In the modern NBA, we hardly see any player completely tormenting opponents like the 90s or even the 2000s. One big reason for this transition is that most players now rely on outside shooting instead of simply muscling their to the basket. Shaquille O’Neal was the perfect example of how tough players used to be in the NBA.
However, even among them, Shaq was a notch above the rest. During the early years of his career, he was lethal inside the paint and there was hardly anyone who could stop him in his tracks. As a result, O’Neal had a pretty amazing career and if had taken better care of his physique, he could have probably ended up with more rings on his resume.
Despite the steep decline later in his career, most fans still hold Shaq as the most dominant player in the history of the NBA. Recently, Hoops Central asked the same question on Twitter. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins was quick to answer that question. Perkins tweeted:
“Yes!!! It’s not even close. Carry the hell on…”
YES!!! It’s not even close. Carry the hell on… https://t.co/O2zrrzmCn0
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 24, 2021
Perkins believes that not only Shaq is the most dominant player in NBA history, but there is no close second to O’Neal. Considering the accolades that Shaq has to his name, Perkins just might be right.
For starters, he spent 18 seasons in the league, which is quite admirable. Being able to play for 18 years in the best league in the world is something not many players can achieve.
Moving forward with his accolades, Shaq finished his career as a 4x NBA champ, 15x All-Star, 3x Finals MVP, 1x League MVP, and many other honors.
These stats prove that he was used to winning in the NBA, but his true dominant self can be seen on the court. More often than not, the defenders were completely helpless in front of Shaq during his prime.
Do you think Shaq is the most dominant player ever? Or do you disagree with Kendrick Perkins’ comments? If yes, then let us know your pick for the most dominant NBA player ever in the comments section below.
