Lakers legend Wilt Chamberlain is left out of the GOAT debate by another former icon of the franchise

One of the debates that will endure across generations is who deserves to be considered among the greatest of all time in the NBA. As the league evolves, more names will inevitably enter the conversation. Despite the passing decades, Wilt Chamberlain continues to be viewed by many as one of the most dominant forces in league history. However, a fellow Los Angeles Lakers legend doesn’t see it that way.

Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back a bold opinion, and his latest take on Chamberlain is reigniting the GOAT conversation. During a recent episode of The Big Podcast, the topic turned to all-time greats—and O’Neal quickly excluded Chamberlain from the top tier. His reasoning was short and direct: “He only had two.”

That brief comment set off one of the most polarizing exchanges in recent memory. Shaq’s argument leaned heavily on championship rings—a metric many players, analysts, and fans use as the ultimate measuring stick for greatness.

Chamberlain, despite his jaw-dropping stats and unmatched physical dominance, finished his career with just two NBA titles—one with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and another with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972.

Shaq speaks onstage during Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2025 Upfront Presentation at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 14, 2025 in New York City.

Still, Chamberlain’s résumé is nothing short of astonishing. He won two MVP awards, claimed seven scoring titles, led the league in rebounds 11 times, and even led in assists once—something no other center has ever accomplished.

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He remains the only player in NBA history to average over 50 points per game in a single season (50.4 in 1961–62), and of course, he famously scored 100 points in a game that same year. Across his 14-year career, he earned 13 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA honors, and made two All-Defensive Teams.

But for Shaq, the debate comes down to a simple distinction: he doesn’t believe dominance automatically equals greatness. While he continues to respect Chamberlain’s physical dominance and historic statistical output, O’Neal draws a clear line between being dominant and being the greatest of all time.