Shaq confession reveals why LeBron James 'isn't NBA's greatest ever player' in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant face off

Shaquille O'Neal has revealed one of the vital reasons why LeBron James is not the NBA's greatest player compared to the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

The four-time NBA champion played with or against all three of the players, sharing locker rooms with Bryant and James in his career.

O'Neal won three championships with the 'Black Mamba' and then secured his fourth as part of the Miami Heat.

He played for the Orlando Magic when Jordan was with the Bulls and often met the six-time NBA champion in regular season and playoffs.

Jordan was one of the best players of the game in the 90s, at that point Shaq was a young player making a name for himself in the league.

Although O'Neal has shared a locker room with James, he believes players in the current generation do not have respect for him like rivals and teammates had for Jordan and Bryant.

David Berding / Contributor via Getty Images

O'Neal makes a point about lack of fear factor for James

O'Neal was speaking about James on his The Big Podcast with Shaq alongside his former teammate Mario Chalmers. The guard was teammates with James during his stint with the Heat and the two had their share of problems.

Speaking on the fear factor LeBron lacks, Shaq said: "I've heard players say, including myself, 'I feared [Michael Jordan].' I've heard players in [Mario Chalmers's] generation say they feared Kobe, I've never really heard any player say they feared LeBron."

Chalmers added to O'Neal's point, "You know I got killed for that, when I first said that I got killed for that.

"I didn't think players really feared LeBron like they did Jordan and it's not that you shouldn't fear Bron, I just think at the end of the day, Bron has been through so much that he wanted to be liked."

MJ against Kobe and Shaq (Paul Bereswill/Newsday via Getty Images)

James has won four championships in the NBA and his longevity is something that is not probably going to be repeated.

Having played 22 years already, James has confirmed that he is all set for next season and will also be looking to win a championship with the LA Lakers.

The 40-year-old has always been involved in the GOAT debate with Jordan, but James revealed in his interview with Pat McAfee about the respect he has for the Jumpman.

His ability to affect the game has not dropped despite his age and even now when he goes at speed towards the basket, it is likely that James gets a monstrous dunk that leaves the crowd amazed.