Shaquille O’Neal credits himself as the ‘Most Dominant Ever’ player to step foot on the hardwood. But his critics who don’t rank him in the GOAT debate often miffed the 4x NBA Champion. However, with his number of championships and points scored, being ignored might pinch a little. However, recently, Shaq had no problem taking a back seat in the GOAT debate and even credited two former players ahead of him. Yes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain!

In a collaboration post on Instagram, The Big Aristotle commented: “Thanks my gee but Kareem is the man then Wilt then me.” However, the musician known as SmoothVega added a reel on social media praising the Lakers’ legend.

“Shaquille O’Neal is the greatest Center of all time. No, it’s not Wilt, it’s not Kareem, it’s not Hakeem, it’s the Great Aristotle, the Most Dominant Ever! Shaq Diesel.” And it’s not the first time when Shaq has taken a backseat, while he favored two Lakers legends.

In his old podcast clip, alongside his co-host Adam Lefkoe, Shaq ranked himself at the third spot. “However, Kareem, yes. Wilt, only because he has more points than me. That’s the only thing that upsets me about my career because he has more points. I’ll let that slide.” At the same time, he disagreed, regarding Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone passing him up.

“I’m the most Dominic Center ever. I don’t ever want to hear another name again. So that would put me at number three. I passed Hakeem Olajuwon one up. Moses Malone, I passed him up four, five or six years ago before I retired. Me: I will put myself at number three.” But did you know, that Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had beef which was solved only recently?

Looking back at Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s controversy

When the LSU alum made his debut in the league, he did a creative commercial to launch his success. Part of the commercial was four other Centers that paved the way for him. In a 1993 commercial with Reebok, he stood in front of the four legends of the game: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Bill Walton, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

We all know that Shaq had a long back-and-forth with the late great Walton, but there were also some unresolved issues with Abdul-Jabbar. 

“You felt like I was ignoring you. That would never be the case.” The 6x NBA Champion made an unexpected appearance on NBA on TNT. However, Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged Abdul-Jabbar’s influence. “You not speaking to me was the best thing to happen. All I wanted to do was impress you.”

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So, not only did both former Centers resolve any past friction, but both even shared a mutual respect for each other. And that respect seems to continue, as Shaquille O’Neal had no problem taking a back seat, especially for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.