How does Shaquille O'Neal's weight compare to some of the greatest centers of all-time?
Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant force during his time in the NBA. The LA Lakers legend used his combination of size, strength, and athleticism to become of the greatest players of all-time. During his playing career, the 1999-2000 NBA MVP stood at 7'1, while weighing 325 pounds.
Fellow legendary Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one inch taller than Shaq, standing at 7'2, however, he was 100 pounds lighter than O'Neal, as he weighed 225 pounds. Wilt Chamberlain, another all-time great Lakers center, was 7'1, like O'Neal, however, he weighed 275 pounds, 50 less than Shaq.
Bill Russell, yet another all-time great who played the center position before the NBA became a wing-oriented game, stood at 6'10, weighing just 215 pounds. Russell was two inches shorter and 110 pounds lighter than O'Neal.
Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing were four legendary centers whose careers overlapped with O'Neal. Malone, like Russell, was two inches shorter and 110 pounds lighter than Shaq, as he was listed as 6'10 and 215 pounds.
Olajuwon stood 7'0, just one inch shorter than Shaq, however, he weighed 70 pounds less as he was 255 pounds. Robinson, a player O'Neal was never fond of, was the same height as the four-time NBA champion, 7'1, however, he was 90 pounds lighter, weighing 235 pounds. Like Olajuwon, Ewing was one inch shorter than O'Neal, 7'0, yet he weighed 85 pounds less, as he weighed 240 pounds.
Each of these centers had a Hall of Fame career, however, none weighed in within 50 pounds of O'Neal.
Watch Shaquille O'Neal's best Lakers highlights below:
Shaquille O'Neal recently shared his take on the greatest player of all-time
Fans have debated the topic of the greatest player in NBA history for several decades. In actuality, there is no wrong answer, as the discussion is opinionated in nature. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal recently weighed in on the topic during a recent appearance on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, stating:
"I think the greatest player is Michael Jordan. LeBron's about to do something that hasn't been done in a long time and I think he will move his name up there, but for me, it's always Dr. J, Michael Jordan, Magic, and those guys. Jordan was the greatest in my opinion."
O'Neal was able to witness Michael Jordan's greatness firsthand. In his second time sharing the court with the Chicago Bulls legend, MJ erupted for 64 points.
Watch Shaquille O'Neal's comments on the greatest of all-time below (starting at the 26:54 mark):