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And the score is Shaq:1, LeBron: 1210. The back-and-forth between Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James continues. After Shaq’s comments on The Big Podcast, it’s King James’ turn. Though they’re evidentially all in good humor and without malice, their comments have split the NBA community. This time James is getting a lot of enjoyment from taking a dig at the Big Aristotle.

The King shared a post on his Instagram Stories that showed Shaquille O’Neal played 1,207 games in his entire NBA career spanning 19 seasons. Whereas in the 1,480 career games LeBron James has played, he’s had 1,210 consecutive games with 10+ points. “Why is this so funny to me!!” James mused on his Stories, driving up the taunt with a shrug and a dozen laughing emojis.

This could be a stinging clapback to what Shaq recently commented on him. The most dominant center in NBA history, who even Michael Jordan claimed to have feared, felt that Bron was a “nice guy” when they were teammates for the 2009-2010 season at the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was a debate stirred by Mario Chalmers, James’ teammate in Miami, last year. As a guest on the podcast, he agreed with Shaq. He said the King‘s likeability made him less intimidating.

The nice guy has always shown evidence of following Shaq’s podcast and he’s heard the comments. He just had to remind Shaq that he wasn’t as productive at the end of his career as much as LeBron remains in year 21.

Shaquille O’Neal provoked LeBron James

Shaq and Bron have that bickering siblings dynamic. So this is a little humorous back-and-forth between them. Yet, Shaq triggered more than a few LeBron fans when he said, “I’ve heard players say — including myself, — ‘I feared [Michael Jordan].’ I’ve heard players in your generation say they feared Kobe [Bryant]. I’ve never really heard any players say they fear LeBron.” 

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O’Neal brought up how players feared Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Something rarely said about James. Others like Channing Frye who played with James contended that there are many who are wary of playing against Bron in a playoff game. Note: even Shaq riled up Inside the NBA by saying LeBron’s Lakers “will” topple top-seeded Oklahoma.

The originator of this debate, Chalmers said it’s not a bad thing that James would rather earn respect than fear. His growing stack of scoring records, including more consecutive double digit games than Shaq’s career, do bring that respect. Do you think LeBron James instills that fearsome respect?