The NBA just put up a classic video of Shaquille O’Neal obliterating the Clippers on his birthday. As we all know, Shaq will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.
We forget how powerful and nimble Shaq was in his prime. O’Neal toyed with the Clippers here as he went for a career-best 61 points and 28 rebounds (according to the video while our good friends at Basketball Reference have it at 23 boards). Poor Pete Chilcutt. Poor Anthony Avent. Poor Michael Olowokandi.
Shaq was the most unstoppable force in that campaign (and for that matter, the first decade of his career). On single coverage, there was no way you can defeat him. He can dominate you physically and he was agile and quick enough for a spin move to get away from the defender. Plus, on the last play of his video, he even threw a perfect alley-oop pass to Kobe Bryant for the reverse jam.
Even when double-teamed, Shaq found a way to get a bucket. And we know how foolish it was sometimes to double-team him because you got guys like Kobe, Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Robert Horry, Rick Fox, etc. to bury a shot when they’re left by themselves.
Let’s remember how Shaq and the Lakers used to be the undisputed best in the NBA.
adamv37 says
Shaq dominating, Kobe working with the fro, Chick Hearn providing the commentary, and the Clippers being the Clippers. It doesn’t get much better than this kids.
lalaker14 says
Total DOMINATION. Totally SHAQ!
Renato Afonso says
Shaq’s peak was above any other player I’ve seen in my lifetime. Not even Jordan was this dominant at his peak. Maybe the old timers here can compare Shaq’s peak with Wilt’s, as I think he’s the only other player who can be comparable to Shaq.
JuanJ says
adamv37
Bliss, pure Purple & Gold bliss!!!!
david-h says
Thx Rey for sharing that video of Shaq on his birthday
having fun versus the clippers over 16 and a half years ago.If he had one tenth the drive kobe had,it would be shaq and no longer Jordan deemed
the greatest of all time;by far.And yes,Buss would have paid him whatever he wanted.At least seven championships,maybe more;who knows?
That was fun.
Go lakers
5D2 says
The most memorable part of this clip is the voice in the background. Chicky! Forever the best.
Kareemez says
Renato Afonso He was unstoppable in the sense that if he caught the ball under the basket, there was absolutely nothing that could be done. As close to automatic points as there is.
_Chris J says
Looking back, that –1999-2000 Lakers team was ridiculously deep. Shaq, Kobe, Ron Harper, A.C. Green and Rice were the starters, which left Fox, Fisher, Horry and Shaw as the top guys off the bench. Think about the contributions the latter four guys made to the Lakers over their seasons in L.A. — that was your bench. Unreal.
Had the Lakers not come back from 16 down against the Blazers in Game 7 that spring, that loss would have undoubtedly placed this group among the most disappointing rosters ever.
To have prime-era Diesel, Kobe “How good is this kid?” Bryant and the rest of that lot on your squad and not win? I can’t imagine how upset we’d have been. Thankfully, they got the job done and were even more impressive the next season.
Lakers Future says
5D2
As a kid in the mid 80’s Chick’s voice is the first “sports announcer” voice I remember hearing. I literally learned the game of basketball listening to Chick explain it with all his colorful commentary. Chick was truly the BEST!