3. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is a future Hall-of-Famer, and arguably one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. And at one point, Shaq was an unstoppable force and was carrying to Lakers to glory.
With Kobe at his side, Shaq led the Lakers to three straight titles and three straight Finals MVPs. However, Shaq was more than just a basketball player during his time with the Lakers, he was also rapper and an actor. O’Neal spent eight years in Los Angeles, starting in the 1996-1997 season and concluding in the 2003-2004 season.
In between those seasons, Shaq averaged 25.9 ppg and 11.3 rpg. He brought the Lakers to three championships and the top of the NBA throne. Shaq won Finals MVPs all three years, and was by far the best center in the league. O’Neal’s stats were by far better than any other big man, however he only won regular season MVP once.
But it seemed as though Shaq didn’t mind, it seemed as though Shaq was a team guy and the Lakers would keep on winning. But that was not the story. Kobe and Shaq began to think differently and wanted to do things their own ways, and that led to the separation of one of the best duos in NBA history.
Shaq moved to join the Heat, and ruined his Laker legacy. The Lakers then had to live through on one of the worst eras in team history. Shaquille O’Neal would have been higher on this list, if it weren’t for the events that took place in the 03-04 season.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqj_iDjsG0k
Next: George Mikan
