We know our man Shaq loves his lists! Now for the New Year, he’s out with what we’re calling his “Mount Rushmore” of all-time NBA greats. How do you like the choices?
Of course, there’s no debate about one thing: Shaquille O’Neal belongs in any serious conversation about the greatest players in NBA history. At 7-foot-1 with power, agility, and touch that simply didn’t make sense, Shaq redefined what dominance looked like in the modern era.
Over a legendary career, “The Big Diesel” stacked accolades that few players can match. Four NBA championships. One league MVP. Three Finals MVPs. Fifteen All-Star selections. Fourteen All-NBA honors. A Hall of Fame induction. And beyond the hardware, Shaq left behind something even rarer — fear. Entire defensive schemes were built just to survive him.
So when someone like Shaq starts naming his own list of all-time greats, people listen.
According to O’Neal, the top of the mountain begins with Michael Jordan.
“The greatest player of all time,” Shaq said, placing the Chicago Bulls legend firmly at No. 1. The two crossed paths during the 1990s, including the unforgettable 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, when Shaq’s Orlando Magic knocked off a recently unretired Jordan. Even with that history, the respect has always been there.
At No. 2 on Shaq’s list is Kobe Bryant, his former teammate and on-court rival. Together, Shaq and Kobe won three straight championships with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002, forming one of the most dominant duos the league has ever seen. While their relationship was famously complicated, time brought perspective, respect, and ultimately friendship before Kobe’s tragic passing in 2020.
Coming in at No. 3 is LeBron James, a player many fans argue deserves the GOAT crown himself. Shaq and LeBron were briefly teammates in Cleveland, and O’Neal has consistently praised LeBron’s longevity, versatility, and basketball IQ. With four championships, four MVPs, and elite production still rolling late into his career, LeBron’s place near the top feels inevitable.
Rounding out Shaq’s top five are two pillars of NBA history: Magic Johnson at No. 4 and Bill Russell at No. 5. Magic’s five championships and revolutionary playmaking changed basketball forever, while Russell’s 11 titles and unmatched defensive impact remain the gold standard for winning.
The back half of Shaq’s list reads like a Hall of Fame wing: Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, and Julius Erving. It’s a group filled with MVPs, champions, innovators, and cultural icons — many of whom Shaq battled directly or modeled parts of his game after.
Interestingly, Shaq initially considered placing himself at No. 10 but ultimately gave the spot to Dr. J out of respect. Still, plenty of fans, analysts, and even advanced models would have no issue sliding O’Neal into the top ten — or higher.
By the numbers, the case is strong. Shaq averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. At his peak, he was unstoppable. Bigger than anyone guarding him. Faster than anyone expected. And strong enough to make grown men rethink career choices.
Top-ten lists will always come down to preference. But one thing is certain: when Shaquille O’Neal speaks about greatness, he does so as someone who defined it.