“ExcellenIN LAKERS

“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” as it was once stated by one of the most famous players in the basketball industry, Shaquille O’Neal. This proves that even the best players consider that success is not an overnight process but a fruit of hardwork and patience. Shaquille Rashaun “Shaq” O’Neal, born in Newark, New Jersey on the sixth of March year 1972 which makes him forty-seven shaq lakers as of this year. Shaq started his urge to play basketball during his high school years for Cole High School varsity basketball team. Right after high school, he studied business and played at the same time at Louisiana State University (LSU) which made him NCAA’s men’s basketball player of the year way back in 1991. But Shaq sought for a greener pasture in the basketball industry and left LSU to pursue his career in NBA while continuing his studies.

As he continued to play for bigger leagues, it was without a doubt the reason for his career to grow. True enough that he had played for no less than six different teams all throughout the nineteen colorful years of his career. But he really made a name when he played for Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2004. It was not just playing with Kobe Bryant and wearing Lakers color that made it memorable, but this was also the time that Shaq had his most dominant performances ever in his entire basketball life. Here are Shaquille O’Neal’s Top 5 Most Dominant Games with Lakers.

At spot number five. March 21, 2003, when they played against Boston Celtics, which was known to be their most recognized rival. Shaq definitely made a huge step up unlike others with his 48-point, 20-rebound efforts against Paul Pierce and gang back in 2003. What was even more impressive was how he got 19 out of 24 on this evening which made a good shooting clip of 79.2 %.

Owning the rank four. During the Game 1-Western Conference Semifinals of May 6, 2001, versus Sacramento Kings. Speaking of rivals, Sacramento Kings were always a pain in the neck for the Lakers in the early 2000. Although they have a powerful team composition, they were no match for Shaq’s dominance. Shaq’s most unforgettable feat against the Kings was in Game 1 when he burned them in scoring 44 on 17 out of 32 shots, 21 rebounds, and blocked their shots for seven times.

Taking the third place. Playoffs First Round, Game 1 against Sacramento Kings on April 23, 2000. This was during the very first game of the NBA Playoffs in the year 2000. Shaq made use of the first game of the playoffs to send a word not only for their versus that time, but for the rest of the NBA. he finished the game with 21 out of 33 shots making a 46 points, 17 boards, an assist, two steals, and five blocks which led the Lakers to victory.

Second to the top. Gone with the playoffs, Washington Wizards, March 23, 2001, which is one of his regular season contest. This was the moment when Shaq delivered his dominance in full display as he made 40 points on 15 out of 25 shots, 17 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and five blocks, making Wizards quiver in defeat. In addition to that, he managed to do all this in just 38 minutes.

Finally, the rank one in our list, we saved the best of Shaq’s performance. March 6, 2000 against Los Angeles Clippers which is the most appropriate representation of how dominant this man was. Unlike other games, this had him scored the highest in his career which was 61 points as he had 24 out of 35 shot attempts, and also gripped 23 boards.

Words are not enough to discuss how this man made a noise during his life as a basketball player. He did not only played for himself, but he played to prove that he was worthy to be playing for the team. This mind-blowing performance made him ensure a spot on the Top 10 players in the history of NBA. Shaquille O’Neal and his legendary career really carved in through the history of basketball.