The NBA has never produced a player like the one who is seen by many as the most physically dominant and imposing player. You would think that O'Neal would be a top 10 all-time player. The league's 75th-anniversary team was not included in the top 10, despite the fact that Shaq was not included in the top 75.
There is no shame in being ranked as the 11th best player in the history of the NBA, but there is reason to wonder why he didn't make the top 10. O'Neal is one of the five best to ever play in the league because of his dominance. I wouldn't go that far, but the debate about who is the top 10 is open for debate.
When ranking the all-time greats and who belongs where, we usually leave out who the replacement is. If the consensus is that Shaq is in the top 10, who are we removing from the top 10? Is Kobe Bryant at 10? Is Oscar Robertson at No. 9? Somehow, we have these roundtable discussions, and debate shows that are long and boring, yet rarely do we hear who they would take out of their list so the other player could be inserted.
It's hard to get Shaq into this top five. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and others. The only way to get O'Neal into the top five is to get Chamberlain back. The two players are close in their individual awards, but the one who has more NBA scoring records is the one who gets the nod over the other.
Some of you might make the argument that O'Neal could replace Larry Bird in the top 10. I am not ready to go there. Bird is the last player to win three consecutive league Most Valuable Player awards, and one of only three to ever do that. Magic can't say that. Bird is the only other player to achieve this feat.
I think it came down to O' Neal's dominance in the league. Hakeem Olajuwon was the best center in the NBA during the first few years, but it was Shaq who was the best center in the early days. Prime Hakeem had no answers from the man. He was amazing. The most dominant player in the NBA from 1999 to 2003 was Shaq. It's proof enough for me that there have been three championship and three FinalsMVPs in a row. Only winning one league Most Valuable Player during his career hurts O'Neal in this type of discussion.
I don't think he deserves to be in the top 10. Kobe Bryant and O' Neal may be moved up one spot and Oscar Robertson may be dropped two spots to number 11. I don't think the Lakers should get another player in the top 10. Sorry Lakers nation. The top 10 is already filled with Lakers and Celtics legends. Jordan, Robertson, and Tim Duncan are the only players who have never suited up for the Lakers or Celtics. One of the more prominent people to ever step onto an NBA court is O'Neal. He is an all-time great regardless of where he ranks.
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