Media

Shaquille O’Neal admits his surprising rank on list of all-time centers

Published by
Robert Marvi

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal just reposted a ranking of the top centers in NBA history, and he wasn’t at the top of the list.

O’Neal has always held the other great centers in basketball history in high regard. When he came to L.A. in 1996, he aspired to end up in the same pantheon as men such as Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The New Jersey native certainly accomplished his task. Along with an ascendant Kobe Bryant, O’Neal helped restore Lakers’ mystique and tradition by helping to lead them to three straight NBA championships.

The big man ended his career with averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game.

The Lakers, of course, are renowned for their great lineage of dominant big men. The lineage started in Minneapolis in the late ‘40s with George Mikan and includes Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabbar.

Today, Anthony Davis has continued the tradition, and he is hoping to strengthen it by helping to lead the team to yet another world title this upcoming season.

Robert Marvi

Robert is a native of Santa Monica, Calif., and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been an avid NBA fan since he was a little kid in the mid '90s and fell in love with the Nick Van Exel-led Lakers teams. He truly cherishes the Kobe Bryant-era of Lakers basketball and the five world championships that came with it, and is looking forward to the team's next NBA title.

Published by
Robert Marvi

Recent Posts

Ron Harper goes after LeBron yet again: ‘He know how to find me’

The Los Angeles Lakers' Game 3 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night featured…

April 26, 2026

Present and former Lakers praise LeBron’s clutch gene after big Game 3

Behind the heroics of a 41-year-old LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers got a huge…

April 25, 2026

Sources: Lakers have strong interest in re-signing Luke Kennard

The Los Angeles Lakers have strong interest in re-signing Luke Kennard this offseason, sources told…

March 16, 2026

Sources: Lakers to offer Austin Reaves $240M, have ‘no fear’ of losing him in FA

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to offer Austin Reaves a five-year, $240 million contract this…

March 11, 2026

Sources: LeBron James not interested in playing for the Warriors

LeBron James is not interested in playing for the Golden State Warriors next season if…

March 9, 2026

Sources: Steph Curry, Draymond Green to ‘heavily recruit’ LeBron this offseason

Golden State Warriors legends Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will heavily recruit LeBron James this…

March 2, 2026