Can only score by backing into legitimate defenses. When he scores 20 points, he commits 9 fouls. Read the rulebook, NBA.

Shaquille is one of the two greatest centers of his era, the other being Tim Duncan.  He was/is deficient at the foul line, but so was Wilt Chamberlain.

Underdeserving, yes; mediocre, no. People say that Shaq owed everything to his freakish physicality, my favorite version of which below is: "Shaq is an average player in a bodyguard's body." But being born to the role doesn't make you any less great; it just makes you unlikeable. Shaq was, in fact, the reason I stopped rooting for the Lakers. But that hardly diminishes his claim to greatness; what does diminish it was his horrendous shooting from outside of 5 feet. As an added bonus, he was funny at times because audiences were never quite sure how seriously to take him. For example, his desire to be known as "the big Aristotle" was to me pretty hilarious, and even that anti-Kobe rap was riotous.

The guy's an animal! Great NBA player, great orator (Shaq-isms), great actor (Kazaam, Steel, etc.).

Probably the most over-rated athlete in the history of sports. Owes nearly all of his success to a brutish style of "tackle basketball" and the fact a dunk still counts as two points in the N.B.A. His signature move (two two-footed hops and lowering his shoulder while exploding into his oppenents like Larry Csonka) is the product of a league that no longer regards the established rule book in favor of marketing their product to a fan base desensitized by rap music and "reality television." This overweight, underconditioned 'superstar' would die of a heart attack if he had to chase Russell, Chamberlain, or Robert Parrish up and down the court for forty minutes a game. His work-ethic is revealed by his lack of success at the free throw line and the amount of time that he spends on the disabled list for every hang nail that he suffers. Gladiators show up in the arena when it's their day to fight. Shaq stays home and makes bad records.

One way to rate a player is how dominant he was. Seriously, how many players in the history of the NBA were more or at least as equally dominant as Shaquille O'Neal? I can only think of four: The NBA's first superstar, George Mikan; scoring machine Wilt Chamberlain; the owner of the most dangerous shot in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and Michael Jordan. Now that's pretty good company. Not saying Shaq is one of the top five players in NBA history since dominance is only one factor that makes up greatness (one of two or three key factors, mind you). But anyone who suggests that Shaq isn't one of the top dozen players in NBA history should not be taken seriously. Pat them on the back and nod with a tolerant smile but don't take the Shaq detractors anymore seriously than you would an angry child throwing a tantrum. Shaq destroyed the competition. To suggest he was (is still to a lesser degree) dominant is an understandment. In his prime, he was the fifth fundamental force of the universe; a force of nature and a brother of tornadoes and hurricanes, of earthquakes and volcanoes. He was THE FORCE.

shack is the WWF with a basketball. how can anybody with even half a brain even think that he is a good player, when the average person can beat him at a game of h.o.r.s.e. Hell, my son who is only 13 can beat him at the free throw line. I cant belive anyone can think that shack, with his great range of 3 feet, is even an average player. There is a lot more to basketball than just dunking the ball.

I don't think that some people here understand Shaq, or basketball at all. I more or less agree with bruns, but not completely. Shaq is probably the most dominant player in the league today and teams honestly are forced to focus their defense around him to hold him to under 30, and still fail sometimes. Now that he is on the Heat and away from Kobe, it shows who was the most important to that franchise. Shaq = instant success.

the most dominating player to ever play the game... nobody could stop this man... the definition of unstoppable

Some of these takes ripping Shaq are the dumbest I've ever heard. He just dominates because people are afraid of him? Anyone that size should score more? He's not an athlete, he's just big? Are you KIDDING? I HATE the Lakers, but it doesn't take too much thought to realize that to be able to run the floor, rebound, defend, and yes, score the way Shaq does, at 7'1 and over 350 lbs, you've got to be one hell of an athlete. Listen to anyone who knows the game talk about Shaq, and you'll hear a testament to a combination of size and agility that's never been seen before in the league. If you're telling me that Robert Parish, Patrick Ewing, or any other big man that rates higher than Shaq on this list is a better basketball player, you sir are an Idiot.

