"James Harden is not 49th-best player" - Shaquille O'Neal drops disclaimer following his Top 50 list reveal

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has teased fans with what to expect from his Top 50 players list. O'Neal ranked 50 active players according to how he sees fit. Before he revealed his list, however, he sent a disclaimer for fans who might have a different opinion on what he'll come up with.

Shaq has never been shy in sharing his opinion. As a former star player who won four championships, his standards are high and up to a standard of what he thinks a star should achieve. This is why he doesn't hold back in criticizing talented players who haven't won titles yet.

Some players, on the other hand, have not been fans of the opinions of the former LA Lakers star. That's why, before he released his top 50 list, he sent out a disclaimer on what he wants players to achieve when they see their name out of the top ten.

"If you made the list, that means I really love you and I respect you and I want you to win a championship," Shaq said on Thursday. "And good luck to you and your organization. But don't get upset if you see your name at 30, 40 or 50. James Harden is not the 49th-best player, but he made the list, he made the Top 50.

"But he's also not in my top 10, either. If it's not at the top 10, I don't even think you should be upset about it. What you should be doing is trying to get your name up in that top 10. Actually, top five. Forget the top 10, top five."

Bleacher Report has released the first 30 players on Shaq's list, with LA Clippers guard James Harden coming in at No. 49. The remaining 20 players from his list will be revealed on TNT's "Inside the NBA."

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Shaquille O'Neal's co-hosts also made their Top 50 lists

Aside from Shaquille O'Neal, his longtime co-hosts at "Inside the NBA" also made their lists. Former NBA star Charles Barkley and two-time champion Kenny "The Jet" Smith made their own Top 50 lists. Luckily, all three hosts have different players at No. 49.

For Barkley, he placed New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby at the spot, while Smith had Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal. Like O'Neal, the first 30 players of their lists were already revealed but the last 20 will be announced on their show.

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Both Chuck and Smith didn't have Harden in their top 30, which could mean that he might be included in the top 20. There's also a chance that both analysts left out the 10-time All-Star off their lists.

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