Shaquille O’Neal had a 19-year career in the NBA, playing for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. He enjoyed several dominant seasons, which resulted in four NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, and three NBA Finals MVP awards. Despite these remarkable achievements, he is often overlooked in debates about the greatest of all time (GOAT).
Many NBA analysts, players, and fans have often excluded O’Neal from discussions about the greatest players in league history. Instead, they frequently select Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. This exclusion deeply affects O’Neal, as he mentioned in a recent episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq.”
“You know what eats me? Not having five, not having six, not being in the conversation for the greatest of all time. Yeah, you’re the most dominant big man but when they talk about the greatest of all time you’re not even mentioned. That sh*t eats me alive.” O’Neal said.
O’Neal is considered one of the most dominant physical players in the league’s history. However, dominance alone does not guarantee a player the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT). One of O’Neal’s primary weaknesses was his free-throw shooting, as he had a career average of just 52.7%. Notably, he once missed all 11 of his free-throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000.
Shaquille O’Neal Voices Jealousy Towards Other Legends In The GOAT Debate
Shaquille O’Neal had several impactful seasons in the NBA, but his performance during the 1999-2000 season was particularly extraordinary. That season, he averaged an impressive 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists throughout 79 games, solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in the league. Further in the interview, Big Diesel expressed his jealousy regarding the other prominent players included in the GOAT debate.
“I get jealous that my name is not in that greatest of all times conversation. The most dominant category? I’m him. You only can say one other name—Wilt Chamberlain. I don’t want to hear nobody else’s name.” O’Neal said.
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Although he is often left out of discussions about the GOAT players, O’Neal has gained significant recognition for his contributions to the DJ and media industries. After retiring from basketball, he successfully transitioned into a DJ role, showcasing his talents. Additionally, his engaging personality has received considerable acclaim, particularly for his work on the show Inside the NBA, where he confidently shares his opinions on various topics related to the league. Recently, he made a bold prediction regarding Joel Embiid’s championship chances.
