In a chat with the German-based Sport Bild, Shaquille O’Neal revealed his NBA All-Time starting five. The list, which included himself, went viral after fans realized that LeBron James did not make the final cut.
Dirk Schlickmann: “What is your personal best starting five of all time?”
Shaquille O’Neal: “Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dr. J, Karl Malone and [myself].”
It’s a pretty solid list based on pure talent and skill but not to include LeBron James is a scorching hot take and many fans are struggling to understand how he could possibly hold that opinion.
While James is as talented and accomplished as they come, O’Neal says that it was all about Jordan when he was coming up and that nobody can surpass the legends who he came up idolizing; guys like Michael, Dr. J, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Dirk Schlickmann: “Who is the greatest player of all time: Michael Jordan or LeBron James?”
Shaquille O’Neal: “When I was a child, Drs. J (Julius Erving) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the measure of all things,” said O’Neal. “When I was in college, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the best. When I came to the NBA, Michael Jordan dominated. After that came Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. But for me the greatest of all time is Michael Jordan.”
Shaquille O’Neal has more authority than most to rank the NBA’s best athletes. As one of the greatest big men in the game, his career reached legendary status as a 4x champion, and even decades after his retirement, O’Neal’s reputation as a dominant force has never been forgotten.
With unmatched confidence and faith in his greatness, it’s no wonder that Shaq chose himself to be on his All-Time starting five, but Michael Jordan was the first name out of his mouth.
As a 6x champion, 5x MVP, and 14x All-Star, Michael’s status as one of the greatest players ever is not up for debate. As a leader of a dynasty with the Bulls, Jordan reached the pinnacle of basketball success and his dominance has yet to be matched. For many, including Shaq, he’s the undisputed GOAT of the sport with career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 49.7% shooting.
After everything he’s done, Kobe Bryant isn’t too far behind him. The 5x champion was a menace during his prime and his fearless tenacity on the court made him an intimidating force to anyone standing in his way. As his former teammate, O’Neal saw Bryant’s impact on the Lakers firsthand and he still raves about his game now over four years after his death.
Julius Erving is not a common name brought up in the GOAT discussion but Shaq had a special appreciation for his game as a quick and explosive forward who constantly attacked the rim. O’Neal still recalls his dreamlike experience meeting Erving for the first time, and it’s clear that his career made a strong impression on the superstar big man.
Arguably the most surprising name on the list is Karl Malone. LeBron James could have easily taken that final spot with his resume as a 4x champion, 4x MVP, and 20x All-Star, but O’Neal seems to have a certain respect for Malone’s game that he lacks with King James. According to Shaq, players don’t fear LeBron like they do with Jordan and Bryant.
While Malone is undoubtedly one of the best players ever at his position (only behind Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett) he didn’t win a single championship during his NBA career and his character is a major concern after it was revealed that he impregnated a 12-year-old girl.
Compare that with LeBron James, whose record is completely clean, and it really makes you wonder if Shaq has something personal against the 39-year-old superstar and if there’s anything he can do to prove himself as a top-five player in the game.
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