One doesn’t have to be a basketball connoisseur to know that Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most popular players in NBA history.
And he didn’t earn that just because of his larger-than-life personality, his countless business endeavors and cameos, or his size.
He earned that on the basketball court as perhaps the most dominant player we have ever seen.
However, despite his résumé, the eye test, and pretty much a consensus among his fans and haters alike, NBA analyst Bob Ryan still doesn’t think he’s one of the top centers of all time.
In a recent video on the “NBA History & Storytellers on CLNS” YouTube channel, the renowned journalist doubled down on his never-ending anti-Shaq takes, pointing out the fact that despite his physical traits, he never led the league in rebounding; thus, he cannot be a great center.
He claimed that Shaq was a top-20 player if he was lucky, adding that he was overrated.
With all due respect to Ryan, there’s no way there are 19 players better than Shaquille O’Neal in NBA history.
We’re talking about an unstoppable force on the offensive end of the floor, and an imposing and dominant defender as well.
His athleticism, strength, speed, and mobility were only topped by his basketball IQ, as he was a much more intelligent and savvier player than some make him out to be.
The only knock on Shaq was his work ethic, as he could’ve been even more dominant than he was.
But even without being in top-shape, no one on Earth could stop him in his heyday.
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