NBA All-Time Rank No. 11: Shaquille O’Neal

Ranking the top 50 players in NBA history…

11. Shaquille O’Neal

During Shaq’s prime (late 90s to early 2000s), he was the most dominant player … perhaps ever.

Beyond his monstrous size, O’Neal had a larger-than-life personality that transcended basketball. Along with Wilt Chamberlain (and perhaps Victor Wembanyama — we’ll see), Shaq is in a different category than the rest of NBA history when it comes to once-in-a-generation athletic anomalies.

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992 out of LSU, O’Neal played 19 NBA seasons across six teams: Magic (1992-1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-2008), Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010), and Boston Celtics (2010-2011), although his post-Heat stints were well past his prime.

Shaq averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in his career. A 15-time All-Star, he won four championships, including an epic three-peat with the Lakers (2000-2002, Finals MVP each) alongside Kobe Bryant, and one with Miami in 2006.

He earned NBA MVP in 2000, Rookie of the Year in 1993, and three All-Defensive honors.

Leading the league in scoring twice and field goal percentage 10 times, Shaq’s power dunks literally shattered backboards and sometimes even brought down the entire basket.

Known for his humor, O’Neal was the ultimate entertainer, and at the end of the day, his charisma was a step above his brute force. Despite free-throw struggles (52.7 percent career), his dominance forced rule changes like zone defense.

His legacy as the most physically imposing player ever endures into 2025 and beyond.

But who ranks ahead of Shaq at No. 10 all-time?