Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Where the Greats vocalizing their greatness have often been the norm, once Shaquille O’Neal’s take on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore list proved why and how he was beyond that.
Combining his physicality and elite stardom, Shaq had all that makes one great. But even after having 4 NBA championships, 3 MVP awards, and applaudable stats, the Diesel wouldn’t put himself on the all-time Lakers Mount Rushmore list.
“You know why I say I’m not on it? Cuz I go back to the Michael Jordan theory, it’s disrespectful,” he said in 2025. “Do I think I would’ve (dominated) Wilt (Chamberlain)? Yes. Do I think I would’ve dominated Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar)? Yes. But it’s disrespectful.”
Sep 24, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings minority owner Shaquille O'Neal answers questions from the media during a press conference at Kings Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings minority owner Shaquille O'Neal answers questions from the media during a press conference at Kings Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The man who averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game across his career, and helped the Lakers win 3 back-to-back titles, admitted that both Chamberlain and Kareem “paved the way” for him.
And that kind of trailblazing greatness cannot be measured by physicality or on-court dominance. So, those who have “shown what it was to be a great big man”, Shaq would much rather “make sure (the) names stay up.”
Sometimes, the best way of showcasing greatness is to acknowledge the predecessors rather than being dismissive of their feats. And as O’Neal stated, it had truly been the Michael Jordan theory.
Michael Jordan Couldn’t “Accept” the GOAT Status
As the pivot of the GOAT debate, Jordan’s glorious 15-season NBA tenure remains phenomenal to this date. But despite being the generational talent he is, His Airness never agreed to the label he was constantly given.
“When they start comparing who’s the best of all time, I never can accept that role. Because there are a lot of guys who influenced my game,” he stated, per 2015 SLAM magazine. “And if I didn’t see those guys, there’s no way my game would’ve evolved.”
“So, for me to steal things they’ve taught me and then get the credit is not fair,” he added. “So, I always step away from that.”
And this is probably what makes Greats the Greatest. With that being said, can you name any other similarities between MJ and O’Neal? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy