NBA Draft: Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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4. 1992: Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic

Between 1993 and 2003, you could argue that Shaquille O’Neal was arguably the most dominant center in the NBA. In that stretch of time, O’Neal led the NBA in field goal percentage six times, led the league in scoring twice and finished with the highest PER five times. When Shaq was motivated, he was virtually unstoppable under the basket.

O’Neal spent the first four seasons co-starring with Penny Hardaway with the Orlando Magic. He averaged 27.0 points and 11.8 rebounds. Shaq and Penny’s efforts helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in just their sixth season of existence, though they were swept by the Houston Rockets.

O’Neal then took his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he eventually paired up with burgeoning superstar wing Kobe Bryant to bring three consecutive championships to L.A. In the midst of that three-peat, Shaq put together one of the greatest single seasons in NBA history (29.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG 57.4 FG%) to take home the 1999-00 MVP.

Age, fluctuating weight, and injuries eventually slowed down “Diesel”, as he played out the rest of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Miami Heat (where he won one more title with Dwyane Wade). But Shaq, more than anything else he’s done, will be remembered for how easy he made basketball look in the late 1990s and early 2000s.