This is not one of Shaq’s legendary – and often controversial – best-of lists. It’s a singular pick for the best player to ever play the center position in the NBA… something the big fella certainly has some great experience with.
So yes, whenever basketball fans debate the greatest center in NBA history, a few legendary names always dominate the conversation: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon — and of course, Los Angeles Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal.
In the early 2000s, Shaq was a force unlike anything the NBA had ever seen. At 7-foot-1 and over 300 pounds, he was nearly unstoppable in the paint. The Lakers, powered by Shaq’s dominance, won three straight championships from 2000 to 2002, cementing a dynasty. O’Neal’s résumé stacks up with anyone’s: four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, a regular-season MVP, 15 All-Star appearances, and 14 All-NBA selections — including eight on the First Team.
And Shaq has never been shy about reminding people of his success. Just ask TNT co-host Charles Barkley, who’s heard about those four championship rings more times than he can count. But while Shaq enjoys talking up his own legacy, he’s also quick to acknowledge the legends who came before him.
Shaq’s Pick for the Greatest Center
Despite his own historic career, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t give himself the “greatest center” title. Instead, during his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2016, he honored a Boston Celtics legend: the late, great Bill Russell.
“Bill Russell… give it up to the greatest big man to ever play the game,” Shaq said without hesitation.
It was a touching moment that showed just how much respect O’Neal has for one of the game’s true pioneers. Russell, who passed away in 2022, was in attendance that day to celebrate Shaq’s induction. The two shared a warm relationship, and Russell even gave Shaq advice that stayed with him for years.
One of the most important lessons? In 2006, Russell encouraged O’Neal to reconcile with Kobe Bryant, ending one of the NBA’s most famous feuds. That personal connection made Russell’s presence at Shaq’s Hall of Fame moment even more meaningful.
Bill Russell’s Unmatched Legacy
Bill Russell isn’t just one of the greatest centers — he’s the greatest winner the NBA has ever seen. As the anchor of the Boston Celtics, he led the team to 11 championships in just 13 seasons, including an incredible run of eight straight titles from 1959 to 1966. No other player in history has come close to matching that feat.
Along the way, Russell collected five league MVP awards and was named to 11 All-NBA teams. Even though Wilt Chamberlain often claimed First-Team honors over him, Russell was the one consistently holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy at season’s end.
As the saying goes, “records are meant to be broken,” but Russell’s 11 championship rings may stand forever. And in Shaq’s eyes, that combination of leadership, winning mentality, and defensive dominance makes Bill Russell the undisputed greatest center in basketball history.
By the numbers, we see Russell was never considered an offensive force. Shaq, on the other hand, definitely. Russell never had a 20 point-per-game campaign, and he shot just 44.0 percent from the field for his career.
Still, Russell made his greatest impact was on the defensive end. At 6-foot-10 with a 215-pound frame, he utilized his athleticism to be a menace on the side of the floor. Russell was an imposing rim protector. Despite his size, he had the agility to guard multiple positions.
The NBA did not start recording basic defensive statistics like blocks and steals until the 1973-74 season, which was well after the five-time NBA MVP retired. While those individual counting stats aren’t in the record books for Russell, he still has the no. 1 defensive win shares in NBA history at 133.62. Tim Duncan is second at 106.34.
Russell and O’Neal may have never faced off in their careers. How cool would that have been to witness? The Diesel vs. perhaps the greatest defensive player ever. And to Shaq’s eyes, the greatest center ever in NBA history.