Everyone has a fantasy basketball team. Even Shaquille O’Neal. A formidable 7’1″ force at the prime of his NBA career, he was virtually undefeatable alongside icons like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. There was one partnership that didn’t materialize except once in 1996. Shaq had to remind fans of that glorious moment in basketball history while provoking fans with an important question.

Big Diesel has made no secret of who he wants on his fantasy team. A certain GOAT will always be on the list. His unfulfilled dream is a lot similar to what one Chicago Bulls champion expressed.

Shaquille O’Neal imagines forming a dream team with Michael Jordan

When Shaquille O’Neal stepped on the NBA court in 1992, Michael Jordan was in the middle of his first three-peat. O’Neal wouldn’t get his shot at a championship until MJ had left the Bulls. He was still seen as a dominant talent in the league which made many wonder what it would be like if Shaq was on the same team as His Airness.

This thought has crossed O’Neal’s mind too. It showed when he shared a certain post on his Instagram Stories. The post captioned, “How many rings would Shaq and MJ have won if they teamed up?” carried a clip of the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.

Jordan and Shaq formed the Eastern Conference All-Star team with Penny Hardaway, Scottie Pippen, and Grant Hill. It didn’t get more All-Star than that.  The team won, Jordan was MVP, and Shaq scored 25 points.

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It also marked Jordan’s All-Star return since his first retirement from the NBA. Jordan would admit Big Aristotle’s ginormous frame intimidated him. Shaq has knocked MJ to the floor a few times as seen in that All-Star game. After returning to the NBA, MJ had to develop his offensive ability against a giant like Shaq. Obviously, it was easier to have him on his team at the All-Star game.

There was, however, a mild debate about who should’ve been the MVP between him and Big Diesel. Shaquille O’Neal obviously didn’t care. He’s always elevated MJ to his GOAT. And he’s not the only one who wanted him to suit up alongside Jordan.

Shaq shares Toni Kukoc’s dream

Toni Kukoc completed the Bulls’ second three-peat winning squad. But he wanted to see a different combination.

He expressed his desire to see a “supergroup” which included Shaquille O’Neal in the Bulls jersey. It was clear what Shaq, MJ and Pip could do together. Shaq combined with Dennis Rodman would’ve out-rebounded any team.

As Kukoc put it, this supergroup “wouldn’t be fair.”

The All-Star game was the closest we got to Shaq and MJ together. It still begs the question, how many championships you think this duo could win together?

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