Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen talk epic smack in Lakers vs. Bulls battle

Shaquille O'Neal and Scottie Pippen have waded into the long, arduous history that is sports hypotheticals.

O'Neal, who seems to enjoy reminiscing about all the great teams he played for during his standout NBA career, decided he'd inflame the passions of Lakers and Chicago Bulls fans everywhere with a simple post to Instagram on Monday.

We would beat em by fifty "what you think". Let me know and don't hold back

A photo posted by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jul 19, 2015 at 5:29pm PDT

As expected, O'Neal received plenty of love and hate for his blindsided shot across the social media bow, and Pippen was among those who disagreed with the idea that the greatest Lakers of all time could beat the greatest Bulls.

Sorry @shaq but I don't get caught up in hypotheticals. All I know is we won 6 titles, twice the amount you claimed while in LA...

A photo posted by Scottie Pippen (@scottiepippen) on Jul 20, 2015 at 1:55pm PDT

O'Neal then showed off his acute photo-editing skills by suggesting Pippen was little more than a sidekick to Michael Jordan.

Sorry @scottiepippen I don't believe in hypotheticals either, but I seen most of those final you did ok , but this guy did most the work . #youwereok steve kerr and Ron harper deserve more credit than you , remember I WAS BATMAN YOU WAS ROBIN , I was PUFFY YOU WAS MASE...

A photo posted by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jul 20, 2015 at 3:10pm PDT

Anybody need a T MOBILE SIDEKICK. I GOTTa PRETTY GOOD ONE #BESTSIDEKICKEVER

A photo posted by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jul 20, 2015 at 3:56pm PDT

At this point, the social media war was personal. No longer were the two debating Lakers vs. Bulls. It devolved into who was better: Shaq or Pippen?

Easy big fella... if only you were as good at free throws as you are talking smack! @shaq

A photo posted by Scottie Pippen (@scottiepippen) on Jul 20, 2015 at 5:07pm PDT

Speaking of being a sidekick... if I recall correctly you know a thing or two about that as well. @shaq

A photo posted by Scottie Pippen (@scottiepippen) on Jul 20, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT

O'Neal then went to the video archive to show how he and Kobe Bryant teamed up to beat Pippen during the Portland Trail Blazers' 2000 Western Conference finals meltdown.

See what happens @scottiepippen when Michael Jordan ain't protecting you, you lose a 17 pt lead in the fourth quarter. And this happens

A video posted by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jul 20, 2015 at 10:43pm PDT

It's good to see NBA players don't lose their competitive instincts and acumen for taunting after they retire. My only question is: Would a Phil Jackson-coached Lakers team beat a Phil Jackson-coached Bulls team?