Shaquille O'Neal makes his feelings clear on the Michael Jordan and LeBron James GOAT debate

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has spoken about the Michael Jordan and LeBron James GOAT debate.

During his own career, O’Neal won the NBA on four occasions and played for the likes of Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

Over the years, there have been debates surrounding which one of Jordan or James is the GOAT of the sport.

Speaking recently on ‘The Big Podcast’ alongside his former Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers, Shaq spoke about how he feared Jordan but hasn’t heard anyone fearful of James.

He said, as per talkSPORT: “I've heard players say, including myself, 'I feared Mike’. I've heard players in [Chalmers'] generation say they feared Kobe (Bryant).

“I've never really heard any player say they feared LeBron.”

Chalmers then said: “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. So, it was kind of like... 'I'm going to do things now so that people like me, people respect me.’

“I mean [people are] always going to respect what [he] did but you're actually going to like 'Bron and want to be a fan of 'Bron now. So I think that's what that was…”

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During an illustrious career, Jordan won six NBA championships whilst playing for the Chicago Bulls.

After retiring from the sport, the American continued to be one of the biggest sportspersons in the world due to his work with Nike.

Meanwhile, James has won four NBA titles having represented the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers so far in his career.

The 39-year-old was also named NBA Finals MVP and NBA Most Valuable Player on four occasions.

Previously speaking about James, Jordan said: “We play in different eras. He’s an unbelievable player. He’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. I know it’s a natural tendency to compare eras to eras, and it’s going to continue to happen. I’m a fan of his, I love watching him play.

“But when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is. It’s just a stand-up measurement. I take it with a grain of salt. He is a heck of a basketball player without a doubt.”