Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Shaquille O’Neal’s Footwork And Ferocious Dunk On David Robinson Prove Nobody Could Guard Him Today
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Media > Shaquille O’Neal’s Footwork And Ferocious Dunk On David Robinson Prove Nobody Could Guard Him Today

Shaquille O’Neal’s Footwork And Ferocious Dunk On David Robinson Prove Nobody Could Guard Him Today

Shaquille O’Neal bullied David Robinson—today’s centers wouldn’t last two minutes against that kind of force.

Vishwesha Kumar
Jul 14, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

There are few moments that capture Shaquille O’Neal’s sheer dominance better than his iconic move against David Robinson, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest defensive centers in NBA history. 

In that play, Shaq backed Robinson down with brute strength, spun with stunning quickness, and detonated a dunk so violent it sent Robinson crashing to the floor and left the entire rim setup shaking.

 It wasn’t just a highlight. It was a statement. And that statement still echoes today: nobody, and I mean nobody, in today’s NBA could guard prime Shaq.

It starts with the footwork. For all the talk about his size and power, people forget how nimble Shaq was. At over 300 pounds, he moved like a ballerina in the paint. Against Robinson, a Defensive Player of the Year, he used subtle positioning, balance, and a fluid spin to create space before unleashing a thunderous finish that rattled the arena. 

If that’s what he did to a top-five defender of all time, what chance do modern centers have?

Let’s run the list.

Joel Embiid? He’d get 50 dropped on his head. For all of Embiid’s skill and strength, his upright defensive posture and tendency to settle for contests wouldn’t hold up when Shaq lowered that shoulder and sealed deep.

Anthony Davis? His length and agility are elite, but Shaq would put him under the basket in seconds. Davis doesn’t have the lower-body strength to stop a freight train with feet like Fred Astaire.

Victor Wembanyama? A unicorn, yes. A defensive prodigy, no doubt. But his frame would fold like paper under Shaq’s mass. Wemby’s lack of core strength and base makes him a mismatch nightmare against someone that powerful.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Bam Adebayo, Domantas Sabonis, Kristaps Porzingis, Ivica Zubac, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alperen Sengun, Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, Myles Turner, it wouldn’t matter. 

One by one, they’d get cooked. Shaq’s combination of force and footwork would overwhelm everyone of them. Whether it’s finesse in the post, a shoulder drop, a spin, or just raw power, none of these modern bigs have the tools to stop him.

Nikola Jokic? Maybe. His strength and intelligence give him a fighting chance. But even Jokic would concede 40 points trying to deal with that force. The best he could hope for is trading buckets, and that’s being generous.

Sure, on the defensive end, Shaq might face challenges. Today’s spacing, pick-and-roll frequency, and three-point shooting centers would pull him away from the paint. He’d struggle to close out on shooters or defend the perimeter. 

But none of that would matter when he’s giving you 38 and 15 with 75% efficiency. You could exploit Shaq defensively, but you couldn’t survive him offensively.

In truth, there has never been, and likely never will be, a player like Shaquille O’Neal, a once-in-a-generation blend of mass, mobility, and mentality. In any era, he was a problem.

In today’s game? With no real post defenders left, and centers prioritizing finesse over force?

Shaq would be unstoppable.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:David RobinsonShaquille O'Neal
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Rich Paul Reacts To Draymond Green Claiming The New CBA Has Ruined Free Agency
Next Article Stephen Curry Shuts Down Talk of Warriors’ Decline: “We’ve Heard It Before”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Stephon Marbury prepares to watch the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
NBA News & Media

Cam’ron Details The Night He Saved Stephon Marbury From A Robbery

October 4, 2025
Lakers head coach Byron Scott reacts during an NBA game against the Kings at Staples Center
NBA News & Media

Byron Scott Once Left His Own Son Behind In New Orleans For Being Late To The Team Flight

October 4, 2025
LaVar Ball Claims He Can Still Beat Michael Jordan Even Without His Right Foot: "I Took It Off So It Would Be Even"
NBA News & Media

LaVar Ball Claims He Can Still Beat Michael Jordan Even Without His Right Foot: “I Took It Off So It Would Be Even”

October 2, 2025
Shaquille O'Neal Reacts To Rumors About Dating Sophie Rain: "I Will Date Your Mom And Give U A Brother"
Entertainment News & Gossip

Shaquille O’Neal Reacts To Rumors About Dating Sophie Rain: “I Will Date Your Mom And Give U A Brother”

October 2, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?