Whenever debates arise about the greatest center in NBA history, names such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Hakeem Olajuwon are almost always mentioned. In many cases, that exclusive group also features LA Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal.
At the height of his powers in the early 2000s, Shaq was widely viewed as one of the most dominant forces the NBA had ever seen. The Lakers controlled the league during their three-peat from 2000 through 2002, and O’Neal’s overwhelming presence in the paint was a major reason for that success.
With four NBA titles, three Finals MVP awards, a regular-season MVP, 15 All-Star appearances, and 14 All-NBA selections—including eight First Team honours—O’Neal’s resume stacks up against virtually any center in league history. He has never been one to downplay his accomplishments either, frequently reminding fans and fellow players about his four championship rings. Charles Barkley knows that better than most.
Considering both his peak dominance and career achievements, O’Neal has a strong argument for being regarded as the greatest center ever. Yet, when asked about the distinction, he pointed to another basketball legend.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Pick For Greatest NBA Center
Despite often highlighting his own accomplishments and status as the most dominant big man ever, O’Neal has consistently shown respect for the stars who paved the way. In fact, he once identified a Boston Celtics legend as the greatest center the sport has ever seen.
During his Hall of Fame induction speech, Shaq immediately gave that honour to the late Bill Russell.
“Bill Russell… give it up to the greatest big man to ever play the game.”
That praise stands in sharp contrast to the way he talks about Rudy Gobert or Dwight Howard in recent years. Even so, it demonstrates the tremendous admiration Shaq has for one of the most celebrated players in Celtics history.
Russell, who died in July 2022, attended O’Neal’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2016. Shaq took the opportunity to acknowledge the unmatched impact Russell had on basketball and recognise him as one of the game’s foundational superstars.
O’Neal also shared a personal story, revealing that Russell offered him important advice the first time they met—guidance that remained with him throughout his life. As one of the presenters at Shaq’s induction, Russell clearly left a lasting impression. He was also the man who encouraged Shaq to end his feud with Kobe Bryant in 2006 after the difficult break-up of their Lakers partnership.
Bill Russell’s Legendary NBA Career
There is little debate regarding Russell’s status as the greatest winner in NBA history. Serving as the centrepiece of the Celtics dynasty, he guided Boston to an incredible 11 championships across 13 seasons, including an astonishing streak of eight consecutive titles from 1959 through 1966. No player has matched that accomplishment.
The phrase “records are made to be broken” is often repeated in sports. Russell’s collection of 11 championship rings, however, appears likely to remain untouched.
On the individual side, Russell captured five league MVP awards. Although he earned 11 All-NBA selections during his career, only three were First Team honours. Many of those top-team selections instead went to his legendary rival, Wilt Chamberlain.
While Chamberlain accumulated more eye-popping individual numbers, Russell consistently secured the prize that mattered most at the end of the season. That contrast may help explain why he did not include Russell among his 10 greatest players ever.
Unlike Shaq, Russell was never known primarily for scoring. He never averaged 20 points per game in a season and finished his career shooting 44.0 percent from the field.
His true value came on the defensive side of the court. Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing roughly 215 pounds, Russell relied on his athleticism, anticipation, and versatility to overwhelm opponents. He was an elite rim protector who could also switch across multiple positions when necessary.
The Los Angeles Lakers icon made a huge claim about this Hall of Famer.
The NBA did not officially track defensive categories such as blocks and steals until the 1973-74 season, several years after Russell retired. Even without those statistics on record, he still owns the highest defensive win share total in league history at 133.62. Tim Duncan ranks second with 106.34.
Russell and O’Neal never had the opportunity to face each other in competition. Still, basketball fans can only imagine how fascinating it would have been to watch The Diesel battle one of the greatest defenders ever—and, in Shaq’s view, the greatest center in NBA history.
Inter Milan have reached an agreement to sign Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones for €35million (£30million), according to Fabrizio Romano.
Jones spent last season on the periphery of Arne Slot’s squad at Anfield, starting just 18 Premier League games for the Dutch manager. This has prompted the player and his representatives to explore potential moves, and Inter have subsequently emerged as the team to pry him away from his boyhood club.
A verbal agreement has been reached between the two clubs, although a consensus on personal terms is yet to be reached.
However, the deal is expected to materialise, with a medical for the player being planned.
Jones will leave Liverpool having made 228 appearances for the Merseysiders, winning two Premier League titles in the process.
