In today’s era of social media, celebrities, and sports stars often take to various platforms to share their thoughts and opinions with fans. And when it comes to sharing basketball insights, few do it as candidly as the legendary Shaquille O’Neal. The larger-than-life personality, known for his dominance on the court and charismatic off-court presence, has become a social media sensation, always providing fans with engaging content. Recently, Shaq posted his top 10 players of all time, sparking a heated discussion among fans and critics alike. The topic of discussion is 2 names, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
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When Shaquille O’Neal shares his thoughts on social media, the basketball world pays attention. With more than 31 million followers on Instagram, Shaq often shares his views and thoughts on the social media platform.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Top 10 Players List
In a recent Instagram post, Shaq unveiled his personal top 10 list of all-time NBA greats. The list included some of the game’s most iconic figures, each deserving of their place in the basketball pantheon. The ten players Shaq chose were Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, himself, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Isiah Thomas, Tim Duncan, and Karl Malone. On the surface, it might seem to be an impressive list, filled with players who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
He also wrote the caption:
“did i leave anyone out? and who would you trade, take off or addd to my list? lmk your thoughts”
However, what caught the attention of fans and critics were the notable absences of two legendary centers, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, from Shaq’s top 10 list. Considering the colossal impact these two players had on the game and the records they set, their omission raises questions.
Wilt Chamberlain, known for his incredible scoring ability and jaw-dropping statistical feats, is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. Similarly, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time former leading scorer, and a six-time NBA champion, is considered by many as the greatest center to ever grace the court. And fans beg for an explanation after their exclusion from Shaq’s list.
The Shaq-Kareem Relationship
To understand the reasons behind these omissions, it is crucial to delve into the history between Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shaq’s entry into the NBA occurred three years after Kareem’s retirement, leaving the young center with massive shoes to fill in Los Angeles. Shaq looked up to Kareem, hoping for mentorship and advice from the Lakers legend.
However, in his book “Shaq Uncut,” O’Neal revealed his disappointment with Kareem’s apparent lack of interest in guiding him. He expressed how Kareem was never around and would often ignore him, leaving Shaq yearning for a conversation with his idol. The lack of interaction between the two during Shaq’s early years in the league seemed to create a rift.
“Kareem was never around. And, whenever I did see him, he usually ignored me. The disappointing thing to me was, being in LA all those years and trying to fill those shoes, I would have liked to have a conversation with him.”
Kareem, on the other hand, had a different perspective on the situation. In response to Shaq’s comments, he claimed that he had no idea about O’Neal’s feelings and that he would have gladly offered his help and advice if asked. He even recalled spending some time with Shaq back at LSU when he was called upon by his then-coach Dale Brown. However, Shaq’s father’s intervention reportedly cut short any further interactions, leaving Kareem unaware of the young player’s desire for mentorship.
Shaquille O’Neal’s top 10 list sparked intense debates among basketball enthusiasts, primarily due to the surprising exclusion of Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. While the reasons for these omissions remain speculative, it is evident that Shaq’s social media presence allows fans to gain insight into his basketball opinions and personal experiences with the game’s legends. Fans continue to discuss and debate Shaq’s choices, but one thing remains certain – they will never forget the impact of Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s history, regardless of any top 10 list.
