The Most Underappreciated Player in NBA History
Shaquille O’Neal (photo. Chenoa Maxwell)Yeah, it’s Shaq.
How do you get the word “unappreciated” out of somebody who’s made over $250 million in NBA salary, tens of millions more in endorsements, who still has national ad campaigns on TV (I think I saw an Icy-Hot commercial the other day), who has his own signature sneaker, and who is one of the players reporters will gladly run to for an interview in a crowded locker room full of All-Stars?
Because for 16 years, from both fans and media, Shaq has never truly gotten the credit he deserves for what he’s accomplished on the court and what he’s meant to the game. There was at least a good 6-7 year stretch (arguably much longer) where Shaq was the most problematic force in basketball. Like Lawrence Taylor did in the NFL, Shaq in his prime altered game plans and made teams create new strategies (i.e. Hack-a-Shaq, or the trend of stockpiling not-so-talented bigs just to have fouls available) to deal with him. And inexplicably, he only has one League MVP trophy to show for it. Really? You’re telling me that there was only ONE season in which Shaq was the most valuable, dominant, important player in the game of basketball? This is somebody who changed the game, who changed the rulebook. When he wasn’t winning championships, the road to the title still had to go through him.
And aside from mild controversy caused when Diesel was named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest list in the middle of his fifth season, there’s always been this overall reluctance to give him his full props. He’s never gotten credit for being the quality basketball player that he is. And the Shaq-haters are loving this current phase of his career, where the big man is good for a single-digit scoring night at least once a week and is basically a role player. For the out-right haters and everyone else who isn’t a die-hard Diesel fan, it’s always more about what Shaq isn’t doing than what he is doing. He isn’t a good player, he’s just big. He isn’t reliable from the free throw line. He isn’t in shape. He isn’t able to score outside five feet. He isn’t as good as Kobe. He isn’t Wilt.
Tonight, as Shaq stands 12 points away from cracking the NBA’s Top-10 all-time scoring list going into Phoenix’s 10:30 p.m. EST tip-off with the Rockets, take a minute out to appreciate what has been one of the greatest athletic careers the Dime generation has seen unfold in our time. Take a minute to realize that Shaquille O’Neal is better than just big.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
***Big Mike***H'Town's Finest says:
Well said Austin.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
BMW says:
Even in MIA, the road to the chip went through him. People seems to forget that. Anyway he’s in my top 10 of best of all times…
November 12th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
dat dood says:
well written. Shaq is an absolute beast.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Drink the Haterade (Kobe Rocks) says:
I will admit I’m a Shaq hater, but only cause he could have been arguably the greatest ever, had in been shape
November 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Dime Magazine says:
Austin I couldn’t agree more. In fact, that’s exactly what I was thinking in our Most Valuable MVP debate. At 30, 13.6, and 3 bpg, he not only destroyed teams physically, but he battered them mentally too.
http://dimemag.com/2008/11/the-most-valuable-mvp/
- AK
November 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
SayItIsntSo says:
This article is on point. One thing that I will say is that when Shaq left MIA, D-Wade thanked him for helping him. I thought that was cool…because not one of Shaqs other ’sidekicks’ had ever done that. They never took the time out just to say ‘thankyou’. Just a bunch of whining and b*tching.
And as far as some sports fans go…people are bandwaggoners and forget real easily. Its disgusting. I said the same thing about the Celtics, everyone was saying that KG was through and wasn’t a ’superstar’..then when he went to the Celtics and won the chip, now he back on top everyones list. Give me a break. Once people reach that ’superstar’ status, they are there and thats one thing you cant take away from them (although people desperatly try), you cant take away what some of these players have meant to the game. Once Shaq is gone, there will never be another him and the game will be missing something. I say that some of these players need to just keep dusting their shoulders off..they know what they are capable of, no one else does.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
A-Slam says:
Kobe will never be better than Shaq, in those days when they won those three chips, it was Shaq doin’ the damage not Kobe. Three finals mvp awards dont lie
November 12th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Drink the Haterade (Kobe Rocks) says:
@ A Slam, I agree that Kobe wouldn’t have the rings without Shaq, because of Shaq’s dominance Kobe got some great looks, but remember it also took Kobe. Just like in MIA it also took Wade.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
K.i.n.G. says:
great article, shaquille o’neal will be missed when he retires, a true ambassodor of the NBA
November 12th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
weng santos says:
A-Slam is on point.
Replace Kobe with T-Mac on the recent LA champion teams and they would still be the champion teams.
But replace Shaq with anybody else? No dice, no rings. To quote, “three finals mvp don’t lie.”
November 12th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
weng santos says:
He made “playing big” cool.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
A.R. says:
As much as I hate the fat slob that is Shaquille O’Neal I have to agree somewhat. I also have to agree that Shaq should have won more than 1 MVP award. However perhaps we are forgetting the “injuries” Shaq has had throughout his career. And I’m inclined to believe Shaq quit on his teams in his career. He burned Orlando and sat out more games than he needed to during his time in L.A. And don’t even mention last years Miami Heat debacle when he was M.I.A. until he was traded. Overall though I have to admit Shaq was an unstoppable force for some time and had he not been such a jackass he could be challenging the scoring record and possibly have more rings than he has. He kinda has that Derrick Coleman status to me. Could of had it all but instead settled for just enough.
