Shaquille O’Neal’s best 5 seasons

Table of Contents

When Shaquille O'Neal first pounded his way into the NBA in 1992, he was like an irresistible force the likes of which the league had never seen. An unmovable object meeting the immovable will of every opponent. Over the course of his 19-season career, The Diesel, Shaq-Fu, The Big Aristotle - pick your favorite nickname – reshaped the definition of an NBA center. But which of Shaq's seasons were truly the pinnacle of his legendary career? Let’s dive into the deep waters of Shaq's ocean of talent and rank the top five seasons of the big fella's career.

1. 1999-2000 – The Shaq Dominance

A season of such monstrosity, it's like Godzilla decided to play basketball in L.A. If you had to pick one season to encapsulate the enormity of Shaq’s dominance, this is the Mona Lisa of his career. Averaging 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 30.6, Shaq didn’t just own the paint; he annexed it. Let’s not forget a robust 57.4% shooting from the field. Think about that: fifty-seven point four percent. You know that feeling when you’re playing a video game on beginner mode, and you’re just crushing everyone? That was Shaq, except this was the NBA, not NBA 2K.

I've always felt the 1999-2000 season was like when Superman decided he was done holding back. We witnessed a Shaq that was hyper-focused on both ends of the court. The Lakers, under the tutelage of Phil Jackson, went 67-15. That's a “we might as well start planning the parade” kind of record.

2. 2000-2001 – The Unstoppable Sequel

Usually, sequels aren’t as good as the original. But 2000-2001 Shaq was "The Empire Strikes Back" of basketball. Sure, his scoring dipped a smidge to 28.7 PPG, but he was the centerpiece of a Lakers team that went on a historic 15-1 playoff run. That's like going to Vegas and only losing one hand of blackjack.

And if you dig deeper into the matrix of this season, you’d notice a slight uptick in Shaq’s usage rate. The Diesel was more involved in the offensive sets. His assists per game rose to a neat 3.7, showcasing a Big Aristotle who wasn’t just looking to dunk the soul out of opponents but also to set up his teammates for success. I always thought of this season as Shaq in his “sharing is caring” mode, a gentle giant with a dash of menace.

3. 1993-1994 – Young Diesel

In only his second season, Shaq was like a kid who’d just learned he has superpowers. The 22-year-old behemoth averaged 29.3 points and 13.2 rebounds, leading the Magic to a 50-win season. Remember the time when the Big Shamrock (yes, even before his Celtics days) was this agile youngster who could run the floor like a gazelle but with the weight of a tank?

I like to compare this season to watching Jaws for the first time. You knew something terrifying and dominant was lurking, but you just couldn’t look away. Shaq was pure, unbridled energy, with a side of finesse. You could see glimpses of the all-time great he'd become, but he was still raw enough to keep things wildly unpredictable.

4. 2001-2002 – Three-peat Shaq

If the first two Lakers championships were about Shaq's dominance and adaptability, the third was a symphony of basketball poetry. This was Beethoven’s Ninth – a master at his craft, composing magic night in and night out. Averaging 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, Shaq might've had "milder" stats, but he knew when to turn up the heat.

This was a season where Shaq's basketball IQ shined. He had a slightly reduced role in the offense, but his assist-to-turnover ratio was at a career-best. He wasn’t just dunking; he was dissecting defenses, showcasing a maestro’s touch in setting up teammates. To put it in 90s terms, if the previous seasons were Shaq’s rock albums, this was his acoustic set - and boy, was it a hit.

5. 1994-1995 – Finals Bound

Rounding up our top five, it’s the season Shaq led the Magic to their first-ever NBA Finals. It was like watching Simba become king – the prince of the league was ready to claim his throne. Averaging 29.3 points and 11.4 rebounds, Shaq was a whirlwind of dunks, blocks, and sheer willpower.

And yet, what I remember most from this season wasn’t the stats. It was the battles. Those epic clashes with Ewing, the back-and-forth with Olajuwon in the Finals. This was a younger Shaq, yes, but a Shaq determined to etch his name in the annals of NBA history. It was the prelude to his L.A. symphony, and oh, what a captivating prelude it was.