NBA Vault: Shaquille O'Neal Rookie Year Highlights

The NBA goes into the vault again and shows another video of great rookie highlights from one of its superstars. Take a look at the instant impact Shaq was able to make for the Orlando Magic.

[@derajrm]

They re-designed NBA backboards cause of this guy...

[@user-ux2sv7xm4o]

L E G E N D

[@daryllloyd4441]

Seriously

[@charlestinotenda8358]

They will redesign once more because of ZION

[@markoligaya560]

@@charlestinotenda8358 not even close

[@justsomeguywithouthair4113]

@@charlestinotenda8358 Crazy how badly this aged

[@itssandrew]

shaq wouldve had like at least 6 championships if he didnt love food so much

[@joshuahaynes7128]

itssandrew shaq could've averaged 40 and 20 easily .... shaq and kobe is the most talented 1-2 punch in history and it's not even close .... imagine shaq in today's undersized league lol ...

[@Sneakycastro69]

Everyone loves food

[@adamyoung7999]

or if he could hit free throws

[@paquinraino8180]

@Ta-Kuan Fuan AD, Giannis, Embiid, Jokic, and KAT are starting dominating in the league and Gobert and Harrell are dominating defensively so how don't see how today's league made big men obsolete

[@ericzhu7758]

@@paquinraino8180 all of them are nothing compared to Shaq

[@87steaks]

Kids today just never understand how great the 90's were. Orlando Shaq is one of the many things that were great about the early 90's.

[@yerik6034]

I’m sure the 90’s were great, but comparing just ruins the enjoyment of the game. People born in the 2000’s and 2010’s all get to experience legendary players and moments in basketball history just like the 90’s, they didn’t miss anything just saw it though other players

[@Griswolddj]

@@yerik6034 todays basketball is an absolute disservice to anybody that never got to experience Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, it’s a mutual understanding amongst professionals that they aren’t gonna give it everything for 82 games, once you make the league you made it that’s all they care about

[@yerik6034]

@@Griswolddj that’s a wild take

[@kingrowla]

@@yerik6034 it's true though, guaranteed money and they'll find the bench and smile.

[@thomaswidjanarko273]

this rookie shaq can bully all of NBA player this day

[@jjbuttons]

Easily!!!

[@joshuahaynes7413]

TrustMeI'mLikeaSmartPerson #NoWallNoBan mcghee lol are u serious lol there isn't any good centers in today's garbage watered down league... that's why I laugh so much when kids try and say today's nba is more talented than ever hahaha no it's not .. the 17 warriors are a good offensive team but there not top 5 alltime teams. .. if the cavs didn't disappear with 1 minute to go in game 3 that series was going 7 ... and the cavs aren't a great team alltime standards . . 80s lakers n celtics would own the nba today especially that celtics frontline of bird-mchale-parish. modern nba is a joke and has gotten unwatchable at times.

[@bbhjuan3451]

Joshua Haynes that warriors team is an all time team.....

[@brianscalabrine198]

joshua no knows that for sure.

[@jacobmelanson3210]

bbh Juan Absolutely not.

[@ashleypogi13]

Dwight Howard should be ashamed of being called superman. He can't do half the things Shaq did. This video didn't even show his other post moves, just dunks. lol

[@UberKrispy]

He didn'nt have any other post moves

[@oneman9121]

+Rodney Palmer I'm sorry but you can't average 29 points without post moves. In terms of post moves and footwork, only Hakeem Olajuwon was better than Shaq. Only ignorant and uneducated individuals would think Shaq didn't have post moves.

[@oneman9121]

+Rodney Palmer Ewing was slow, Robinson was athletic (but he was a stiff), Mutombo was a stiff, and Mourning was a stiff. Of the 90's centers, only Shaq and Olajuwon had 'great' post moves and nimbleness.

[@UberKrispy]

oneman9121 Sounds like you got a crush on Shaq LOL

[@dwighthoward6064]

+Rodney Palmer You dont need post move you just SHAQ

[@Sneakz4Weekz17]

Man I remember when Shaq could really push the ball up court. An unstoppable force.

