The Los Angeles Lakers have a rich history of hosting NBA superstars within their ranks, and one of the most iconic figures is the legendary Shaquille O’Neal, whose dominance defined the early 2000s era. However, radio host and commentator Chris Russo stirred the pot with a controversial take that didn’t sit well with Shaq enthusiasts. Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams were quick to dismantle Russo’s bold opinion during their ESPN debate.
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Russo, appearing on ESPN, argued that Shaq deserved the fifth spot on his all-time center list. Shockingly, he placed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon above the Lakers legend. Russo even flirted with the idea of ranking Moses Malone higher than Shaq.
In response, both Smith and Williams vehemently disagreed with Russo’s perspective. One of Russo’s arguments centered around Shaq supposedly not facing formidable competition during the NBA Finals. Smith and Williams countered by pointing out that other great centers also encountered similar circumstances.
Russo’s rankings didn’t sit well with many, and Shaq himself didn’t hold back when responding.
“Who the f*ck is that?…I’m the most dominant center ever. I don’t ever wanna hear another name again…I passed Hakeem Olajuwon,” Shaq retorted.
While some fans align with Russo’s viewpoint, citing Olajuwon, Abdul-Jabbar, and Chamberlain as superior to Shaq based on skills rather than size, the debate continues. The subjective nature of these discussions in sports, even when supported by stats, adds to the enduring allure of the debate.