Shaquille O’Neal Didn’t Hesitate When Naming the NBA’s Best Player of All Time

Shaquille O’Neal Didn’t Hesitate When Naming the NBA’s Best Player of All Time originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Before he was an analyst for TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” Shaquille O’Neal was lighting it up on the court.

During his 19-year career, O’Neal won four NBA championships, including a three-peat with the Los Angeles Lakers. But his stellar resume doesn’t end there, adding an MVP, 15 All-Star and 14 All-NBA selections.

Yet not many fans believe O’Neal is in consideration for the NBA’s best player of all time. That conversation usually is between Lakers star LeBron James and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

In his 22 years, LeBron is top ten in nearly every statistical category, including the record for most career points. He was able to win four NBA championships with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers, along with four NBA MVPs.

NBA analyst and former player Shaquille O’Neal. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Jordan, on the other hand, only played in 15 seasons, yet created arguably the greatest dynasty in league history. In the ’90s, Jordan helped the Bulls pull off two separate three-peats, ending his championship count at six. He also beats out LeBron in MVP awards with five.

But O’Neal seems to think one of these players is better. On Tuesday, he sat down with Netflix Sports and named his top 10 players of all time, ranking Jordan as No. 1.

“And number one, the greatest player of all time is Michael Jordan,” O’Neal said.

Despite the aforementioned GOAT debate, O’Neal seems to think it isn’t close. In fact, he has LeBron ranked as the No. 3 best player of all time, with Kobe Bryant at No. 2.

O’Neal knows a thing or two about facing both Jordan and LeBron. He went 5–6 against Jordan and 11–6 against LeBron, even playing alongside LeBron during his time with the Cavaliers.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.