[@jdanger4262]

The only one that stopped Shaq was father time.

[@UberKrispy]

Father Time is undefeated.

[@LaPride247]

jdanger4262 you mean food lol

[@JayBlack41510]

jdanger4262 Shaq actually stopped himself. He didn't care about the nutritional side of being an athlete. The dude that you see in this video could have been the best center ever.

[@joshuahaynes7413]

JayBlack41510 easily ... 2000 shaq was his best year and id take that shaq against any center ever . . how do.u match up with that kinda strength man ...

[@tubenachos]

No that would be McDonald's

[@poloregal]

If he would have kept this weight? Greatest ever

[@JayBlack41510]

Marc Regal I was thinking the same thing while watching the video. I forgot what young Shaq was like. Unbelievable!

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

Olajuwon still destroyed "skinny" Shaq.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

@Robert Horry that's kind of the point I was trying to make lol that even if Shaq were slim, guys like Hakeem and Wilt would still be better overall.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

@Robert Horry You do realize that Wilt was stronger AND faster than Shaq right?

[@lyes215]

@@joeyjo-joshabadu9636 a seasoned nba player whom also the center with most skills of history, there is absolutely no shame to be overwhelmed by Hakeem for a rookie. Even Shaq.

[@pangdogmichael]

imagine he stayed in shape through out his career

[@gypate74]

He was such an amazing athlete

[@u.r.i.a.h.]

@BIG SUGE lol

[@hidatsa]

imagine if he would have develope a jumpshot.

[@tupacthuglife4510]

damn young shaq is athletic

[@MrShelterman]

+MrBrenman21 VERY athletic for a big man. but I will concede that he is referring to shaq in his later years when you didn't even see him on the tv cause he was catching wind walking up the court and treading lightly on them beat up knees. but even then the old man had some crazy bursts of energy which made him look like he was in a whole other league. but man that guys size weighed him down and made him some slow in his older years.

[@brianscalabrine198]

he was most athletic with orland tho.

[@parkinsaw]

Well not true Pheonix was motivated to slim up a bit and looked rejuvenated, just wasn't fast enough, for Phoenixes insane speed.

[@joshuahaynes7128]

kevin parker shaq was old in Phoenix nowhere near prime shaq .... a player like prime shaq is what it takes to beat a team like today's warriors or rockets ..... Phil Jackson would slow the game down and bang inside with the diesel and havw the warriors whole frontline in foul trouble.... we won't ever see another duo like shaq and kobe again ... two arguably top 5 all-time players om the same team

[@praklang264]

This is the time when shaq have pure muscle no fats.

[@Wazzamazizzi]

He could have been the best player ever, I really love the old shaq. I enjoyed the way he showed the likes of Ewing, Robinson and Malone who was boss. SHAQ!! KILL!! 7'1" freak of nature. Have you any idea how unique it is for a guy to be that big, that fast, that strong and so coordinated?

[@tengrici431]

zero skills.

[@haroonkhader]

bros blind 😭😭😭

[@DemiRonin]

Damn...his rookie highlights look better than DHoward's Allstar yr highlights

[@Ultralightaman]

Magic was one of my favorite teams to watch. Penny, Shaq, Nick Anderson, 3D, Ho Grant were problematic. People forget how fast, quick and athletic young Shaq was.

[@blackcharles1726]

Shaq should have stayed slimmer even though the extra weight made him impossible to bang with in the paint....a slimmer more athletic shaq would have been able to hang with Ben Wallace stamina wise when going for the 4 peat

[@stoneharper7038]

Lol seeing 7’2” Shaq run the fast break as effortlessly as he did is still one of basketballs prettiest sites

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

He is 7 foot 1. Wilt Chamberlain was 7 foot 1 and a half and Kareem is 7 foot 2.

[@Tooflyforairplanes]

Shaq is definitely one of the greatest players to ever play the game...He will be missed.A very impressive and exciting 19 year career. A TRUE LEGEND RIGHT THERE!!!

