Shaq Just Shut Down Skip Bayless' Latest NBA Hot Take and Fans are Loving It

Shaquille O'Neal has fired back at Fox Sports pundit Skip Bayless for the latter's bizarre take on the top-3 NBA players of all time. According to Bayless, Shaq is only behind Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in his list, leaving out four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP LeBron James.

Basketball fans were left stunned by the omission, with many questioning Bayless' rationale for the snub. 'The King' has enjoyed a storied 20-year career, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Shaq, a four-time NBA champion with the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, was quick to point out the error in Bayless' assessment. As a dominant center who often found himself at the receiving end of James' brilliance, O'Neal has consistently praised the Lakers talisman for his incredible athleticism and unparalleled work ethic.

As expected, social media was abuzz with reactions to Bayless' latest hot take. Some fans called out the pundit for his obvious bias toward players from his generation, while others expressed admiration for Shaq's commitment to speaking truth to power. In the end, one thing was clear: any serious conversation about the top-3 NBA players of all time has to include the name of LeBron James.

Basketball purists will remember that the ongoing debate about the top-3 NBA players of all time is never short of contenders. The likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Tim Duncan are all valid options, with some even pointing out that the greatness of players across different eras is subjective and often difficult to quantify.

However, one thing is for certain: Shaquille O'Neal is not afraid to voice his opinion when it comes to topics of basketball debate. Given his towering presence in the world of the NBA, it will be fascinating to see how this particular conversation unfolds in the coming days.