Shaquille O'Neal Makes Truthful Admission on Comparison Between His and Giannis Antetokounmpo's Prime

Shaquille O'Neal made a truthful admission on a comparison between him and Giannis Antetokounmpo. On Thursday's episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq", a reporter asked the Lakers legend for his opinion on who is a better player between prime Shaq and prime Antetokounmpo.

The Lakers legend is not known for complimenting players who have come after him. He has often rated himself above many other talents in the league, but this it was different. Shaquille O'Neal gave Giannis Antetokounmpo his flowers in his response.

"We are different players , but I'll probably have to say Giannis," He said. "You know the game has evolved from when I played, and that's what you want. You want evolution in the game."

Later, he advised the reporter who asked the question to take the best traits from his favorite basketball player and master them. Shaq's answer was humble, but his co-host on the episode, Gillie da Kid, disagreed with it.

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"I just wana say this, Shaq is up here being super humble," Gillie said. "Giannis was nowhere near better than Shaquille O'Neal. Shaquille O'Neal was the most dominant player to ever step on the basketball court. I understand that he got older now. He softened up a little bit and he's trying to be humble... He was better than Giannis and it wasn't even close."

In terms of accolades, Shaq holds the edge over Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Lakers legend has four NBA championships in his bag, while the Bucks star has only one. However, Antetokounmpo is still playing at a high level, and has a chance to surpass Shaq over the span of his remaining years in the league.

Bucks' head coach Doc Rivers compares Giannis Antetokounmpo to Shaquille O'Neal after dominant start to the season

The Milwaukee Bucks have had a good start to the 2025-26 NBA season. They have won three of their first four matchups of the season and are looking to be back in their 2021 championship form. Following the Greek Freak's dominant 40-point, 14-rebounds and nine-assists performance in the 118-113 loss against the Cavs on Sunday, Doc Rivers talked to the media.

The Bucks coach praised Antetokounmpo's ability to play through contact and be relentless in his approach to the rim. He compared the Greek Freak to Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal.

"He gets hit, grabbed and held, it’s amazing how many times he gets hit on the arms, and that’s what we’re supposed to be looking for,” Rivers said. “It’s like Shaq."

After Sunday's loss, Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to start the season with more than 100 points, 40 rebounds and 15 assists in just three games.

Edited by Avi Shravan