBA championships, takes fourth place, while Hakeem Olajuwon rounds out the top five. Hakeem’s finesse, footwork, and defensive prowess, including two Defensive Player of the Year awards, clearly left a mark on Shaq, who has always praised “The Dream” for schooling him in the 1995 NBA Finals.
David Robinson comes in sixth, followed by current Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic at number seven. Jokic, already a three-time MVP and one-time NBA champion, has rapidly climbed into all-time conversations due to his unique combination of passing, scoring, and basketball IQ.
Moses Malone, a three-time MVP and one of the most relentless rebounders in history, ranks eighth, while Patrick Ewing, the New York Knicks legend and Hall of Famer, claims ninth. George Mikan, the NBA’s first true big man star who dominated the early days of the league in the 1950s, closes out Shaq’s list at number ten.
Alongside his rankings, O’Neal sparked additional conversation with some bold statements during a recent media appearance. He confidently claimed that he would have won three championships even if Kobe Bryant had been replaced with Tracy McGrady as his co-star during the Lakers’ three-peat era.
Shaq also went a step further, suggesting that pairing with Vince Carter would have netted him two titles, and teaming up with Stephen Curry would have brought him six championships. These remarks, while hypothetical, highlight just how highly Shaq values his own dominance and the potential impact of elite perimeter players.
Shaq’s list is sure to ignite debates among fans, particularly regarding Jokic’s placement ahead of older legends and the exclusion of names like Dwight Howard or Alonzo Mourning. Still, when one of the game’s most dominant centers speaks, the basketball world listens and debates.
