A single quote from Al Harrington set off a wildfire across basketball threads, as NBA Fans clashed over the idea that Lakers-era Shaquille O’Neal wouldn’t dominate in today’s game.
The spark came from @TheDunkCentral, who posted, “Al Harrington says Lakers-era Shaq wouldn’t dominate in today’s NBA [eyes emoji].”
Al Harrington says Lakers-era Shaq wouldn’t dominate in today’s NBA 👀
(🎥 @RunItBackFDTV )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2025
The debate that followed quickly shifted toward Kobe Bryant, modern guards and scoring in an era known for pace and space.
One of the most viral replies came from @FeelLikeOBK, who wrote, “Kobe would be Jalen Green in today’s nba.”
That line triggered outrage from NBA Fans, many of whom pushed back with scoring numbers, defensive matchups and Kobe’s résumé. The thread became a battleground for era-to-era comparisons.
Another side of the argument came from @millz_510, who countered directly: “You do know Shai models his game after Kobe right? & he’s averaging 30 what the fuck do you think Kobe would average in this no defense era.”
That take fueled a wave of support from NBA Fans who believe Kobe’s footwork and shot creation would explode in a league that favors isolation scorers.
Through all the arguing, one point became clear: NBA Fans see Kobe and Shaq through different lenses when imagining them in today’s game. While some think Shaq’s size and dominance would lead to slower defensive schemes, others believe teams would have no answer for a prime seven-footer with elite power.
At the same time, discussions about Kobe show he remains one of the most polarizing stars among NBA Fans. His name pulls strong reactions in any era comparison. This debate may have started with Shaq, but it reminded everyone how instantly NBA Fans turn the clock back to defend their legends — especially when someone puts Kobe and Jalen Green in the same sentence.
NBA Fans Clash Over Greatest Laker Ever as Shaq Conversation Spills Into Franchise Legacy Debate
A separate thread added more fuel to the conversation when @Hoopss asked,
“Who is the best Laker EVER?”
Who is the best Laker EVER?
Let’s settle this RIGHT NOW on the @vazainc website!
Choose your pick and get PAID REAL CASH if they win. ⤵️👀https://t.co/DYbro4euBR pic.twitter.com/EkL5H0Kc7z
— Hoops (@Hoopss) December 10, 2025
The question wasn’t tied to the Shaq-dominance debate, but NBA Fans linked the two topics together almost immediately. The replies became a snapshot of how divided the fanbase is when discussing franchise legends.
The most direct answer came from @cukyn1812, who wrote, “Magic’s the answer, no debate.” Many NBA Fans echoed the sentiment, pointing to five titles, team success and the Showtime era.
Others shifted toward the player most emotionally tied to Laker culture.
@bad_hooptakes said, “Kobe gave everything to the Lakers [snake emoji],” capturing the loyalty argument that often pulls him to the top of these lists.
What stood out, though, was how little Shaquille O’Neal appeared in the replies — even though the earlier debate centered around his role in today’s league. NBA Fans didn’t ignore his talent; they simply placed more weight on longevity, identity and what each star meant to the franchise across decades. It became clear that Shaq sits in a unique spot: dominant enough to reshape the sport, yet rarely the first name chosen when fans pick a “greatest Laker.”
That gap creates an interesting bridge between both conversations. In the earlier debate, NBA Fans argued whether Shaq’s prime translates to the modern NBA. In this one, they struggled to place him ahead of Magic or Kobe when defining franchise legacy.
For many NBA Fans, that contrast shows how complicated Shaq’s standing is — unstoppable at his peak, essential to three straight titles, but overshadowed by two icons who represent different eras of Laker identity. The arguments may never settle, but they reveal exactly why discussions about Lakers history always pull fans into deeper debates than expected.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
