Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary NBA center, didn’t mince words in response to comments made by sports commentator Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who controversially ranked O’Neal as the fifth-best center in NBA history. Russo’s bold assertion came during an episode of First Take, where he defended his position in light of O’Neal suggesting that Steph Curry might be considered the greatest player in NBA history.
On The Big Podcast with Shaq, co-host Adam Lefkoe played Russo’s remarks for O’Neal. Initially unfamiliar with Russo, O’Neal responded with a candid, “Who the f*** is that?” After Lefkoe explained Russo’s status as a New York sports radio legend, O’Neal expressed his readiness to confront Russo physically, stating, “Let’s just get it straight: I will smack the s*** outta that dude. But let’s get off that. I can’t be on that. I’m corporate.”
While O’Neal disagreed with Russo’s ranking, he acknowledged the greatness of players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. However, O’Neal asserted his dominance as the most dominant center in NBA history, adamantly stating, “I’m the most dominant center. I don’t ever wanna hear another name again.”
Russo had also ranked Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone ahead of O’Neal. In response, O’Neal offered his perspective on surpassing both players in his career, claiming to have overtaken Olajuwon and passed Malone several years before his retirement. According to O’Neal, these achievements position him at the third spot among the greatest NBA centers, dismissing Russo’s ranking as a matter of disagreement and confidently asserting his place in basketball history.