But I will say when Shaq leaves the game he will be missed. And his personality will be hard to replace.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
shaq haters are wannabes who cant even ball. they hating on the guy because he lived up to his potential for “only” six or seven years, but come on. did you see how he manhandled the sixers, nets and pacers in the finals? and how bruised the other bigs were at the time after facing him? damn man.
and it’s not like he was backing people down. back then he had hops, spins and could run the floor.
off the court, he’s a better spokesperson than anyone we have out there today, funny as hell too.
“yo NBA, tell me how my ass tastes!”
November 12th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Drink the Haterade (Kobe Rocks) says:
everyone always talks about replace Kobe with so and so and they would still have rings, really? T-Mac can’t even hold Kobe’s nuts. When was the last time T-Mac could made the all defensive first team. And to quote John Salley ” the biggest difference between MJ and Kobe is that Kobe has to make his game go around a big guy like Shaq, MJ never had to do that, he could say to his bigs, get out of the way I;m going to the hoop, Kobe couldn’t say that to Shaq.
Also, Shaq had Penny (who had he stayed healthier would’ve been a T-Mac type player) and lost in the finals.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
bballinca says:
As great as Shaq was/is he never really worked on his game or himself. That’s my knock on him.
I can’t wait for Kobe to win a chip. This way you guys can stop swinging off Shaq’s nuts and Kobe can say taste my chocolate salty balls.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
SayItIsntSo says:
Shut up talking about Kobe already…this is about Shaq! Damn, people cant say one good thing about Shaq and what he has done for other players without Kobes nut-huggin fans coming in to try to block the TRUTH. Shaq is a BEAST, period. Without him, no Laker Dynasty a few years ago and no Miami Championship…take it how you wanna.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:06 am
ThisGuy says:
Dont forget how important he was to the league at the beginning of the post MJ era. When the league lost its greatest star, Shaq helped by keeping one true household name in the game. Not to mention how he brought in a dynasty in the League’s biggest market. Hell even went to finals while MJ was playing baseball. The league suffered for a long time after MJ retired, Shaq helped at least to keep some focus on the sport.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Mark says:
I’ve never liked Shaq, but like many have said this post is right on point. Respect.
My old roommate was dumbfounded when I said I couldn’t care less about Shaq retiring. He mentioned the impact he made outside the game (essentially being the most accessible NBA player) and I thought that Shaq may be the most underappreciated player indeed. While he’s credited with quite possibly the top 200 most asinine quotes in sports history, he demanded attention and made the game beyond the hardwood. Fun, even. Like Gilbert Arenas noted (courtesy Dime), people want fun, not serious. Shaq brought a lightheartedness to this game that will be copied but never been replicated.
I still think he’s much akin to a retarded dinosaur, but we still love ‘em. It’ll be weird without Shaq; finish your contract and honorably bow out, Diesel (unlike MJ).
November 13th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Tha Boddy says:
Shaq shaped the careers of Penny,Kobe and D-Wade…without him none of them woulda got to the lvl they were are at.Penny woulda prolly turned out the best aside from all the time he spent injured…Then comes Kobe who woulda never been anything more than at 20ppg scorer in his prime cause and D-Wade woulda never got the respect and quick foul calls for him that he has now…All 3 of them should just send Shaq half of their career earnings and ask for a recipe for how his ass tastes
November 13th, 2008 at 1:33 am
QuEsT??? says:
well written. excellent post
November 13th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Nora says:
I just don’t see Shaq as being ‘underappreciated’ every team he goes on is pronounced a favorite? Why? Because of him.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:45 am
yoda says:
i always loved shaq and ive been always pissed of by those who says hes big and he only dunks. well, there used to be tons of big, heavy guys in nba, but no one was as fast as him. i still remember his super fast spins under basket and ferocious dunks. and about thing that he only dunks, its not his fault that no one could stop him. there was no reason for him to shoot fadaways from few feets aways from basket, when he can dunk. plus, his quotes are one of best that any nba player said ever. ive been watching nba about as long as shaq is in nba, and when he retires there will be something missing in basketball for me.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Dank says:
ive been saying this for YEARS
shaq was the MVP of the 05 season for changing the East picture after going to the heat
Kobe was the MVP of the 06 season for singlehandly giving it to everyone and anyone that came his way. he dominated without question
and Lebron was the MVP of the 07 season for, well, look at what he did with his team
Nash and Nowitzki both choked. and they keep choking. Nash isnt even a factor anymore, and i truly MISS HATING ON STEVE NASH
but nowitzki is fun, he proves that no one, ever, could be such a waste of talent, and maybe even a starting roster spot in the NBA. he doesnt do ANYTHING defensively, and his “clutchness” is truly questionable. Yes, he took the Mavs to the finals, but it was because of a mistake by Ginobili (another one on my hate list)
bottom line, Lebron, Kobe, and Shaq, all 3 guys that have had major impacts in the league. theyve been to the finals in 06, 07, and 08. what else needs to be said? they deserved the MVPs
November 13th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Drohan says:
Shaq was throwing people around last night!!! hahh..
http://hoopsoup.com/2008/11/13/rockets-vs-suns-brawl-is-pure-entertainment/
November 13th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Kudabeen says:
This is typical of Big men, the better the more maligned. The Greatest Big Man of All Time. Wilt Chamberlain is not even acknowledge at times for being as talented as he was, because he didn’t beat the Celtics, He was too tall, etc…He lead the league in assist one year…That is crazy. He averaged over 48 minutes a game, 50ppg, 25rpg…I think he would have been the career leader with Russel right their in blocks all time, but era and height are discriminated against.
Shaq is a lot better looking back than I allowed myself to feel as he was playing. I still think Kobe bought the Lakers back and closed the show and deserves just as much credit for those Chips as Shaq, but Shaq was the ultimate mis-match and steadying force down low. His Orlando Years and Playoff numers were just ridiculous at some points…
November 13th, 2008 at 7:36 am
JAB says:
i’m a big time lakers fan, back then nick, eddie, cedric etc.
formed an amazing group, i enjoyed watching their games, then the big wtf came to town, i really hated this move although i knew it would make the lakeshow so much better, but i just hated this big mans game, anyway after a while i was forced to appreciate his game his impact and the way he got better, shaq came to the league and was already dominant, but he never relied only on his force, he’s one of the best passers in the history of bigs, in his best days nobody had a faster spin move, what i wanna say is okay he’s a force of nature but that plays only a part in the story why his career turned out like this, i mean what would lebron be without his freakish body, where would the answer be without his legs, maybe you don’t like shaq, but have to respect his legacy, and one mvp is definetely not enough
November 13th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Phileus says:
Most superstars get foul calls, but Shaq was the opposite. He didn’t get calls because that would have just been too unfair. Shaq in his prime was as far above other NBA athletes as they are above normal people.
He wasn’t just big and strong (like he is now), but was also impossibly fast and nimble for his size.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:28 am
K Dizzle says:
About time, Austin. Great article
November 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am
QQ says:
I never enjoyed his antics.
I hate him.
He’s a fucking clown (in a BAD way).
But he is one of the reasons I got into the NBA, and basketball in general. Never will be one of my faves, but definitely one of the best. EVER.
PS: Fuck off and retire, old man. =)
November 13th, 2008 at 8:35 am
M Intellect says:
Shaq = Jay-Z
Everyone knows they are great but they always have a snide round about way of re-empahasising it everytime they speak.
They also both have questionable morals and lash out at cats who are no longer useful in their life. And then they make up with them.
AND
Wilt is to Shaq what Biggie is to Jay-Z.
Great MC’s but 2 Big bitches.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:52 am
skywarp says:
DINK
penny was not a tmac type player penny back then was just new to the game but with oozing potential so its not fair to compare them… no one is saying tmac is better than kobe get off kobe’s nuts and read what the guy was saying replace kobe and the lakers would have still won… and ur man kobe is not a leader not like shaq.. shaq makes people around him better!! kobe only makes himself better… look how bad caron was playing alongside kobe..
November 13th, 2008 at 9:34 am
fallinup says:
Shaq was an absolute Beast when he came to the league. His impact on the came was instant, and everyone had to take notice. He carried the NBA on his back when MJ had left the Bulls. And he will be remembered as one of the top 5 centers ever. And will forever be on the shortlist of most dominant ever.
They changed the rules because of Shaq…that’s a sign of greatness.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Mamba says:
There is no question that Shaq’s legend is sealed forever in NBA history,
My issue with Shaq is that lately he has really become a cartoon version of himself – now that his skills have diminished he is relying even more on his ability to self promote – he has become a play when I want to dude and that is always annoying, if you have the chops to pull that game off than fine – Shaq lost that long ago,
More than anything, Shaq’s lack of attention to conditioning and overall laziness is causing a new generation of hoops fans to not really grasp how amazing and powerful the Dies once was,
All and all: Shaq is THE most dominating force in League history, its just a shame that is getting lost in the mix
November 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
MSkittle says:
He always had a glaring weakness though.. Foul shooting
November 14th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Amar says:
even superman had kryptonite.
November 14th, 2008 at 7:19 am
JohnnyBono says:
I didn’t appreciate Shaq in his early years (when he was actually very fit). This was mostly because of the his teams, as I have never been an Orlando or a Lakers fan. When Shaq moved to Miami, I immediately began routing for him and have been doing that ever since. Even today, he can show us a glimpse of the younger, healthier Shaq. I also agree with Amar, so what if he has one weakness, Wilt had it and Dwight Howard (Shaq of today’s generation) surely has it too. I’d say Shaq is a top-5 all-time player.