Shaquille O’Neal recently released his new book, entitled Shaq Uncut: My Story So Far, in which he details his career in the NBA and his retirement from the league. According to O’Neal, he thinks he has the fourth-best all-time center ranking among players with at least 5,000 career games. He names Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson as his top three, while Chris Webber ranks 10th, and Dirk Nowitzki 12th.
As a center, Shaquille O’Neal has been a formidable force throughout his 20-year career. His career stats are impressive, but his longevity is what sets him apart from other centers. Shaq has been an NBA All-Star for 17 consecutive seasons, a seven-time All-Star MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, a four-time regular season MVP, a two-time regular season champion, a three-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-NBA First Team member, a two-time Most Valuable Player, a five-time All-NBA Second Team member, a two-time All-NBA Third Team member, a two-time All-
Of course, there are plenty of basketball enthusiasts who argue that one should rank Shaquille O’Neal above Hakeem Olajuwon, the man considered by many to be the greatest all-time center. For one, O’Neal was a transcendent player, while Hakeem was only a one-dimensional superstar. More importantly, O’Neal is widely considered to be the best post player of all time while Hakeem is seen as the best big man. But Shaq doesn’t think he should be ranked behind his former Lakers teammate.
When an all-time list comes out and he isn’t as high as he believes he should be, Shaquille O’Neal is known to become irritated. Charles Barkley, his co-star on Inside the NBA, released a list that made O’Neal unhappy. He’s frustrated that his injuries have prevented him from reaching a higher echelon in the NBA’s hall of fame. Shaq’s ego was even utilized as a weapon by the TNT team in an incredible prank.
As a result, it came as a shock to him when a graphic on social media recently ranked him as the fourth-best center of all time. The most surprising aspect of the rating was O’Neal’s response to it. Given his background, he was completely unconcerned with the situation.
During his Hall of Fame speech, Shaquille O’Neal expressed regret.
With the exception of Michael Jordan, most athletes attempt to acknowledge those who helped them get there during their Hall of Fame acceptance speeches. They discuss how humbling the experience was, how important it was, and how much hard work and sacrifice it took to get there.
Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, is not one of them. No, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, when O’Neal was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, he went for a complete airing of his complaints.
“The one thing about my career that bothers me is missing 250 games while averaging 25 points a game; there’s another 5,000 points. I wanted to boast arrogantly that I was the most dominating big man ever to play the game, and I didn’t want to hear anybody else’s name after overtaking Wilt Chamberlain in stats. However, it was cut short.”
O’Neal is correct. Injuries took a toll on his career. He’d be flirting with 34,000 points for his career if he added another 5,000 points. He’s currently seventh all-time, but that number would catapult him into the top echelon of the elite. O’Neal finishes with 33,596 points after adding an even five grand. Only 47 points separate Kobe Bryant in fourth place.
But it’s important to remember that O’Neal wasn’t always Mr. Dedication when it came to staying in shape. His weight was erratic. Much as good as he was, there was always the possibility that he might have been even greater.
O’Neal is content with his current ranking of No. 4 all-time.
Shaquille O’Neal may be confused by all-time lists at times. | Getty Images/G Fiume
Shaquille O’Neal just posted a picture on Instagram ranking the best ten centers of all time. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chamberlain, and Bill Russell were the top three players (and let the debate regarding the order commence).
Hakeem Olajuwon finished fourth, ahead of O’Neal. Moses Malone, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, George Mikan, and Bill Walton rounded out the top ten. Please note that this is not an endorsement of the list or any of the items on it; it is just a recitation of what was on it.
Shaq, who is renowned for his bravado, seemed unfazed by the situation.
“Thank you, I agree.”
Shaquille O’Neal is a basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Was it a mellow day for him? What happened to the flames? Where is the rightful outrage? Is there a pod nearby, and what happened to Shaq?
Shaquille O’Neal’s amazing pranking
One of the funniest April Fools’ Day pranks ever.
Shaq was informed he was tenth on the all-time centers list, and he nearly “tore the set up”
pic.twitter.com/spQ1x6gayx (via @NBAonTNT)
April 1, 2019 — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport)
The Inside the NBA team pulled off one of the best April Fool’s Day pranks in recent memory on April 1, 2015.
The prank occurred the same week that TNT’s parent business, Bleacher Report, published their best center rankings in NBA history.
With a doctored set of rankings, TNT had the ammo it needed to drive Shaquille O’Neal into a furious fury.
The list went on and on. There will be no O’Neal. Not even close to the top five. Not even close to the top seven. He wasn’t even No. 8 at the time. When The Diesel debuted at No. 9, it was accompanied with an unflattering picture of Shaq and a seal with frighteningly identical facial expressions.
With each name disclosed, his emotions intensified. It was a fantastic “gotcha” moment. It’s probably for the best that they got it to eighth. No. 4 appeared to satisfy him quite a bit.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
RELATED: Kobe Bryant Paid Shaquille O’Neal a Backhanded Compliment While Criticizing His Work Ethic: ‘He’d Be the Greatest of All-Time’
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