RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Possibly the best center of all time although with centers like Wilt, Russell, Kareem, and Olajuwon this is debatable. Of course he's getting old now, but he can still be pretty dominant, only now its more in spurts instead of whole games.

UPDATE: Let's wait and see what a summer off and that almost magical Phoenix medical staff (look what they've done for Nash's chronically bad back and Hill's fragile ankles) can do for him. Maybe "The Big Cactus" has something left, but I get the feeling that after next season starts that I'll be dropping one of the top big men of all time to a 3 star rating. Remember everyone, this isn't a list of the greatest of all time, it's about current players. And as a current player, Shaq is sliding, and sliding fast.

This is common sense. How could you vote him less than a 5. You should all be ashamed of yourselves if you didn't vote him a five. There aren't five other players in the league that changes a game more than Shaq. I can't wait to see what he does in Pheonix.

He's gettin' old...

I don't like the man, but he's stepped it up once again. He earned himself another ring, proving he's still the most dominant player in basketball. He's getting older and he's not the player he used to be, but he's still got a lot of fuel left in him to terrorize opposing teams.

Ithink Shaq used to be one of the best but now Ithink he isn't as good because he is getting older. I stillthink Miami needs him on thier team

Far be it from me to say he isn't a great player: he is, aside from his troubles with free throws. He has great presence inside, and all that. However from another viewpoint, he,like most big stars, gets away with murder from the refs, and he has a rather unlikeable personality, and strikes me as a self- aggrandizing, coarse, crude, dumbass. Looks like an ogre or giant who's threatening a village, should play armed with a spiked club and wear filthy, worn, animal skins so ratty you can't even tell what animal he 's wearing, kinda reminds me of the dummy giant Bigmouth from The Smurfs. Anyone remember the time he played a genie in a boombox or his hideous rap songs? (Shiver) And I think from an aesthetic viewpoint, he's like a rampaging elephant, who, more than any other player, has helped to ruin the artistry and intricacy of the game with his water buffalo tactics.

Fat, slow, lazy, and he can't make a free throw to save his own life. Always states that he makes them when it "counts." He Shaq, they all count! This guy has a shooting range of about two feet, and that's only when the two feet are directly above the rim and all he has to do is bring the ball straight down. Quoting the great John Wodden, "He's a dunker."

5 star talent, but a 3 star for the bull crap he still carries. All of this " I don't know no one by that name ( referring to Kobe Bryant)", " Who you talkin' about", and the little hissy fit handshakes to Bryant should stop right now. Shaq got what he wanted; out of L.A. Come on Shaq. Have some respect and cut out all of this not-saying Kobe name. I don't Kobe was innocent in the lawsuit he was involved in, but I still believe NBA players can show respect for one another. At least to the public Kobe has shown Shaq respect. Shaq can do the same.

OVERRATED. If I was 360 pounds and 7'1 I'd dominate the NBA too. Shaq doesn't actually have basketball talent he's just huge.

MDE.I have a newspaper clipping at home that shows shaq dunking on five New Jersey Nets.He gets swarmed every time he touches the ball.I dont remember a center that has commanded as much attention from opposing defenders as he.It doesnt matter to me whether he can hit a jump shot or not.Can u score?Can u intimidate?Can u make the other team adjust their entire defensive plan because of one person?Can you make those guards and fowards scared to visit you in the paint?To me thats more important than if he can hit a 15ft jumper.He's not supposed to be out that far anyway.Ive also never seen one person change the balance of power everytime he arrives at a new team.Some people who never played at that level (including myself)are critical of his play but you really gotta ask yourself why does everyone else who does play on his level want to play with him?

A great player and a weird b@stard!... Still the most dominate force on the inside, though his impact in important games seems to have diminished....Those important games that involve the Pistons, that is.

the most dominant player

he's got the size and there's nothing wrong with using it. You need to work with what you have. But because i think his physical stature not skill is such a big part of his sucess I can't call him an amazing player.

Great basketball player. Size is an advantage, skill is helpful, and desire got him where he is now. His is in a league of his own. He can rock a court!!!

Best player of his generation (post Jordan) Maligned because of size and the fact he uses it. Would you rather have him shoot fall away jumpers like Ewing?

A man among boys.

Of course the most physicaly dominate player ever since Wilt Chamberlain

Probably the best in the game today. He can do it all except hit a freebie or a three-pointer. When he's on, he's on. He's got a nice spin move and a sweet stroke, so he's not all dunk, dunk, dunk!

The greatest, most dominant player of all time. He can make any average player into a all star or supersar as seen in Kobe Bryant and Dwane Wade.

No argument that he's one of the best players of all-time. I don't care about lack of skills or free throws, just look at his stats and 3 championships and how much and how quickly he improved every team he's been on, Magic, Lakers, and Heat.

Before he can figure out if whether its caramel or carmel....he should fix his eyes and his voice that sounds like cher...

