How did Shaquille O'Neal's height and agility at his peak combine to make him the most dominant force in NBA history?
Shaquille O'Neal's height and strength made him one of the most unique talents the NBA has ever seen. An underrated aspect of his game, however, was his agility. Take a look at how Shaquille O'Neal's height, strength, and agility combined to create the most dominant force in NBA history.
What was Shaquille O'Neal's height?
During the prime of his career, Shaquille O'Neal's height was listed at 7'1 while he weighed in at well over 300 pounds. O'Neal's build, however, showed that his weight was largely comprised of muscle rather than fat. His unique combination of size and strength made him an unstoppable force in the paint.
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Over the first twelve seasons of his career, with the Orlando Magic and LA Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal averaged 27.1 points per game while shooting 57.7% from the field. Most of those shots, naturally, came in the paint. Additionally, the Hall of Famer added 12.1 rebounds per game and 2.6 blocks per game.
How did Shaquille O'Neal's height and agility impact his game?
Shaquille O'Neal's athletic abilities are unlikely to be replicated. The 15-time All-Star was able to dominate, thanks in large part to his size. There has never been a player with O'Neal's combination of height, strength, and size.
O'Neal was able to utilize his tools to develop himself into a dominant force unlike anything the league has ever seen. Despite his massive frame, O'Neal moved quite well for a big man during his prime years. While players of his size weren't allowed to play on the perimeter in the 1990s, O'Neal did have flashes where he would bring the ball up in transition, showing off his agility and quickness.
The biggest impact that his agility had on his game was with his footwork on both ends of the court. Despite being one of the largest players in NBA history, Shaq maintained tremendous footwork, particularly in his prime.
Check out Shaquille O'Neal showing off his agility below:
Is Shaquille O'Neal a top-five LA Laker?
The LA Lakers have had quite the list of names play for them throughout their history. Shaquille O'Neal spent eight seasons with the Lakers, earning All-NBA and All-Star honors in each season. Additionally, O'Neal made three All-Defensive Teams.
O'Neal would win three championships, three NBA Finals MVP awards, two All-Star Game MVP awards, and the 1999-2000 MVP award. Although his eight-year run with the Lakers was dominant, O'Neal's time with the team was cut short following the 2003-2004 season.
His, relatively, short tenure with the team, combined with his premature departure, leaves O'Neal on the edge of the Lakers top-five. While Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West are the most deserving choices for the Lakers' Mt. Rushmore, Shaq and Elgin Baylor are just behind them on that list.
Watch Shaquille O'Neal's best Lakers highlights below: