Shaquille O’Neal takes issue with controversial list of all-time best dunkers, which ranks him outside of top 10

Orel Dizon
3 Min Read
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal has been fortunate enough to have watched and played with or against some of the best basketball players the sports world has ever seen.

As such, he is opinionated on various topics regarding the NBA. O’Neal recently made his feelings known about a controversial ranking of the best dunkers ever, strongly disagreeing with the list.

It is unclear exactly which part of the list had the former NBA big man up in arms.

Perhaps he doesn’t agree with the idea that Vince Carter belongs in a tier above everyone else.

However, that might not be the case, as plenty of players and journalists regard the eight-time All-Star as the greatest dunker in history. His display at the Slam Dunk Contest in 2000 is still considered by many to be the best performance in the history of the event.

Another possible reason behind O’Neal’s objection to the list is that it ranks him well outside the top 10. While he never entered the Slam Dunk Contest, the four-time champion was one of the NBA’s most powerful dunkers ever. Opponents had a hard time stopping him from finishing strong inside the paint and stuffing the rim.

The list also features some other recognizable players for Lakers fans, including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Bryant earned a reputation as one of the league’s most thrilling high-flyers during his time after winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie. Sadly for fans, Bryant opted not to participate in any more dunk competitions after that.

As for James, he’s never even thrown his hat in the ring despite calls for him to participate in the contest. Even so, the four-time MVP became known as one of the flashiest and most unstoppable in-game dunkers in the NBA during the prime of his career.

O’Neal doesn’t seem to be the only one who disagrees with the list, as many fans have replied to his tweet and expressed confusion over some aspects of the rankings.

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