LeBron James in third place: Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal ranks top 10 basketball players in NBA history

Shaquille O’Neal, a revered Los Angeles Lakers legend, has become a prominent voice in NBA commentary on television. Renowned as one of the greatest players in the league during the 1990s and 2000s, O’Neal now leverages his extensive experience to offer insights on current teams. Recently, he didn’t shy away from discussing the much-debated topic of the NBA’s all-time top 10 “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) players.

O’Neal’s outspoken and candid style has made him a fixture on TV programs and his own podcast, where he frequently contrasts today’s game with the NBA of yesteryear. With his firsthand experience playing alongside some of the game’s greats, O’Neal shared his top 10 GOAT list in collaboration with Netflix, spotlighting the history of the league.

Let’s delve into the top three players on O’Neal’s list: Michael Jordan claims the top spot, followed by Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. These choices align with common debates in basketball circles, but O’Neal also acknowledges the contributions of other historic figures.

The rest of O’Neal’s top 10

O’Neal’s list delivers few surprises, yet it conspicuously omits Stephen Curry, a player some fans regard as a GOAT contender. Instead, Shaquille opted to honor other iconic names from NBA history, leaving several current stars out of the discussion.

4. Magic Johnson
5. Bill Russell
6. Wilt Chamberlain
7. Larry Bird
8. Hakeem Olajuwon
9. Tim Duncan
10. Julius Erving

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These legends shaped NBA history with their unique skills and achievements. Notably, O’Neal excluded himself from the list, although he initially considered placing himself 10th.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar snubbed by O’Neal

Perhaps the most contentious point of O’Neal’s list was the omission of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Despite being a key figure alongside Magic Johnson for the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar did not make O’Neal’s top 10 GOAT list.

The roster O’Neal assembled certainly holds its own weight, but excluding Abdul-Jabbar has sparked social media debates. While this omission doesn’t detract from Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy, it highlights the evolving nature of the greatest players’ conversation in basketball lore.