One of the best players I've ever seen in the NBA. He's always a guy on the team to count on. He's scored in the 40's about 50 times in his career. He makes amazing slam dunks, has made over like a thousand in his career. The only thing that would make him the best player of all time would be if he worked on his free throws and 3 pointers.

Shaq is a good player but...free throws are key...sometimes even decide the game...if he works on those hes got a good chance to be around longer. still one of the greats

i have to give shaq a 5. he likes malone and i do to. most everyone that knows anything about basketball or even catches a minutes here and there, talks smack about #32. i mean both of them. give these guys there do credit and move on.

i have to give him his due though he is not my type of guy.

shaq has no skill at all. he cant even shoot 5 feet away from the hoop. the only reason he is any good because he is so fat. he is allways in the key for more than 3 sconds.he fouls all the time and never gets called for it...people give hime to much credit.

Excellent in the post but man work on your free throws

Shaq is a an excellent player. he doesn't miss layups most of the time and he can dunk on an asleep defender easily.

Give Shaq the damn ball!! Not just some of the time, not just most of the time - give him the damn ball EVERY SINGLE POSSESSION. I'm talking to you Gary, and you Devean, and yes you too Kobe... and especially you Phil Jackson. Any possession in which this man does not touch the ball is a flat out failure. He is the ONLY one with a match-up advantage against the Pistons, and he is the only way this series will go back to LA. If they single cover him, he will most likely score, and probably get fouled. If they double, Shaq will most likely score anyway, and if not, will make the right decision. Give this man the freaking ball. It's not complicated.

I was too young to see Wilt Chamberlain as a 40 PPG scorer (I saw him in his role as a Laker where he was more of a playmaker). But I can imagine his game must have been something like Shaq Diesel when he is on. He is just too big and strong for anyone to contain. Three rings for the Lakers; also got the woebegone Magic to the NBA Finals when he was a little Diesel. Shaq is a true mason (bricklayer) at the charity stribe; but so was Chamberlain (who barely shot over 50%).

Shaq's been named one of the best players in the history of the game by many, many basketball critics in many magazines. That should say enough. 3 rings in a row should speak for itself also. He's the most dominant player ever. No one can single handly gaurd him. The best post player in the game right now and has great ball handling skills. His free throw shooting is pretty bad, but every player has a weakness, so oh well. But he's about to get his 4th ring in about a month, so, there ya go.

No shooting touch. Just a brute.

He has unbelievable power. The only thing that is keeping him from being a record book center is his free throw shooting. He didn't used to shoot that bad but this season has been horrible for him. He kind of a jerk to. If he doesn't get what he wants then he uses his power to persuade people. That's just wrong.

Louisiana has bred another beast. I would agree with others that if I was 7'1'' 340 I would be in his shoes but I am not. Give him his props he is the Lakers and he is ugly not too smart

He's BIG...but NOT a team player and whines too much about calls. He gets away with more offensive fouls than ANYONE else in the NBA. I'm tired of hearing about how difficult he is to officiate...he doesn't get different rules because he's huge - BLOW the whistle...if he shoves someone out of his way on his way to the hoop ... that's a foul - CALL IT! I LOVE to watch Yao take him to school!!!

The best player of our generation.

Shaq no doubt has alot of little men helping his 340 pound ego out. LOL. you think the all time dual was John Stockton giving a good entry pass into Karl Malone. How about the way Dick Bavetta assists the 340 pound big assed ball hogging homo. The Kings could probly beat Shaq and the Lakers if the NBA was still ran by honest commisionars like the NFL, and MLB. But we all no the truth, David Stern has a script already written out every year to help the L.A. Ladies get on top.LOL, atleast other all time dominating teams like the G.B. Packers, N.Y. Yankees, and Boston Celtics really win their Tittles. Ha! The L.A. Ladies, their all a bunch of little sacks of, well, hum, I can't even think of a hateful enough name to put on them, because I wouldn't want to insult any dirty name by using it in place and referance, of the little HIV infested L.A. Ladies.

Dare I say, the most dominating player in the the game? You bet he is.

Shaq is dangerous folks. He's the biggest guy in the NBA, strength wise. And he behaves off the court, unlike Kobe. The free throw shooting used to be really bad, but now it's not too bad.

THE BEST PLAYER IN BASKETBALL. USES HIS SIZE RIGHT. BEST CENTER FOR GETTING UP AND DOWN THE COURT

Simply the best center of the last 30 years !! I think even his haters wouldn't refuse him in their teams... Come on !

I don't like NBA basketball, but I love Shaq. He seems like a very genuine guy and I think he'd be great to hang around with. He seems like the sort that you could sit around having a few beers with watching the game, and have a fun conversation with.

I can't believe where Shaq is on this list! His rating shows how little credibility this list has! I am not a Laker fan by far. Neither am I a big fan of Shaq, but my opinions are honest. Bottom line: SHAQ IS THE MOST DOMINANT PLAYER IN THE NBA! PERIOD! There is no bigger threat in the low-post from five feet in than Shaq. Whether you like him or not, he is the horse that the Lakers have ridden to three championships. Sure, Kobe is more than nice to have around, but the NBA is still a leage dominated by low-post play, and Shaq is the man. Without a doubt, he is currently the 2nd best player in the league.

