The most dominant force in NBA history is currently struggling to maintain his own narrative. As the league evolves toward a new generation of versatile stars, the criteria for “greatness” are shifting beneath the feet of its loudest analysts.

Shaquille O’Neal sat down with Jade Flury on FOX 26 Houston on January 13, 2026, to rank the league’s current elite. While he easily identified his top four active players, he left a glaring gap in his final selection.

This omission isn’t just a lapse in memory. It represents a jarring departure from O’Neal’s own high-profile campaign to crown Stephen Curry as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

During the Houston broadcast, O’Neal was asked to name his definitive Top 5 active players. He began with the expected titans but faltered before finishing the rotation.

“Joker [Nikola Jokic] would be one. Wemby [Victor Wembanyama] would be two. You got Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. You still got to put LeBron [James] in there. And I’m not sure on the fifth spot…”

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The Big Aristotle had a wide-open fifth spot and yet completely glossed over the “Chef”. This choice is particularly surprising given Shaq’s recent history of vocal, almost radical, Curry advocacy.

The Contradiction of the Curry GOAT Campaign

This snub stands in direct opposition to the “Supreme Leader’s” own decree from just one year ago. During a 2025 episode of TNT’s Inside the NBA, Shaq demanded that the basketball world re-evaluate Curry’s entire legacy.

“As the supreme leader of the big man alliance, I demand you fans to start putting Steph Curry in that greatest of all time conversation.”

O’Neal has repeated this sentiment across various platforms throughout 2025, yet his official rankings rarely reflect this demand. In June 2025, a Netflix promotional list also saw Shaq omit Curry from his Top 10 all-time players, favoring names like Duncan and Olajuwon instead.

Shaq’s inconsistency mirrors a broader leaguewide trend where veteran analysts are prioritizing physical “unicorns” over traditional guard dominance. By including Victor Wembanyama and praising prospect Cooper Flagg in the same interview, O’Neal is pivoting toward height and potential over proven championship pedigree.

This shift echoes the behavior of other legends like Charles Barkley, who often fluctuates between praising Curry’s impact and criticizing the “soft” nature of the modern three-point era. While Shaq has previously credited Curry with “ruining the game” due to his career three-point average, his latest list suggests he may finally be moving on from the era Curry defined.

Shaquille O’Neal remains the NBA’s most entertaining contradiction. He can demand GOAT status for a player in March and then leave that same player off a Top 5 list by the following January.

The “Chef” is currently chasing a 2026 title to further cement his case, but he clearly still has work to do to convince his biggest fan. As the 2026 season progresses, the sports world will be watching to see if O’Neal finally fills that fifth spot or if Curry is permanently relegated to the “honorable mention” category.