[@horton4858]

god damn I had to stop myself from screaming at this. 23 points on 56% shooting, 14 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game before he could drink alcohol. No other player will ever reach this level of physical dominance

[@jjbuttons]

My favorite player of all time!!! He was so dominate and great in all aspects except free throw shooting. But he made them in the playoffs when it counted!!! Shaq Diesel!!!

[@twanwilson9481]

💪💯

[@patarpon15]

Young Shaq is a mix of zion and giannis best parts

[@Amjbmcg]

Greatest rookie of all time.

[@elude9564]

Mj?

[@jcramberry]

@@elude9564 wilt, he was rookie and MVP

[@elude9564]

@@jcramberry true

[@ThatGuy-jk9kq]

Rookie Lebron was pretty crazy

[@Taannkk]

@@ThatGuy-jk9kq Melo was statistically better

[@lishtins]

Magic Shaq was my favorite, and debatably better than Lakers Shaq

[@yogengrg7690]

If only he would stick to his diet, he would have won more championships. but nonetheless he's still a beast!

[@beazy3364]

He did stick to his diet, he always ate terribly and his metabolism eventually slowed down as he got older.

[@ПетрНардин]

Rookie Shaq - much more dangerous than "fat" L. Lakers version.

[@gnarlymcgnarlson6952]

Anyone remember the Taco bell promotion when Hakeem and shaq were supposed to play 1 on 1 ?

[@RiffRock51]

Double-decker taco. One likes crunchy, the other soft.

[@leoleorueras904]

Man, Kobe is right when he said this guy could’ve been GOAT.

[@DavidStewart-np3cj]

Goodness that leaping ability!! If he stayed skinny, he could've been even more dominant. That's scary to think about.

[@805fillmore7]

Yes actually.

[@j5daniel182]

Anyone saying Shaq was all power without skills should just go bury their heads in the sand.

[@1990parris]

imagine if he could've shot FTS would've averaged near enough 40 points a game literally every season for 10 plus years .

[@joshuahaynes7128]

ROMESH RANGANATHAN aka KUGANS BROTHER shaq believe it or.not.always made the clutch free throws lol ... shaq was a monster period .... buy the early 00-01-02-03 Shaq was unstoppable cauze he bulked up .... I'd take 00 mvp shaq over any player ever

[@manofaith75]

God understands balance he would not allow Shaq to be a good ft shooter or that would make his other God given abilities unfair to the rest of mankind.

[@shane8109]

G 1 Shaq - 26 pts (10/16) 16 rebs 3 blks 9 asts Hakeem - 31 pts (13/26) 6 rebs 4 blks 7 asts G 2 Shaq - 34 pts (14/30) 11 rebs 4 blks 2 asts Hakeem - 33 pts (12/22) 12 rebs 0 blks 7 asts G 3 Shaq - 28 pts (11/17) 10 rebs 3 blks 6 asts Hakeem - 31 pts (14/30) 14 rebs 0 blks 7 asts G 4 Shaq - 25 pts (11/19) 12 rebs 4 blks 3 asts Hakeem - 35 pts (15/30) 15 rebs 0 blks 6 asts average Shaq - 28.25 pts (46/82 [56%]) 12.25 rebs 3.5 blks 5 asts Hakeem - 32.5 pts (54/108 [50%]) 11.75 rebs 1 blk 6.75 asts

[@99Drema99]

1:55 aw man, shaq never loses his humor. He's deff the funniest guy that ever touched the nba

[@Lymbe06]

Ugh I hate the court side camera shots. It doesn’t do justice to what Shaq did to those defenders.

[@youngin.coolin5441]

Anyone else see Scott Skiles throwin some dimes?

[@unsocial25]

One time 30🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️he should’ve AVERAGED 30 assists cause shaq was UNSTOPPABLE....... This was in the era of BIGS........ and he was a NIGHTMARE........ imagine what he would do to SMALL BALL TEAM😂😂😂

[@TheRealist1.]

Imagine if he didn't get fat! I forgot he used to lead the break

[@phillipcollier6176]

O'Neal runs the ball, takes it all the way!!!