Hey I really hate the fat loser who calls himself a "good" player. HAHAHA if he was good I would be awesome! O by the way, Congratulations to Ashleigh who just recently had her 14th baby with the "Shaq Daddy" as she calls him...(pretty disgusting stuff you ash me). Well that's all I have to say.

I HATE YOU SHAQ.. OR SQUAK, RATHER! HE IS NOT A GENTLEMAN!! UGHH!!!! HE IS SO STUPID!!!!! HI NACHO AND CARSON!! WHATS UP!!!! OHH AND FOR ALL OF YOU THAT SAY HE "GOT GAME".. TELL ME THIS, WHO WAS MVP?? WHOOOOO?? OHH YEAH!! MY MAN TIMMY D!!!!! SO BACK OFF, GO SPURS!!! (KAZAAM SUCKS!)

Shaq is a fat ass who thinks he can play basketball. He travels more than a chicken with his head cut off, and fouls like a mother. Only thing that he does worse than play basketball is act in movies. people, whatever u do, DO NOT SEE THE MOVIE KAZAAM. good god, that movie was HORRIBLE. his acting scarred me for life.

he good at basketball dont be diisin da shaq

Oh my god, just get out of the way! There's never been a guy like this in the league EVER!

If I was 7'1" and 340 lbs, I'd be good too. He doesn't really have any talent. He looks stupid as hell too.

Their is no one person who can guard him. He will get his shot off with even 4 players on him. Something Kobe and McGrady cant do. He is able to take it to the basket and score with five players around him and go to the free throw line if the ref calls the foul. Trust me Kobe and Mcgrady wont be able to do. Shaq should be shootig free throws everytime the Lakers are on offense. He being fouled on every play before the ball goes into him and when hes shooting. Everytime they foul him it should be a flagrent 2. You can compare players around the league like MJ,Kobe, McGrady, AI, Vince, Webber, KG, Jermaine Oneal, Tim Duncan. But no one can be compare to Shaq not even the great centers who have played. This is history you are watching, the opposite team knows the game plan. That it is going into Shaq and you now it and you can send your whole team. But he will still score and get fouled. Why is he so UNDER RATED. He should be MVP every year. Or at least name him WORLD MVP.

Biggest jackass in all of sports! But the man is the most dominating force in the NBA's current era. When he wills it, there's really nothing anyone can do to stop him.

99% of NBA players have as much class in their big toe as Shaq has in his (very large) entirety. Raw force and talent is impressive but what about sportsmanship and setting a good example for the youth who look up to NBA players? A disgrace to the game.

only 32nd out of 74! thats a joke improved on free throws Grad from LSU, actor, rapper. He is the major dawg! Big ups to him for all his efforts!

I hate him. He gets away with obivious fouls. The worst free throw shooter ever! Bad attitude.

Hey idiots! It's a disgrace that Shaq is rated so low here. He is by far the league's best player.

I am not a Shaq fan. To watch his game is boring. He is a 7'1 350lb freak of nature that can run and dribble.

The only reason Shaq is so highly regarded is because of his size. He is dominant, I'll give him that. Beyond the size and the things that go with it, he's mediocre. He gets most of his points by either lowering his shoulder just enough to get the defender off balance or by hooking the defender with his elbow, both of which should be an offensive foul. If Todd MacCullough did that, he'd be called every time. The rest of Shaq's game is average at best. Decent shooting from short range, thinks he can handle like a point guard, cannot shoot free throws. How many times have you seen him sit at the end of games while Kobe tries to win the game? He can rebound only because nobody can get around or over him. Bad mouths his team when things are down. Need I go on?

owwww my toe hurts

Too full of himself

Just another overpaid overrated athlete.

He's so huge that he just stands near the basket and drops the ball in. If anyone tries to guard him, they're called for a foul. Give him a free throw and he can't hit the side of a barn. However, I rate him "OK" because he acts like a genteman, unlike so many superstars.

One of the most physically gifted players to ever play the game of basketball, he's corrected what was originally a deficiency in his game( free throw shooting ). He also has a great attitude for a sports figure, especially for a star basketball player. As Charles Barkley said, the basketball universe rides on the health of Shaq's big toe.

The only flaw that Shaq used to have was that he couldn't shoot free throws if his life depended on it. That factor has changed since he joined the Laker's roster. He( along with Kobe and Phil) is the reason why the Lakers have won 3 straight NBA titles. He will most likely go down as the greatest center of all time. He is physically nuilt for that position.

take away his size and he has no game!

shaq is the worst basketball player i have ever seen in my entire life! he can't even shot free throws if your in the nba you should at least be able to do that! the only reason he made it as far as he did is because of his size, he has no skill, you could find a little girl on a playground that has more game than him!! SHAQ GOT NOOOOO GAME!!!!!