“He Was No Kareem Abdul-Jabbar”: Shaquille O’Neal Resurfaces Magic Johnson’s Remark Undermining 7ft ‘Physical Specimen’ for Creator Of Legendary Skyhook

In a social media spectacle that has ignited a heated debate among basketball fans, Shaquille O’Neal, the towering former Lakers superstar, recently took to his Instagram story to resurrect an old video of Magic Johnson asserting the supremacy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar over Shaq himself. The video, posted by the 7ft basketball legend, has added a new layer of drama to the ongoing discussion surrounding the comparison of two of the most dominant big men in the history of the NBA.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, renowned for crafting the iconic skyhook shot, a near-impossible-to-defend move, remains intrinsically linked to Shaq in the annals of basketball history. Both men’s colossal presence on the court has led to inevitable comparisons, fostering endless debates among fans and analysts alike.

Shaquille O’Neal Digs Up Magic Johnson’s Praise for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

In the video clip that has captured the attention of the basketball community, Magic Johnson emphatically lends his perspective.

He states:

“I like Shaq, but he was no Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This man could dominate you with both hands. When they had to change the game because of you, that’s greatness.” 

These words, laden with a sense of awe and reverence, cast Kareem’s prowess in an almost mythical light.

Shaq Once Claimed He Could’ve Blocked KAJ’s Skyhook

Shaq has always used his social media to ensure that his opinions don’t drown out in a world where everybody can give theirs. In an attempt to reclaim the narrative, he once boldly proclaimed:

“I could have blocked the skyhook. I could have got it, I could have got him a couple of times.” 

The assertion, backed by Shaq’s larger-than-life persona, breathed new life into the ongoing discourse.

As the conversation rages on in the basketball community, the resurfacing of this video underscores the unending fascination with the giants of the game and their indelible impact on the sport’s history. When all is said and done, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be recounted as two of the greatest to ever step on the hardwood, regardless of what order people place them in. It also goes on to show that the conversations that take place about NBA greats often have multiple sides to them, and cannot be objective.