Im not doubting that shaq is a great scorer/rebounder, but let's face it. He has no skill. In fact an argument could be made that a man his size should score MORE than shaq actually does,thus exposing the truth. Shaq is an average player in a bodyguard's body.

he sucks at his free throws and the omly raeson why he is so dominate is because everyone in the nba is afarid of him

This Shaq debate, lets look at it does anybody remember when he was with orlando, they played the Bulls Dennis rodman guarded him and shut him down shaq wined after the series like a baby, he is abig fat slob who only can scored by committing a offense faul almost everytime he posts up , he lowers his shoulder like afootball player, he has no other move, and wait a minute am I wrong did he ever lead the league in rebounding, huh you mean the most demonate center has never led the league in rebounding ecause folks thats what a center is supposed to do rebounding is important because you cant score without the ball, so demonating whats his hihgest scoring game, You know chamberlain led league in scoring and rebounding almost everyyear he played and when they said all he could do was score Wilt said I can lead the league in Assists (passing if I wanted too0- they laughed at him the next year he led league in passsing and the year after that he was second, plus harvey Pollack the NBA offical stat guy who kept blocked shots befor3 they became offical wilt averaged over 6 a game for his whole career, also what about this new stat tripe doubles, thats is onlhy a new NBA offical stat tiple double, so they say Magic is the leader, but oscar, had twice as many triple doubles, but he dont have record because NBA didnt have a stat calling it Tiple double record till a couple years ago, Plus Wilt has more triple doubles then Magic and if they kept his blocked shots or should I say the NBA reconized it back then he hae quaddrople doubles, think about the year he had 9 assists a game league high 27 points 25 rebounds how many tiple doubles he had How many tiple doubles does shaq have, oh they must have forgot to write them down since he is the best, like they forgot M jordans stats Jordan dont have to many double doubles look it up but he is the best wow, how many double doubles does he have maybe 17 boy he is the gratest all around player I wonder were these morans get there logic, best all around to be the best dont you have to be all around

he brings past to present. reminding of wilt chamberlain, shaq shows great domination around the rim, his quick feet, great positioning, huge block, big mass, powerful dunk. what a true center he's been

I like SHAQ FU, dont get me wrong, but when people try to say that HE is anywhere close to the best? heck no!

would give him a five, but when he shoots foul shots he looks more like jennifer o'neill.

I think Shaq is a down to earth guy with a good heart. He would probably do anything for anyone if it meant helping people. And not only that, but he is a great athlete. So if he is overrated, then he deserves it. I don't think this man could ever say anything bad about someone else. So just lay off of him....

Excellent player. Very fast spins. I can't believe he's so far behind barkley and olajuwon. There are definitely club allegiances at work in these ratings (what has barkley done, really?)

He's overrated. But he is good and his autobiography made me understand him. I respect Shaq.

The most overrated athlete ever in the history of sports.

he looks funny and is good at basketball. dont be dissin the shaq

I think the diesel needs to get his free throw pecentage up to 70% until then I will always go with Duncan as the best and most dominant player in the league

Top 5.

I don't even like Shaq, but come on people, the charging issue or not, one word UNSTOPABLE!

He has no skill! Only hight and wieght! I don't know what he's doing on the all time list! If the refs ever start calling him for charging or three in the key he will be... NOTHING!!!!

Shaq is going to be one of the greatest once he wins a championship.

Barkley, Malone, and O'Neal would be rated higher if they won championships. Jordan is the best of all-time.

I think Shaq is a terrible free throw shooter & fairly young to be considered as one of the NBAs best.

Are you kidding me! What a Bum! 400 million a year and he shoots 50% from the line. If refs call his charges, he's a Stanley Roberts upgrade at best.