Shaquille O'Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are, without question, two of the greatest centers of all-time. Shaq holds 4 championships (with 3 Finals MVPs) and one regular season MVP. He was at, or near, the top of the game from 1993 until 2006. He led his team to the finals 6 times and operated as the most fearsome presence in the low post since Wilt Chamberlain. Standing 7'1" and 325 lbs, Shaq was the best center in the game for over a decade. His career averages are: 23.7 pts, 10.9 rebs and 2.5 assists. His 58.2% Field Goal Percentage ranks 2nd all-time. He has scored the 5th most points in NBA History. He is a living legend who extended his career an impressive 19 seasons.........But is he better than Kareem?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds 6 NBA Championships (with 2 Finals MVPs). He was named Most Valuable Player 6 times (an NBA Record). Standing 7'2" and 225 lbs, Kareem was a finesse center who averaged 24.6 pts per game over a 20 year career. Add to that 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists and you have a comprehensive statistical advantage for Kareem over Shaq. Kareem was the best center in the league, without question, from 1970 until 1982. Kareem was even selected to the All-NBA First Team in 1985-86 at age 39. Kareem is the all-time leading scorer in NBA History. He once averaged 34.8 pts in a season and ended his career with 2.6 blocks per game. While Shaq could bully his way into scoring, Kareem was equally unstoppable with a skillful shot he invented: the skyhook.
The answer is clear. Kareem was better than Shaq. He even added 5 First Team All-Defenses to his resume, while Shaq never received that honor. Kareem did more over a longer period and ended his career as arguably the most successful player in the history of the game.
Advantage: KAREEM
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