Shaq thinks MJ would beat LeBron, Dr. J would beat them both

Shaquille O'Neal rarely passes up an opportunity to join a debate, and the recent LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan 1-on-1 argument is no different.

O'Neal, in Hong Kong with Mike Miller promoting an energy drink, was asked about the mythical matchup. Shaq - who played against Jordan in his prime and both against and with James in his - is sticking with MJ.

From Agence France Presse:

It would be an interesting game. Young LeBron was more like Magic Johnson. He was sort of like Magic with Jordan's abilities. He liked to pass, and he liked to get it up. But Mike was Mike. He was just special, like no one else. He always did things no one else could do, and things you couldn't compare to anyone else. So he was special, and he'd win.

Then Shaq threw a twist into the equation by bringing up Julius Erving. The longtime Philadelphia 76ers superstar, who last played in the NBA back in 1987, was the league's first showcase dunker, with an acrobatic game that inspired young players of the 1970s and '80s.

"I've seen young Mike and young LeBron and I must say Dr. J is still my favourite player," O'Neal said. "A lot of people today don't even mention his name but to me I still think he was the best. But these are questions that we'll never know the answer to."

The Sixers' social media department immediately sprung into action, eager to remember long-gone glory days.

Knowing such matchup debates are essentially pointless, Shaq then summarized it as only Shaq could, with a tip of the cap to his Hong Kong surroundings.

It's a bit like if I met (the late martial artist and actor) Bruce Lee in an alleyway. Who would win? You'll never know. Some people say well Bruce would kick Shaq's ass. Some people say well Shaq is two times bigger than Bruce Lee. It's a good question, a good conversation. But we'll never know.