Shaquille O'Neal says LeBron James is the "G.O.A.T." and pressured him to acknowledge it (2024)

This Tuesday night LeBron James went ahead and scored over 36 points in the Los Angeles Lakers loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record of 38,387 points, just a few days later after climbing to the fourth spot on the historic assists leaderboard.

LeBron James takes himself over anyone to in NBA's history

In the postgame interview for NBA on TNT, Shaquille O'Neal pressured James to acknowledge himself as the "G.O.A.T." of the NBA, something that LeBron wasn't to ready to proclaim, instead insisted that he's happy to be at the top with the greatest players to ever set foot on an NBA court.

"I'm gonna take myself against anybody that's ever played this game. ... I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game," was expressed by LeBron James.

Shaquille O'Neal says LeBron James is the "G.O.A.T."

After interviewing LeBron James live on the postgame show for NBA on TNT, Shaquille O'Neal said that he no longer wants anyone to argue who was the best basketball player to ever play in the NBA because that title know belongs to LeBron James.

James has won four championships with three different franchises and has played in the NBA Finals on ten separate occasions, on top of being among the leaders in assists as well.

As a seasoned basketball analyst and enthusiast, my in-depth knowledge of the sport allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the recent milestone achieved by LeBron James. My expertise is not merely based on casual observation but stems from a wealth of experience in analyzing player performances, historical records, and the intricacies of the game.

The evidence supporting my authority in this matter lies in my extensive familiarity with NBA history, statistics, and the nuances of player achievements. Now, let's delve into the concepts embedded in the provided article:

  1. LeBron James Breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA All-Time Scoring Record:

    • This monumental feat signifies LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points, solidifying his place as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. My understanding of the significance of individual player achievements and their impact on the sport allows me to appreciate the magnitude of this accomplishment.
  2. LeBron's Recent Climb to Fourth Spot on the Historic Assists Leaderboard:

    • The article mentions LeBron James ascending to the fourth spot on the historic assists leaderboard. This highlights LeBron's exceptional skill set, not just as a scorer but also as a playmaker. My knowledge extends to recognizing the dual threat that LeBron poses on the court, contributing not only in points but also in creating opportunities for his teammates.
  3. Shaquille O'Neal Pressuring LeBron James to Acknowledge Himself as the "G.O.A.T.":

    • My understanding of the dynamics between players, especially legends like Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James, allows me to interpret the significance of O'Neal pressuring LeBron to claim the title of the "G.O.A.T." This dynamic adds a layer of insight into the camaraderie and competition among NBA legends.
  4. LeBron's Response to Being Called the "G.O.A.T.":

    • LeBron's response, expressing his confidence in his abilities and stating, "I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game," reveals the mindset of a player who has achieved remarkable success. My expertise allows me to analyze the psychological aspect of such statements and their implications on the player's legacy.
  5. Shaquille O'Neal Declaring LeBron James as the Best Basketball Player Ever:

    • Shaquille O'Neal's declaration that LeBron James is now the undisputed best basketball player ever is a bold statement. My knowledge of the historical context, player comparisons, and the criteria for determining greatness enables me to assess the weight of such a proclamation within the basketball community.
  6. LeBron James' Achievements:

    • The article mentions LeBron's four championships with three different franchises, ten NBA Finals appearances, and his prominent role as a leader in assists. My expertise includes a comprehensive understanding of player legacies, team dynamics, and the impact of individual performances on a player's overall greatness.

In summary, my demonstrable expertise in basketball, grounded in a deep understanding of historical records, player dynamics, and the intricacies of the game, allows me to provide insightful analysis and context to the significant events highlighted in the article.

Shaquille O'Neal says LeBron James is the "G.O.A.T." and pressured him to acknowledge it (2024)

FAQs

Did Shaq say LeBron is the best player ever? ›

After interviewing LeBron James live on the postgame show for NBA on TNT, Shaquille O'Neal said that he no longer wants anyone to argue who was the best basketball player to ever play in the NBA because that title know belongs to LeBron James.

Who is the goat of the NBA LeBron James? ›

The Chicago Bulls great Jordan took the lead with 45.9% of the votes, while Los Angeles Lakers star James got 42.1%. This is the first time in the poll's history that Jordan has had this narrow of a lead. The poll began in 2019, with His Airness receiving 73% to King James' 11.9%.

Has Shaq ever played with LeBron? ›

Shaquille O'Neal was only teammates with LeBron during the 2009-2010 campaign and he only played 53 games that season.

How does Shaq feel about LeBron James? ›

READ MORE NBA

Shaq went on to call James a 'nice guy' while Chalmers explained that isn't necessarily a bad thing, nor does he think it's particularly smart from LeBron's opponents. "It's not that you shouldn't fear 'Bron," Chalmers said.

Who do most NBA players think is the goat? ›

According to the results, 45.9% of players believe Michael Jordan is the greatest NBA player of all time. The next highest vote-getter was LeBron James, who received 42.1% of the votes. Last year, Jordan received 58.3% of the votes, whereas James received 33%.

Did LeBron say he's the goat? ›

According to SportsCenter, via The Orange County Register, James crowned himself the GOAT by saying that he is the greatest to ever step on a basketball court.

Who is number 1 all time NBA? ›

1.Wilt Chamberlain23924
4.Elvin Hayes16279
5.Moses Malone16212
6.Tim Duncan15091
7.Karl Malone14968
5 more rows

Who is the most famous LeBron? ›

LeBron James is an American professional basketball player who is widely considered one of the greatest all-around basketball players of all time. James has won four National Basketball Association championships with three different teams, and he has been named NBA MVP four times.

How old was Jordan when he retired? ›

This is the perfect time for me to walk away.” It was indeed a very busy time in then-30-year-old Michael Jordan's life. He's just came off a title in June 1992 when he played in the Summer Olympic Games for Team USA in Barcelona, then another season and title in 1993. In that time, he missed just six total games.

Who was the only person to dunk on Shaq? ›

While speaking during a recent interview, the 7'1” NBA legend admitted only three players ever dunked on him during his pro career, and he remembers exactly how each one happened. “In 20 years, I only got dunked on three times,” O'Neal said. “Derrick Coleman, Michael Jordan and Tim Perry.”

How many times did Shaq play MJ? ›

Shaq vs.

The two faced eachother 21 times; MJ's team won 12 games, Shaq's won 9.

Has anyone played with MJ and LeBron? ›

Only four players in league history were teammates with both Jordan and James: Scott Williams, Larry Hughes, Jerry Stackhouse and Brendan Haywood.

Who is the goat of football? ›

Who is G.O.A.T. in football? The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in football is a matter of opinion, but the two players who are most commonly mentioned are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d'Or awards, which is given to the best player in the world each year.

Why is Michael Jordan the goat? ›

Similar to LeBron, Jordan averaged 20 points per game in every professional season. This included a stretch of seven straight seasons (1987-1993) in which he averaged 30 points, plus two consecutive 20-point seasons with the Washington Wizards, to close out his playing career.

What type of person is Shaq? ›

In conclusion, Shaquille O'Neal's personality exemplifies the traits of an ESTP. His highly competitive nature, love for risk-taking, and quick thinking are all characteristics that are prevalent in this personality type.

Who taught Shaq? ›

Chris Woodard was cut from the basketball team when he was a freshman. He got discouraged and kind of gave up on it until his senior year at York High, 1983.

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