Since entering the league in 1993, Shaquille O’Neal dominated as one of the era’s premier players. With his imposing physique and sharp basketball IQ, he secured 15 All-Star selections. In the 1999-2000 season, he captured the MVP award with the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal excelled offensively and defensively, securing three All-Defensive Team honors. Yet, he candidly revealed one of the most challenging defensive periods he faced in his NBA career.
“To answer, the 2000s, when they created the ‘Shaq Rules,’ when you can do the front and back, it got difficult for a while. As a guard, they just teach you to do this in high school, throw it in the post…But with a guy in front of you, I really couldn’t get the ball a lot. That’s why I was trying to be a runner and be the first guy out. But when I first came in, it was tough. It was the end of that ‘Bad Boy’ era,” affirmed Shaq O’Neal in The Big Podcast.
Additionally, Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged that Tim Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon were two players he could never break. However, he could still dominated the league during that era. From 1999–2000 to 2002–03, he remained firmly among the NBA’s top five players. Also, he averaged more than 27 points per game throughout that stretch and led the Lakers to three straight championships.
The era of physical, hard-nosed defense in basketball is now history. In the modern game, defending poses complex challenges for players. Defenders must prioritize technique over pure physicality. Consequently, some dominant names from the past might struggle today. For that reason, players like Draymond Green are dominating in defense showcasing his ability to adapt to this modern era with skill and strategy.
1 Nov 1996: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O”Neal lands after sinking the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game, 96-82.
Shaq’s ability to thrive despite intense double teams and evolving defensive tactics only strengthens his case as one of the most unstoppable forces in NBA history. The ‘Shaq Rules’ became a symbol of how teams had to fundamentally shift their defensive approach just to slow him down, which speaks volumes about his impact on the game. Even Mike D’Antoni explained that he was the responsible for the three-point evolution as they could not beat him in the box.
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Shaquille O’Neal names three current NBA stars he believes are future Hall of Famers
During his illustrious NBA career spanning 1207 games, Shaquille O’Neal consistently dominated opponents. He boasted an offensive prowess by averaging 23.7 points per game. Beyond scoring, he pulled down an impressive 10.9 rebounds and dished out 2.5 assists each night. Moreover, O’Neal showcased remarkable efficiency with a 58.2% field goal percentage, solidifying his legacy as a basketball legend.
