Shaquille O'Neal had the coldest response when asked if he avoided talking smack to Michael Jordan on an NBA court

Shaquille O'Neal has insisted he daren't mess with NBA legend Michael Jordan out of pure respect.

The two players only faced off a handful of times during their respective careers, with Jordan still considered the greatest to ever play the sport.

O'Neal enjoyed success as a four-time NBA champion, winning honours with the LA Lakers and Miami Heat.

Recently asked whether there were any players he didn't talk back to on the court, the Lakers legend offered a cold response on the matter.

"Michael Jordan," he responded. "You don't want to mess with God. You got to stay away from Mike. Leave that man alone."

Despite playing in different positions, it is clear O'Neal knew that rubbing Jordan up the wrong way would only provoke the wrong response.

A serial winner, the 52-year-old also told the PDB Podcast he always gave his all no matter the circumstances.

"So, when I'm playing on that court, you can't outplay me," O'Neal said.

"Because if you are, you're taking my mother's house away, and I can't have that.

"I will damn near kill you, before I let you take my mother's house."

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Jordan's stature in the NBA will forever be felt and he is still widely considered the best to ever do it.

O'Neal has also, in the past, admitted he will forever remember the fear he felt when preparing to face the former Chicago Bulls great.

"I was terrified of Michael Jordan. I don’t know why," he said earlier this year.

"Maybe it’s because I saw him on the posters or whatever. But like, when we went to Chicago, the old Chicago arena – remember we had to walk up those steps?

"I don’t know if you remember that. And they said his name, and like he did those first couple of moves.

"I’m like, ‘Man, this motherf***er’s perfect."