Anyone who had to make it to the NBA Finals in the ’90s had a major rite of passage to get through. Shaquille O’Neal had to fight this formidable opponent in his early career. On the way to his 6 championships, Michael Jordan left a lasting impression on Shaq as a rival. To date, O’Neal has not gotten over the Jordan era he played through. It shows when he brings up His Airness in the best player chat.

However, this time Shaq is in a bit of a dilemma. He’s always held Jordan up to a standard. But he’s holding back in outrightly naming him his GOAT.

Shaq holds back on giving Michael Jordan the ultimate title

Shaquille O’Neal is in Mexico on a fun-filled work trip. In an interview with Relevo, the outlet asked him about his NBA career, including what it was like playing against the old greats. When he was asked who is the best opponent he ever faced, he had one prompt answer.

“I have played against many of the greatest, but Michael Jordan was one level above,” Shaq answered. He’s expressed this sentiment many times before.

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MJ and Shaq have had 21 matchups throughout their NBA careers. Most of their clashes were in the Playoffs. Jordan has won 12 of those games, averaging 28.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.4 steals, and one block. The first time NBA rookie O’Neal had to face the Chicago Bulls powerhouse in 1993, Jordan led the team to a 112-106 win.

Though he has faced the ultimate opponent multiple times, he was in an era that had the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing, two stars Shaq has admitted were his toughest opponents. So he’s hesitant to give all the credit to Jordan.

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“As for the discussion about the best of all time, it’s difficult. We have had so many great players who have dominated the time in which they have played,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend sincerely said.

O’Neal liked to give his opponents a hard time. But in the past, he said only one person returned the favor.

Shaquille O’Neal had named his toughest opponent

Michael Jordan would admit that Shaq intimidated him into stepping up the game. One of O’Neal’s boast-worthy achievements was being on the squad that last beat MJ in a playoff situation. That was in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Big Diesel led the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals after beating the Bulls, only to lose to the Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets. The Dream would be O’Neal’s toughest opponent by his own admission.

However, it was Indiana Pacers’ Rik Smits that O’Neal said, “destroyed me everytime.” The Lakers had to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 finals for Shaq to win his first championship. He said watching that game on tape and how Smits guarded him still haunts him.

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Rik Smits is no Michael Jordan. But at least he gets to say he is the subject of nightmares of the most dominant center in NBA history.