Shaquille O’Neal believes Kobe Bryant deserves to be mentioned alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James whenever basketball’s greatest player is debated.
During an episode of “The Big Podcast,” O’Neal questioned why his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate is frequently excluded from discussions that tend to focus primarily on Jordan and James.
“There’s only three people in the GOAT conversation. Listen, I’m arrogant, but I’m not dumb,” the former Lakers big man said. “It’s Kobe, Bron and Mike, that’s it.”
O’Neal was initially asked why his own name rarely appears in the GOAT debate. The discussion eventually shifted toward the players he believes belong at the very top, with Shaq making it clear that Bryant should be included.
“For so long it was just Mike and Bron, and I’m like, ‘I understand, great picks, but what about the Kobester?’ ” O’Neal said.
Bryant spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, winning five championships. He also earned two Finals MVP awards and captured the league MVP award in 2008.
His five championships put him ahead of James’ four but one behind Jordan’s six. Bryant also became famous for his “Mamba Mentality,” representing the relentless competitive approach that defined much of his career.
Shaquille O’Neal drops stunning Kobe bomb on LeBron James-Michael Jordan GOAT debate https://t.co/J0g6qlMGcC pic.twitter.com/XxIPkJUPoE
— New York Post (@nypost) August 8, 2026