[@mnb4414]

His athleticism reminds me of a young Charles Barkley with more post ups and obviously bigger

[@cvision17]

EVERYONE will miss Shaq when he's time comes to move away from the game of basketball, even people that are not fond of the NBA got to give it up for this man. He entertains the NBA as well as the whole world like no one can.

[@Bazwhalie]

I watched Shaq play the other day and I almost forgot how agile he once was. Who didn't he posterize? Fan est.1993

[@akinpounds]

He and Hakeem are the best centers.

[@Smokey-241]

Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russel Kareem Abdul Jabbar Tim Duncan

[@patarpon15]

If he had kobe' work ethic and mentality, he'd be the GOAT

[@patarpon15]

@Robert Horry did i ever said kobe better than shaq in my previous comment? and also i quoted kobe during his interview with patrick bet david and it is a compliment fo shaq, so never ever accuse someone like that again because you look stupid.

[@patarpon15]

@Robert Horry well sure you do look stupid

[@Kevle110]

damn so quick, so athletic, so much skills, so powerful... I wish i that i´ve had the chance to watch him at his prime. ... GO SHAQ FU !!!

[@beeoakclifftexascraig5706]

BBQ 🍗🍗🍗🍗💯💪🏾💯💪🏾🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@d-a-s-h3113]

Man if Shaq was in shape during his prime like he was in his rookie season, he would have been a straight monster.

[@yoshiki.g1450]

He purposely gain weight during his prime so he could be even more dominant in the paint but i get your point and even i would prefer this athletic and agile rookie shaq during his prime years too. 😊

[@alonsolopez3541]

I agree here he was 300lbd and lean… it seems like two years later he was at least 50lbs heavier and then was pushing 400 legit.. that’s why Those early laker years he was getting hurt a lot

[@dealpha3698]

He is like Giannis but with the intent to kill when he attacks the rim

[@markohint444]

For me Shaqs rookie year was his prime year :) Look how good he was at defence on that time. 3,5 block per game.

[@cardbored_]

Totally agree. I hate how most people picture him in a Lakers uniform. Not me, I will always visualize him in those striped Magic jerseys.

[@mikekillagreen9432]

He could run like a gazelle and was in great shape but the passing and footwork and prime strength was 1999-2002

[@smoothhoopinal]

I laugh even harder when I look at this prime Shaq and think about all the Kobe fans that speak about his first 3 rings without giving this man some props too. Lebron didn't inherit this Shaq, but I think he's going to make a damn good run with the 38 year old version.

[@linkintamho6165]

If he played in modern nba like this in his prime he might score 100

[@Diamante777]

Giannis is a modern day Shaq and even Shaq admitted that Giannis is superior because of the current era of basketball being able to be open minded and adapt to their star players

[@ericzhu7758]

Diamante Villalobos Giannis is a Playoff choker. Nowhere near Shaq’s level

[@Diamante777]

Eric Zhu Shaq couldn’t beat Jordan and they called him a choker too. Giannis has some hot competition because they’re just so many good players today it’s insane. Even then Giannis is considered to be the best of those which is insane.

[@dontayedaniels5710]

Diamante Villalobos the best of who? He’s not even top 5

[@dontayedaniels5710]

Especially with these new rules he would feast. People used to hack tf out of shaq

[@drexalexander]

See. That's where history comes in. Bill Russell was neither small or white, and the Celtics stopped Wilt for years. It wasn't until after Russell retired that Wilt won a ring. And besides Wilt was 7'1" and 275. That's still pretty big in todays game.

[@astroboy314]

I never used to like Shaq, but watching this I've gained a better appreciation for just how good he was... I'd forgotten he was so athletic at the start of his career... wow.

