### Shaquille O'Neal Unveils His Top 50 NBA Players for 2024-25 Season

With the 2024-25 NBA season set to begin next week, various media outlets are rolling out their player rankings. However, at Bleacher Report, the analysis reaches a new level of authority with the rankings provided by the iconic Inside the NBA team. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith have each crafted their own top 50 player lists, and today we focus on Shaquille O'Neal's selections.

"You have to be a winner," Shaq emphasized when explaining the criteria behind his rankings. For O'Neal, the measuring stick for greatness is heavily weighted by team success. At the pinnacle of his list are players like Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have secured championships, and Luka Dončić, who has come exceedingly close.

Shaq also shed light on the flexibility within his rankings, particularly in the lower spots where the distinctions between players become less pronounced. For instance, the difference between the player at No. 22 and the one at No. 42 is marginal, given the current rich pool of talent in the NBA.

"Rankings like this are going to be fluid," O'Neal noted, acknowledging the thin margins that separate elite players. The intricacies of such rankings underscore the immense skill level present in today's league, making each placement a subject of lively debate.