Shaquille O’Neal is still the most physically dominant player in NBA history today. But for Gary Payton, there are two players who would have resisted him. One by its technique, the other by its size.
Shaquille O’Neal is arguably the most physically dominant player in history. Yes Zion Williamson could well succeed it with its astonishing (or disturbing) transformation, the Diesel remains for the moment an exception. With a single blow of his shoulder he could open the way to the basket, and no one could do anything about it. The proof during the Finals 2001 with the destruction of the defender of the Year title Dikembe Mutombo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5BgYiegnm8
Shaq weaker than Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming
But for Gary Payton, Shaquille O’Neal was not necessarily the best pivot of his generation. If he could do damage on a physical level, he would also have had great difficulty against two very specific opponents. One was far too technical for him and tormented him in attack, and the second far too tall. The SuperSonics legend spoke in a recent interview.
I think Hakeem Olajuwon was much better at basketball level, and Shaquille O’Neal was much more powerful. But the Dream was better, even if that’s just my opinion. He had many moves in his arsenal. He could take fadeaways, he could put his free throws… He could do anything. Shaquille O’Neal was much more into physical domination.
Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t defend on Hakeem. Shaq couldn’t defend on Yao Ming either. These were the only two players he couldn’t do anything with. There was nothing he could do against Yao because he couldn’t physically push him around, and he couldn’t do anything against Hakeem because he could spin him around with his feints and movements.
Gary Payton is adamant, but do the numbers prove him right? According to Statmuse, Yao Ming was 18.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.5 against average in 13 games against Shaq, against 22.9 points, 9.6 rebounds for the latter. And the Diesel was running at 22.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 20 games against Hakeem Olajuwon, against 18.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Dream.
He might be struggling with these legends, Shaquille O’Neal came out of same correct statistics. The proof, in direct clashes, the figures are in his favor.