[@sokkersweep22]

I'd also like to say that the only thing LeBron is better at skill-wise than Jordan is his passing (best ever IMO). I do not think LeBron is more talented defending, shooting, scoring, dribbling, or rebounding because of what I saw from both of them. LeBron will get more rebounds because he plays closer to the basket and he is 3 inches taller and 50 pounds bigger. He is still good, but I'd only take LeBron over Jordan if I was looking for a PG

[@akinpounds]

Wilt played white boys. The second tallest center was like 6"8. He was a great player but not better than Shaq

[@jmlee84]

uhh no...he played against bill russell. the greatest winner in nba history

[@Thatpastaiscold]

jmlee84 Alright, fair enough. Now name the other great superstars he went up against.

[@jerrybronham]

Thatpastaiscold Bob Cousy, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Nate Thurmond.

[@Thatpastaiscold]

jerrybronham Haha alright? Such great competition.

[@UberKrispy]

Thatpastaiscold Those guys are all in the HOF

[@sokkersweep22]

Somehow this turned into us disagreeing. Players out of HS are going to be younger, so saying "Youngest player to ___" or comparing based on age isn't the way to go. LeBron is over halfway to Kareem's record in half as many seasons. Age-wise, he DOESN'T have to play as long because his number of seasons will still be equal much earlier. That was my point. If James breaks the record at a younger age it won't be as impressive as doing it in less seasons because season age is more important IMO

[@ballrude]

1992-93 was when the NBA was GREAT!

[@thexcommenterx1]

Today is better. Curry would run circles around every legend and drop the three like its nothing

[@MajorDude14]

+DabAndFap 😒😒😒😑😑😑

[@flashhd993]

+DabAndFap Stfu kid

[@simonwilder1994]

Sure, but not "looking good" isn't an argument against LeBron reaching the aforementioned statistical goals. He can not "look good" and still average 20+ into his late 30s. Your last argument (Jordan/Kobe) is pretty bad. An easily justifiable reason of why Jordan's latter seasons were better is because, well, he IS better. I'm almost certain, for instance, if Jordan came out of high school his stats would STILL be better than Kobe's at the same point in their careers.

[@fmercury86]

I saw some videos when he's in LA.... but this is amazing... he was a monster.

[@sokkersweep22]

Right they can still play, but Garnett hasn't looked very good the last several seasons and Kobe is still high-capacity scorer because he shoots so much. Garnett has essentially been on his way down coming to the Celtics. Kobe has kept his numbers up but his minutes are trending down and his shots are the same, so he is shooting more during his time on the court. Good? Bad? Indifferent IMO. Jordan was way better much older than Kobe, but hasn't played nearly the games or seasons. More quality

[@chrismooney9275]

Shaq made more great plays in his rookie season than Hakeem and Tim Duncan did in their entire careers. He dominated Duncan and Hakeem virtually every time he played them. Neither could guard him or stop him. He did nothing but win and dominate - 4 titles and 3 finals MVPs. Yet you still get fans and pundits praising Hakeem and Duncan over Shaq. As I said. He was a victim of the era he played in. Fans don't want to see loudmouth, confident, black people dominate. They just look for faults. Shaq should have won at least 4 MVPs. He probably should have won closer to 6. But he was constantly ignored as old, white pundits didn't want to reward the disrespectful black guy.

[@salamander5318]

+CJ Mooney Duncan dominated Shaq in the 2003 Playoffs and even an old Olajuwon dominated Shaq in 1995 and averaged almost 40 points per game against Shaq. Shaq isn't 1/10th the player Olajuwon or Duncan are.

[@LaPride247]

Sal Amander you're right about Hakeem but shitty ass Duncan comes no where close lmao

[@joshuahaynes7413]

LaPride247 dude shaq was in his 2nd or 3rrd year in them finals and was young and smaller and hakeem was playing his best ball and.still shaq had close numbers with a lesser team... take mvp 2000s shaq and he over powers hakeem easily

[@Kilo511]

You are way off the mark here. Everyone I knew growing up loved Shaq.

[@simonwilder1994]

Of the "very good" players that came out of high school, we have 34 year old Kobe who said he's going to play 3 or 4 more years, a 37 year old Kevin Garnett, and Moses Malone who played until age 39. The only player to come out of high school that was MVP caliber and fell off was McGrady. All other went deep into their 30s. Remember, they can fall off quite a bit and still be in the league making millions, and players today are playing longer than ever before. LeBron should be fine.

