Across his 19-season career, Shaquille O’Neal racked up 4 championship rings, 3 Finals MVPs, and 15 All-Star appearances. Yet, when it comes to the GOAT debate, his name barely enters the conversation. It’s always Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or even his former teammate Kobe Bryant. For Shaq, that omission stings. He once admitted, “I should’ve won one or two more championships.” And maybe, just maybe, those extra rings would’ve rewritten his legacy.

Speaking on his The Big Podcast, Shaquille O’Neal opened up about a frustration that’s haunted him for years. “You know what eats me? Not having five, not having six, not being in that conversation of the greatest of all time,” he confessed. “You’re the most dominant big man, but when they talk about the greatest of all time, you’re not even mentioned. That eats me alive.” But Shaq’s regrets don’t stop there.

In a previous episode of The Old Man and The Three podcast, he admitted feeling jealous of players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James, whose names are synonymous with the GOAT debate. “I get jealous that my name is not in that greatest of all times conversation,” he said. “The most dominant category? I’m him. You only can say one other name—Wilt Chamberlain. I don’t want to hear nobody else’s name.”

Adding to his honesty, Shaq laid it all out. “Greatest of all time, I would like to be in that conversation,” he said on the Big Podcast. “But if it’s not definite—see when you talk about LeBron and Michael, it’s definite. Kobe should be in it, too. I want to be in that conversation. If I’m not, I don’t want no f—-ing considerations.”

His frustration isn’t about lack of recognition; it’s about missing the immortality that comes with GOAT status.

Why Shaquille O’Neal failed to match LeBron’s legacy

When you look at Shaq’s career stats, the numbers are as monstrous as his 7’1” frame. He averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He snagged two scoring titles and was a 15-time All-Star, showing just how consistent he was throughout his career. Add an MVP trophy and those three Finals MVPs, and you’d think his resume could stand toe-to-toe with the best.

On the other hand, LeBron James has been rewriting history since day one. With 22 seasons and counting, LeBron has matched Shaq’s four titles but surpassed him in Finals MVPs, earning four compared to Shaq’s three. LeBron is also a four-time league MVP, dwarfing Shaq’s single MVP win. And then there’s the All-Star count—20 selections to Shaq’s 14.

If you ask why didn’t Shaq reach those same heights? Many argue it comes down to mentality. Del Harris, who coached Shaq on the Lakers, once said, “If he had Kobe’s mentality, he’d be the GOAT.” Even Kobe himself didn’t hold back, saying, “He’d be the first to tell you that. This guy was a force like I had never seen. But I wish he was in the gym—I would’ve had 12 rings.”

He also added, “He was mean, he was nasty, he was competitive, he was vindictive.” But for all that, Shaq’s work ethic didn’t match his potential. And that’s why, when we talk about the greatest of all time, Shaq’s name is left in the shadows of Jordan, LeBron, and even Kobe.