It was just a few days ago when the ShaqFu Radio blog posted about the Big Man’s latest list. This time it was his all-time, top-10 list of NBA centers. Of course he included himself on the list! Well, now the comments and analysis is starting to flow in – flood might be a better word – on the rankings. Who’s on the list, who got left off, and what positions those on it landed at.
Let’s be honest… It’s not a Shaquille O’Neal list unless it stirs up a little controversy — and that’s exactly what happened! At the top of the list? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which most folks can live with. Right behind him at No. 2? None other than Diesel himself — Shaq.
That meant Shaq put himself ahead of some serious legends, including Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Nikola Jokic. Rounding out his top 10: David Robinson, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, and George Mikan.
As expected, the post lit up the comment section like it was Game 7 of the Finals.
Fans Had Something to Say—Especially About Hakeem and Jokic
The loudest complaints? Many felt Shaq ranked Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon way too low. The Houston Rockets legend is still considered one of the most complete big men to ever touch the hardwood — a guy who could hit the midrange, lock down the paint, and make even elite players look like rookies in the post.
“Hakeem was better than Shaq,” one fan wrote bluntly.
Another chimed in, “There’s plenty of video evidence to show who was CLEARLY the better center when they went head to head.”
Hard to argue with that — Olajuwon did sweep a young Shaq and the Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals, dominating the stat sheet in the process.
Then there’s the case of Nikola Jokic — the modern-day maestro who’s redefining the center position with his passing, vision, and ridiculous efficiency. Jokic has already racked up three MVPs and an NBA title, and fans couldn’t believe Shaq ranked him behind David Robinson.
“Jokic >>> David Robinson cmon,” said one user. Another asked, “Isn’t Jokic already better than D-Rob?”
Hard to ignore the stats Jokic is piling up — especially when Shaq himself once said Jokic was already a top-five center.
So what changed?
Did Shaq Cool Off on Jokic?
Earlier this year, on both his “Big” podcast and TNT’s Inside the NBA, Shaq had Jokic in his top five — saying he loved the Joker’s game, his humility, and his ability to rack up historic triple-doubles like it’s nothing.
But in this new list, Jokic drops to No. 7, behind legends like Olajuwon and Robinson.
Maybe Shaq just had a change of heart. Or maybe he’s motivating the big man to keep pushing. Either way, Jokic has a golden opportunity to climb the ladder, as he enters the 2025-26 season favored to win a fourth MVP. Another title wouldn’t hurt, either.
With history on the line, fans will be watching — and you know Shaq will be, too.