[@spoonfixer]

a prime lew alcindor sharing the ball with the big o. longevity. nobody has done more for longer. and in the 60's when he put up the outrageous numbers that was in a time where other than russel or pettit. wasnt a big man to stop him. stats from that era are padded by lame opposition. lame defenders at awe with his size. wilt was great but over the course of a career kareem did more.

[@simonwilder1994]

LOL...if you're going to go with a "check the stats" argument then Wilt is the most dominant...not even a close argument. 37.6 ppg / 27.0 reb 38.4 ppg / 27.2 reb 50.4 ppg / 25.7 reb 44.8 ppg / 24.3 reb 36.9 ppg / 22.3 reb 34.7 ppg / 22.9 reb 33.5 ppg / 24.6 reb / 5.2 ast 24.1 ppg / 24.2 reb / 7.8 ast 24.3 ppg / 23.8 reb / 8.6 ast (led NBA in assists) Oh, and he led the NBA in FG% in SIX of NINE of the above seasons.

[@simonwilder1994]

Meh, disagree. Heck, what initiated the entire Kobe/Shaq feud was Shaq coming into training camp out of shape. He also let injuries rob him of some of his prime seasons. Remember the whole "I got hurt on company time, so I'll rehab on company time"? Can you imagine how much someone like LeBron would be crucified if he said something like that? He could of been the GOAT; he'll have to settle for just being great.

[@YeeSoest]

Shaq and Dwight...idk...that comparison is like Kobe and LeBron...both INCREDIBLE ATHLETES but as they sometimes excell in different parts of the game, it´s hard to compare them. Dwight is a better jumper and has better timing in Defense, Shaq lived mainly off his huge strength and height. Also, he was a prototype of a new kind of dominant force while Dwight doesn´t have that luxury to find opponents barely prepared for his kind of play.

[@TwismBoy32]

@darethas Shaq led the league in FG% for 10 seasons: '94, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '04, '05, '06, '09. Broke Wilt's record. Wilt led the league 9 times. From '98 to '02 led five consecutive seasons. That shares with Wilt's record for consecutive seasons for winning the FG% title. Shaq averaged higher than 60% in '05, '06, and '09. Never shot lower than 55% in a season. Never placed lower than 4th in FG% in a season.

[@miXn]

wow ... so many things were on my mind watching this ... 1. hes fucking skinny and fast .. damn .. he can even run a fastbreak ... 2. great moves! 3. i finally know where lebron has his dancing moves from ... :) ... just kidding, but the end was HILARIOUS 4. holy shit, the nba SO changed ... look at how slow, big and fat all the ppl were ... ^^ :D ... 5. this fade when the camera moves fast and the light makes some kind of a thunder on the lens of the camera is gorgeous ... nice effect :)

[@simonwilder1994]

Deal. Btw, I realize LeBron is 17k away, but he has 4595 more points at the same age (actually, slightly younger), That would (basically) remove the need for LeBron to play past age 37. So, unless he blows out his knee, which seems unlikely, or pulls a Jordan-esque retirement, he's got a fantastic chance.

[@simonwilder1994]

I never argued it wasn't impressive, or that he wasn't dominant, just that he wasn't the "most dominant". And btw, I would bet money at even odds that either Kobe, LeBron, or Durant will end up with the all time record in points. Players are playing WAY longer than they used to, and all three got an early start on Mr. Jabbar.

[@spoonfixer]

what im saying is averaging 25 over 20 seasons is mpre impressive to me than averaging 30 over 14 seasons. its abput opinion i guess. kareem will never be eclipsed. he will be the scoring leader decades after yhis argument is ever decided. and ive changed nothing about my argument. 38000+ points = dominance.

[@simonwilder1994]

Yes, and the Big O and Dandridge would have been crashing the boards AT THE SAME TIME Wilt was going for them. And, btw, a Mr. Happy Hairston was averaging 11.8 rebounds per game during the span we're talking about (70-71 thru 72-73 ... when Wilt and Alcindor went head to head)...more than anyone on the Bucks team besides Mr. Alcindor himself.