It’s set to be a busy end to the transfer window at Anfield. The Reds have already recruited Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz but Andoni Iraola is yet to add an experienced forward to his front line following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
All signs point towards that being Paris Saint-Germain star Barcola, who has refused to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes and subsequently been left out of the matchday squad by Luis Enrique. The Frenchman’s arrival at Liverpool could trigger the sale of Gakpo.
Tottenham Hotspur prepare £70m Liverpool bid
Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof has provided the latest on Gakpo’s future when speaking to The Redmen TV. The reporter claims that discussions about the player are already underway behind the scenes between Liverpool and Tottenham.
The things that I’ve heard around the player and Tottenham Hotspur is that he’s open to the move. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so he’s not desperate to leave, but when they come over and make him a star player and all the things are set up… I think it could be a very quick transfer.
“Spurs have already announced to Liverpool that they are coming in with a bid when Barcola or another striker is coming in [to Anfield].
“They already know what Liverpool are demanding, around £70million. With Barcola already coming in – and Barcola is not coming for the bench, he’s coming to play on the left wing.”
Gakpo made 52 appearances across all competitions last season under Arne Slot, and managed just nine goals and six assists across those outings. Those 15 goal contributions were a fall from the 25 the winger hit over the 2024/25 campaign.
Cody Gakpo goal contributions at Liverpool:
Goals
Assists
Goal Contributions
2022/23
7
3
10
2023/24
16
7
23
2024/25
18
7
25
2025/26
9
6
15
The £250,000-a-week forward enjoyed an impressive World Cup with three goals and an assist for the Netherlands, but faces serious competition on the left flank should Barcola arrive at Liverpool. Iraola also has rising star Munoz competing for a place, following his £34.5 million move from Osasuna.
Those arrivals are believed to have led to Gakpo believing his long-term future is not at Liverpool and, while he will not press the club for an exit this summer, the chance to be a starting XI shoo-in under Roberto De Zerbi is a tempting prospect.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
It would be another marquee addition for Tottenham, who have already spent considerably over £200 million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer.
Spurs spent significant sums on Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel last summer but the trio of forwards failed to impress as the North London side flirted with relegation under Thomas Frank.
Gakpo only signed a new deal with Liverpool last year and is under contract at Anfield until 2030. The Reds paid around £40 million to sign the player from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023.
The New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys’ joint practice session looked more like a WWE match at times, with Brock Rechsteiner at the heart of the action.
Son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner and current Superstar Bron Breakker, Rechsteiner followed up a minicamp tryout by signing with the Saints earlier this year.
Several fights reportedly broke out during Tuesday’s session, with altercations reaching double digits. Rechsteiner’s physical battle with Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson caught the eye, going viral on social media.
Son of WWE Hall of Famer Goes Viral in NFL Fight
In a clip that surfaced online, the 23-year-old initially got heated with Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson. After his face mask was almost pulled off, Rechsteiner then turned his attention to Thompson, who was one of many players to get themselves involved in the scuffle.
Members of both teams flew into the heart of the fight, with Thompson quickly finding himself stuck in a waistlock. Rechsteiner then tossed his opponent up in the air with a suplex, a move his father and cousin would be proud of. Watch the footage below.
It wasn’t the only controversial moment of the session. Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku threw a punch before being tossed by officials. Meanwhile, Erik McCoy of the Saints threw an opponent’s helmet in the air. NBC claimed as many as 10 fights broke out.
Brian Schottenheimer, the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach, spoke out about the incidents. He shared his annoyance, saying (per talkSPORT): “Right now, I’m in charge of fight club. We’re going to play on the edge and we’re not going to take s*** from anybody.”
He then admitted it was a two-sided issue, with his players giving as good as they got. “But at the same time, I don’t think (the Saints) were the only ones stirring up the s***. I think we might’ve been stirring it up as well. It was a sloppy practice all in all, and it’s got to be better.”
Fans Suggest Career Change For NFL Star
After watching the clip, many fans have suggested Rechsteiner has a future career in the squared circle. After all, his family ties indicate he could have what it takes to make it as a WWE Superstar.
One fan wrote on X: “Can’t wait for him and Bron to win the tag titles in five years,” while another added: “You can easily see how Brock Rechsteiner is Scott Steiner’s son.”
“Gotta pick someone else to mess with. That guy was raised in a family of monsters,” was the assessment of one X user. It’s also believed that the clip of his recent suplex will live on in memory: “This is going to be on his highlights when he goes to WWE in the future.”
