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I totally agree with Shaq on his list. I saw them all play outside of Russell. Most of them I saw a bunch.
A larger-then-life personality, O'Neal retires with career averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks per game on 58.2 percent shooting, but his numbers jumped to 27 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks in 514 regular season games played in LA.
One of the game's greatest centers considers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be the best to play the position. And, excluding himself from the conversation, he considers Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson to be the top five centers of all time.
"Just to have my name mentioned next to those guys is a blessing," O'Neal said.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6622124
I totally agree with Shaq on his list. I saw them all play outside of Russell. Most of them I saw a bunch.
During the interview, he said his list was "Kareem . . . Mr. Russell . . . Mr. Chamberlain . . . Mr. Olajuwon . . . and Mr. Robinson."
He also said that he considers them all to have been among his favorite players.
Robinson over Duncan? Interesting....particularly coming from Shaq.
Oh, that's right....Duncan's a PF.
Nice compliment for Robinson. Guess the Admiral finally got around to giving him an autograph.
Wow, given the amount of hate he had for Robinson, I found this to be shocking ...
While I am sure if Robinson was put in a situation with the right teammates (a PG who could actually shoot for once, and couple of three point shooters, and maybe a PF who isn't crazy), he could have won multiple championships as the centrepiece, I still have to be realistic and deal with what actually happened.
I probably would put the top 5 as Jabbar, Wilt, Russell, Hakeem, Moses. Then Shaq (reluctantly), and Robinson, Walton, Reed, Thurmond.
He never hated David, he used to play around and use things for motivation and some took it too serious! Shaq was playing around talking crap alot of times.
Tim is a CF he created a whole new position IMO.Oh, that's right....Duncan's a PF.
"Center Forward"
exactly.
He did not hate him. Its just good old sports rivalry, in the heat of games and talking smack. He also punched Barkley, but I think they are actually, I wouldn't say friends, but cool now. He does not hate Barkley
Damn... surprised he put Robinson in there.
Pretty good list, I'd say he's right.
I'm not surprised at all. Shaq never would have hyped the rivalry if he didn't respect Dave. Also, Robinson put heartbreaking bookends on Shaq's 3peat so, he earned the respect.
Once old warriors get to a certain age they begin to respect their adversaries more.
If for no other reason than to enhance their own image. After all, if their opponents were no damn good, what does it say for their perfomances and records?
Didn't David Robinson say one time Shaq Wrote a book? What was it in crayon? I swear he said that but can't find it right now
no, a newscaster was walking with him asking if he was aware Shaq wrote a book, in it dissing him.. Robinsons exact response was a look of shock, and asked "what is it, a picture book?". Funny ..Didn't David Robinson say one time Shaq Wrote a book? What was it in crayon? I swear he said that but can't find it right now
Lol, that still doesn't mean he hated Robinson. Thats just your opinion. He probably disliked his game more after Robinson posted that 71 and beat him out for the scoring le in 95, but other than that I seriously doubt as arrogant as Shaq is would put a guy he hated personally as a top 5 center of all time. He could had just as easily put Ewing's name there over Robinson. And for the record I was shocked to see him mention David Robinson.
Not to mention a coach who was basically the prequel to Isaiah Thomas.
- I always dismissed the Robinson smack if for no other reason than the compliment he gave to Dave's defense a long time ago, saying [paraphrase] nobody defended him as well/straight up as Robinson did.
Besides, Shaq has always considered Timmy an untouchable legend, even giving him his one and only nickname (sorry "groundhog day" -blecch.) Yet he was constantly clowning the Spurs during the 2001-2002 8-1 skunking.
If you've been watching the last 20 years ya might have noticed O'Neal tends to talk out of both sides of his mouth. Just his idea of gamesmanship.
You guys know that story about Robinson dissing Shaq when he was going to high school in SA isn't true, right?
lol this doesnt say anything though.
But hey, im wrong in so many ways. you must be right then
DRob never dissed anyone. I've seen it personally where he would give an unknown kid his time, even as a rookie in the league, with no cameras or anyone around to point out what a great person David was. Of course I saw it, but it was eaves dropping, not an event. I've seen him on multiple occasions go out of his way to talk to people who he met about things, and he's still like that.
I'm convinced Spurfan would rather see their mothers raped than have to listen to people shame D-Rob's name.
IMO, Robinson doesn't get mentioned enough for being the great player, and dominant defensive presence that he was. So it was shocking to hear Shaq give Big Dave his just due.
Where did you get that mugshot of Manu. Hilarious!
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