[@simonwilder1994]

Career, okay: Kareem 24.6 pts / 11.2 reb / 3.6 ast Wilt: 30.1 pts / 22.9 reb / 4.4 ast And if you check their head-to-head stats, Wilt out rebounded Jabbar (18.2 to 16.4) and shot the higher percentage (52.6% to 46.4%) even though this was a 34-36 year old Wilt after having knee surgery using late 60s medical techniques going against a PRIME Lew Alcindor.

[@backthefuckupoffme9767]

I always keep forgetting that shaq used to be skinny. lol

[@chrismooney9275]

He's probably 300 pounds in this video

[@gershonhopster]

Well, not "skinny". lol.

[@TheRealist1.]

@@chrismooney9275 270... 20 lbs is a lot, especially for an elite athlete.

[@chrispy2014]

@@TheRealist1. His combine was 7'1'' tall, 303 lbs, 12'5''max reach. Crazy. 303 lbs and ripped, fast, and with a high bball IQ.

[@slamandjam2]

@@TheRealist1. no chance he only weighs 270 here. High 290-300 for sure

[@zenjiros]

It's a shame Shaq was too lazy to stay in the shape he was in during his first few years in the league because, in that form, he moved like few centers in the history of the league ever could! Just look at him taking it to the defense on fast breaks! Imagine what Shaq's stats could have been had he stayed in shape....

[@IndyCovaHart]

Damn, Shaq's been around a long time if we're seeing highlights against Robert Parrish. lol Gonna miss that fucker. Props to him for sticking around this long. Back in the days, I remember he talked about taking a VERY early retirement. I'm glad he didn't, because it would have severely tarnished his legacy. Big ups to Shaq from a NYKnick fan.

[@Lach1234]

Shaq is at a point in his career where he just wants to win a title and sacrifice anything to make it happen. He may not be able to be a 20-10 guy anymore, but the man can still punish anyone in the point on both ends. He now realizes it's not about scoring 20-30ppg, just about teamwork now. And there's no better place for teamwork than in Boston. :P

[@simonwilder1994]

So, since "most points" equals "most dominant", then "more points" equals "more dominant". I guess Stockton was more dominant than Magic. I guess Reggie was more dominant than Barkley. I guess Antawn Jamison is more dominant than Bernard King. Longevity =/= Dominant

[@spoonfixer]

alcindor wasnt the only one crashing boards big o boarded and so did dandridge. wilt was the only true board threat on the team so of course he corraled more. and which era are you talking about? early 60's is the outrageous numbers you poated. late 60's is the head to head stuff you are mentioning now.

[@kisamehoshigaki09]

Dude, Shaq was still playing in 2011. What I wrote wasn't impossible, as Shaq may have later been traded back to the Magic. Put it this way, after Shaq left the Lakers I stopped paying attention. I was asking because I didn't know if Shaq ever played for Orlando again.

[@RickyMoss]

looks like he had alot of fun his rookie year... this looked more like recess... like he's playing around with kids... to play with young Penny, Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Steve Nash and now with KG, Ray Allen and Pierce.. he's truly blessed and has had a fun career...

[@tonychoitellem]

@Rebound321 lol u dont understand. wen shaq first came into the league he was only 280-290 and thats really not that heavy for a legit 7'1 guy while blake is really only 6'8-6'9 at 250 with hardly any body fat. the blake now as a rookie is probably stronger then this rookie shaq

[@vf1rj]

People....this is the Shaq that won all those 3 championships for the Lakers. He is a little slower now. However, it doesn't mean he cannot dominate. If his coach (today or in the future) will just let him do his thing, he can still be about 80% as effective as he was back then.

[@sehoujay]

or 3 or 4 lol. He was the most dominant player ever in the NBA. Rules were changed and Basketball backboards/backstops were anchored because of him. He was probably the most dominant force in the NBA. Perhaps more than Michael Jordan as far as the change of NBA Rules.

