NBA

Shaq names his top 10 players of all time

Published

June 4, 2025

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; NBA former player Shaquille O'Neill laughs on the NBA TV set before game two of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O’Neal is arguably the most dominant player in NBA history. He’s on most people’s top 10 list, but he doesn’t quite make his own.

Related: Shaq blasts NBA stars for chasing money over love for the game: “I’d play for $40K.”

Shaq recently gave his list of the top 10 players in NBA history. He began putting himself at 10, but quickly took himself off in favor of Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Shaq’s been on record saying Dr. J was his favorite player growing up.

The player at Shaq’s number one spot is also nothing of a surprise. He has named this player as his GOAT on many occasions.

The remainder of Shaq’s list, however, may surprise some people. He has kept a legendary big man off the list, while a certain GOAT candidate is out of the top two.

Here’s Shaq’s top 10:

1. Michael Jordan

2. Kobe Bryant

3. LeBron James

4. Magic Johnson

5. Bill Russell

6. Wilt Chamberlain

7. Larry Bird

8. Hakeem Olajuwon

9. Tim Duncan

10. Julius Erving

Shaq's top 10 greatest NBA players ever:

1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. LeBron James
4. Magic Johnson
5. Bill Russell
6. Wilt Chamberlain
7. Larry Bird
8. Hakeem Olajuwon
9. Tim Duncan
10. Julius Erving

Thoughts?

(via @netflix)
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 3, 2025

As you can see, Shaq has former teammate Kobe Bryant at the second spot, instead of LeBron James. Most notably absent from Shaq’s list is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Ultimately this is Shaq’s opinion on the greatest players in NBA history. Do you agree with his list?

About the Author Published Jun 4, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1