Shaq’s Fantasy Draft Sparks Debate: Would He Really Choose Jordan Over Kobe?

Shaquille O’Neal just poured fuel on the NBA nostalgia fire—and Laker Nation is feeling the heat.

On a recent Off The Record podcast with Bailey Jackson, Shaq dropped a bold take: “I’ll go with Mike over Kobe,” he said without hesitation. The context? A fantasy teammate swap. He added, “Trying to win championships, ring culture. Love to play with Mike to learn from him.” And just like that, Shaq swapped out his three-time title-winning partner, Kobe Bryant, for Michael Jordan—the man with six rings and an unmatched killer instinct.

O’Neal didn’t stop there. He also said he’d trade Penny Hardaway for Magic Johnson to “be on the end of something fancy.”

Naturally, fans erupted. Was this cold logic or casual disrespect?

Just days earlier, Shaq slammed Bleacher Report for ranking Kobe 11th all-time, tweeting, “Kobe at 11 is criminal.” No frills—just loyalty.

Shaq has always blended hot takes with deep admiration. This might not be a snub—it might just be Shaq being Shaq: curious, nostalgic, and unfiltered.

Fantasy drafts are make-believe. But Kobe and Shaq? That legacy is real—and untouchable.