Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP/Getty Images) /

Best Orlando Magic Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Shaquille O’Neal

Just about ever No. 1 pick has the potential for greatness with a margin of error that ranges by year. It’s why teams feel comfortable selecting that player so high. But some find themselves in a category even more pristine, with a level of talent capable of single-handedly altering the trajectory of a franchise.

Coming out of LSU with a rare combination of size, power and athleticism, Shaquille O’Neal was one of those transcendent players. At a time where seven-footers populated the NBA, he was going to overtake them all as one of the most dominating forces in league history, and he’d do so as a member of the Orlando Magic.

He arrived at an expansion franchise that had won no more than 31 games during any of their four seasons of existence and immediately added 10 victories to their total. He won Rookie of the Year with numbers of 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game, a level of production a majority of centers would take at their best.

Shaq wasn’t just unstoppable around the basket. Opponents were right to fear for their well-being when near him in the post. He was over 300 pounds of raw power, able to bully the most intimidating of opponents with the ease of a varsity highschooler matched up against the JV squad.

Even the most talented youngster needs time before they can make their mark in the playoffs, but O’Neal was a different type of greatness. He followed up an opening-round sweep with a trip to the NBA Finals the following season. Shaq was then humbled by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, but the legend was only in its beginning stages.

As fate would have it, O’Neal would leave the Magic Kingdon after just four seasons due to contract differences. In 2015, he expressed a desire to change the past and commit beyond those four years, posing an interesting what-if for those previously excited about Orlando’s future.

Less than half a decade usually isn’t enough time for a player to leave much of a mark on an organization, but Shaq proved to be no ordinary talent. Despite the incredible expectations coming out of college, he somehow managed to live up to them all, and he’s one of the greatest centers of all time because of it.