It is hard to argue that any NBA player peaked higher than Shaquille O’Neal. A three-year run that began at the start of the 2000s saw him capture an MVP, win three straight championships, and win the NBA finals MVP while cementing himself as one of the greatest duos in the history of the court alongside Kobe Bryant. During that stretch, he was a virtual guarantee for 35 points and 15 rebounds while being a menace defensively.
That run basically made his case for an induction into the Hall of Fame. His career still has most people regarding him as one of the greatest players in the history of this sport and certainly the most dominant. Since then, many people have tried to take the title, but to no avail.
However, over a decade after his retirement, it seems like the Los Angeles Lakers legend has finally found a worthy successor to his throne.
Shaquille O’Neal Ready to Give Up the Superman Title
O’Neal hasn’t been a particularly complimentary player since he occupied a seat for Inside the NBA. Outside of a select few stars, praise from him remains scarce, as he often points out flaws in their game.
Names like Dwight Howard and Rudy Gobert, in particular, have received his vitriol, with Victor Wembanyama the latest to join the club. However, when it comes to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the flip is entirely different.
Since he jumped to a perennial MVP candidate and legitimate superstar, the Greek Freak has drawn effusive praise from the Hall of Famer. Currently, amid a three-year, $175,369,698 contract that might see him end up elsewhere, his dominance to begin the year drew some rare words from O’Neal.
During the latest episode of “The Big Podcast,” he acquiesced when asked about who was better in their primes between the two. “We’re very different players, but I would have to say Giannis. The game has evolved from when I played, and that’s what you want.”
Shaq says prime Giannis is better than him 👀
(🎥 @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/6Iz7dS6kIm) pic.twitter.com/FFx4W4Sgiq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 29, 2025
As he alluded to, O’Neal believed the two-time MVP had taken everything that made him special, mastered it, and then added his own spin to adjust to the modern game. While a one-to-one comparison is impossible, Antetokounmpo’s start this season makes a strong case for what O’Neal is saying.
Through four games, he averaged 36 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists while shooting an absurd 68.3% from the field and 57.1% from 3-point range in under 33 minutes per game.
