Shaq's all-time top 10 NBA players list includes Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, and Julius Erving.
Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, has revealed his personal list of the top 10 NBA players of all time—and interestingly, he left himself off the list.
While the names included aren't all that surprising, the order may raise a few eyebrows and reveal some of O'Neal's personal biases.
At the top sits Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the GOAT, with six championships to his name.
Here is Shaq's full list (via Netflix):
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Magic Johnson
Bill Russell
Wilt Chamberlain
Larry Bird
Hakeem Olajuwon
Tim Duncan
Julius Erving
Perhaps the most surprising omission is Stephen Curry—the greatest shooter in NBA history, a four-time champion, and a player who revolutionized the game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Durant, and Oscar Robertson also missed the selection.
Another notable choice is ranking the late Kobe Bryant above LeBron James. While both are all-time greats, LeBron is often mentioned in the GOAT conversation alongside Jordan, making this pick a topic for debate.
Shaq played alongside Kobe on the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2004, winning three straight NBA titles together in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Near the end of his career, O'Neal also briefly shared the court with LeBron during the 2009–10 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As with any all-time list, Shaq's ranking will surely spark conversation among fans and remind us that greatness is often a matter of perspective.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.