[@simonwilder1994]

Of course (both of their) stats are padded. That's why I gave you some HEAD TO HEAD numbers. And an over the hill Chamberlain with a bum knee was still out rebounding a PRIME Lew Alcindor AND getting the 1st team defense nods over Lew Alcindor.

[@mikes4991]

@emceemc1121 you make a great point. he was doing this with great big men on the court. now the traditional big man is almost non-existent. it's kind of boring to see all these 7' European jump shooters. i want to see some more power dunking!

[@spoonfixer]

no hes safe. he had a pretty injury free career. kobe will not hit it. his return is questionable. lebron is still 17000+ away. durant is even further. the moment his record is broken...first round on me. deal?

[@PrimeTimeFalcons]

@Kaptast1c He pretty much did. He played forever and just got old. Shaq didnt leave much to imagine. Next to maybe Wilt, he was the most dominant big man in NBA history. Hard to be that without staying in shape

[@omglawton]

dwight is small compared to shaq and the other greats tho. (Kareem , Wilt , Shaq) I didnt realize how small he was till they were right next to each other side by side. Shaq is a monster same with wilt and kareem

[@marcus813]

The Magic should've made the playoffs that season. I figured Shaq would have a good impact on the Magic right away, but it was even bigger than I thought it'd be. I was a Magic fan pre-Shaq and I haven't turned back since.

[@res1yt7x]

It's so sad how most of the "taunts" after a posterization would get you a technical in the NBA these days. Which is just one of many reasons why '90s basketball>>>>>>today. Basketball was more fun and laid-back back then.

[@Kingblueman13]

That was for some of the younger guys who talk about Dwight being the best. Shaq dominated in his rookie year against the best centers of any era.(olajuwon,Ewing,Mourning,Robinson,etc) THE REAL SUPERMAN!!!!

[@ripitup123]

if that was shaq in his prime against dwight howard he'll own him easily

[@sokkersweep22]

Age isn't the issue it is playing years. Kobe isn't old really but his body has been banged up for the last several seasons. Players right out of HS don't normally go that deep into their 30s

[@simonwilder1994]

So now you're going to change your argument from "check the stats" to "more title mvps and championships". Mmmkay. That's an entirely different kind of "dominant" that you were originally arguing for.

[@ldp44]

playing against post prime duncan and an "on way out of the league" Yao Ming is NOTHING compared to playing against... Ewing, the admiral, the dream, alonzo and dikembe ALL in their PRIME..

[@chongb]

D howard is good, but to be realistic, will he ever get post moves like shaq? howard may be even more athletic than young shaq, but he doesn't have shaq's skills...especially on the offensive end.

[@simonwilder1994]

I don't think I ever mentioned the "impressiveness" of LeBron breaking the scoring record at a younger age, just that I think he has a great chance of breaking it, full stop.

[@omglawton]

yeah kareem needed magic to win the first ring he won also huh... not. Kareem showed that he was a champion first year. Respect the best center and the all time scoring leader.

[@toystory4ever95]

it's so hard for me to imagine shaq ever being this skinny even from back then. either he's been taking steroids or he spent 8,000 hours in the gym since his rookie season. lol.

[@Lorenshyne]

No one ever was like him and never will be. He was unstopable, skilled. Greatest enterntainer too, but i dont think he will be an nba coach. He should be, but i dont think he will be.

[@vonzuchter]

@K8879576 niaahhhh. howard is not yet as good as shaq was in his rookie season. since he reaches his peek in 2 or 3 years i dont think he can develop any longer. he will never be shaq

[@YpsitheFlintsider]

Maybe Kareem but Wilt had like 3 seasons, including that year of like 50 ppg, where he dominated. But most of his other years have been meh. Shaq for like 10 years posted 27/15

[@hotsung]

shit, he already has a legendary career but look how athletic he was. If he only kept himself in shape all these years... he could've achieved even more. He woulda been out of this world.

[@AAV27]

we need someone relentless like this again..just not afraid to just go up and cram it on ur face..blake griffin kinda but more like this thoe