In a case of dueling podcast opinions, Shaq recently squared off (via podcast) with Los Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green over opinions about NBA goats. While O’Neal disagreed with Green, he was – surprisingly, perhaps – OK to hear other opinions.
On the latest episode of Green’s “Throwing Bones,” program, Green sat down with Los Angeles Lakers forward Juan Toscano-Anderson and actor Rome Flynn to discuss their top 5 actors, NBA dunkers and more.
When the talk came around to the group’s all-time favorite NBA players, the conversation quickly turned – as it often does – to the all-too-popular “Jordan vs. James” debate.
Green and the Warriors have a lot of experience playing in the biggest games against King James. The Dubs faced LeBron in four different NBA Finals series (that would be LeBron’s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Lakers, of course).
As part of his thinking, Draymond says he would pick James over MJ for a number of reasons, including what he called LeBron’s “humble beginnings” as a kid from Akron who entered the Association right out of high school. Green gave more credit to James for what he called a more challenging route to greatness.
That was one podcast. Later that same week, on The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal offered his opinion of Green’s opinion: “I like Draymond, that’s his opinion. I like people when they have opinions in this world. You know, the problem we have is when some certain person has an opinion and you don’t like it.”
While O’Neal certainly didn’t agree with Green, he didn’t have any harsh words to say about the choice, either. “I’m not going to go off,” O’Neal said. “That’s his opinion. My guy is Dr. J (Julius Erving) slash Mike. That’s my guy.”
Actually, that’s two guys… but who are we to question?
Click here for the full, latest Big Podcast with Shaq
As for our man Shaq, he actually enjoyed a career that gave him the opportunity to play (and compete) against both Jordan and James. NBA and Shaq-historians know that Shaq was indeed a teammate with James for a short period on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With King James still playing, he’s got some time and gas left in the tank to add to his career stats. He’s still on pace to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record, and he already has four NBA titles to his name. Will there be another title? Hard to say.
Jordan? Of course, long retired. Yet retired with a record that will – some say – be impossible to match. The Chicago Bulls legend was a 14-time All-Star and five-time MVP during his storied career. An absolute Hall-of-Famer, he won 10 scoring titles, six NBA titles and was named NBA Finals MVP six times.
Yes, James is one of the greatest playmakers the game has ever seen. Yet it’s hard to compare these two greats, as they played the game in very different eras.
Things have been tough for LeBron and his current Lakers team. The Lakers had a very slow start this season, but things are looking up. As of this writing, the purple and gold have won eight of their last 12 games.
Could James add another ring to his current collection? Of course! Will it change Shaq’s mind when it comes to those GOAT questions? Stay tuned…