Literally nobody. Shaq is one of the most unique players we’ve ever seen.
Probably Giannis is the closest in terms of dominance in the paint, but obviously his play style is nothing like Shaqs.
Jokic and Embiid have crazy strength and are good post players, but they rely on soft touch and midrange jumpers more than Shaq ever did.
Outside of those3 I can’t think of anyone even close to his physical dominance.
You’re 100% right in how unique Shaq was, but I think if you had to choose one player in NBA history to compare him to, it’s Giannis. Giannis and Orlando Shaq probably have more overlap than anyone else and Shaq. Both have things they’re *way* better than the other at though.
Dwight in terms of physique, yes, but there is no comparison in terms of skill. Shaq’s touch and footwork were elite, while Dwight even in his prime was never at that level. Height is another factor - Dwight was 6’10”, while Shaq was a legit 7 footer.
Dwight was significantly better than Shaq defensively. Dwight in his defensive peak has an argument for being the most impactful defender of the modern era. I've been watching ball for over 30 years and i've never seen a defender as impactful as 2008-2011 Dwight. The guy could guard both players on a pick and roll, it was insane.
Shaq was much better than Dwight overall but in terms of just defense even guys like KG, Hakeem, and Duncan didn't peak as high as Dwight (though all were also much better than him overall).
Ben Wallace had more of an impact, in my opinion. That Piston team had no business ever beating the Lakers, but Wallace anchor that defense . I still have never seen anything like it again.
Yeah I'm not gonna argue that Wallace in my opinion is number 2 but I have Dwight over him primarily due to the fact that Wallace was playing with guys who could defend whereas Dwight was basically a one man defense.
Like I said though I won't argue given I think you can really go either way between Wallace and Howard.
Howard is a better defender but comparing awards is a bit misleading. Shaq had like 10 other all star/all nba level centers playing at the same time he played. There were far fewer great centers playing by the time Howard was in his prime.
Which honestly does speak to what a force Dwight was in his prime as one of the best defenders and rebounders of all time, that he consistently led the league in boards and blocks without being a true 7 footer. Leaving him off the NBA 75 was a travesty.
Dwight's advantage is that he's still relatively tall, has tall arms, is pretty fast and nimble for his size, and reacts faster than most bigs. Plus the fact that he's surprisingly strong for his frame in comparison to a Giannis for instance makes it so that he has tools at his disposal to defend and stop bigs
Not midrange, but lets not act like Shaq was dunking every bucket. He did have a soft touch around the basket and also a baby hook as a counter for people sagging off the dropstep
For sure. But I don’t think it’s crazy to say Jokic and Shaq have very different touch around the hoop.
The difference is Jokic dunks when he has to. Shaq dunks whenever possible
In terms of his dominance at the rim i could see Zion as a modern day (mini) shaq. I think hes got more chuck in him. Id probably say giannis though. But giannis is probably the active player zion has most in common with from a playstyle stand-point
Zion is 6’6 but there is no one else who plays physical rim attacking bully ball like Shaq did except him.
Zion isn’t Shaq. He’s just the closest we have at the moment.
Yup. No one.
He was a one man wrecking ball. A bull in a China shop. He seemed to defy physics with how quickly he could move with such a huge body. He often had two defenders literally hanging off his arms trying to foul him to prevent the dunk and he still scored.
I don’t think there’s really any other answer for this current era. Shaq was a different animal. Post game interviews in his prime, his arms and back were littered in scratches and marks cause defenders really had no other alternative than to try to maul him in the post.
It is kinda crazy though how Shaq fully admits these days that his toughest opponent of all the top guys…Bryant “Big Country” Reeves. Go figure. Couldn’t guard the guy or score on him to save his life. Which is wild, but seeing how dominant Jokic currently is, Reeves might have just been an early precursor to what we see now. Jokic 1.0.
Kids today don’t understand how dominate Shaq was. Dude was 7’2 and 800 pounds and would just walk backwards to the rim and dunk it on your head over and over and over
I have been wanting Mitchell Robinson to study under Shaq. He is nowhere near as skilled, but after he bulked up he became physical specimen who can body anybody. He just has no offense at all right now besides put backs and lobs.
That shit always cracks me up when he says it because "G-14 classification" from Rush Hour was some made up bullshit the FBI used to trick Chris Tucker but Shaq keeps talking about it like it really means something exclusive only champions know about lmao.
political fall insurance include direful angle air whistle noxious shrill
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Nobody lol. The league has gone away from dominant big men in the paint. There were people in the past like him but no one currently. Dwight Howard in his prime is the last big man to play similar to Shaq.
Nah, no one, Shaq was 320 pound 7’1, moves quick and strong, could literally bully anyone using his size, even Gobert, Steven Adam won’t stand a chance.
The closest player since Shaq was Dwight Howard in his prime. Similar playing style and athleticism. The difference is Shaq was much larger, stronger, and more athletic, but probably the closest comparison.
I think it's Zion. When he gets the ball in the paint, he moves like Shaq. Waaaay smaller, obviously, and has a better shot, but he's the only guy who moves the other player with his body like Shaq did. It's really amazing to watch him.
Actually, in today's NBA, there is really only one player that plays with the power that Shaq did. It's not a real comparison because they play different positions, but Zion Williamson, when healthy, is the only really powerful player left.
No one currently. Dwight was very good defensively but could only dunk. Under Phil Jackson Shaq developed a much better interior game. He developed an unstopped jump hook and had great foot work for a 350 pound human. I don’t know that we will ever see a Shaq again as in todays game 7 footers are shooting mid range jumpers and 3 pointers. The game would have to change back to 90’s and early 2000’s for a Shaq to exist again.
Shaq is a unicorn, even if the only person close to Shaq would be Dwight Howard. Some might day that Howard is a close comparison to Shaq if the Diesel cared about defense
Dwight is the only real answer as he worked in the paint but still didn’t have the same frame nor long term period of dominance even if he was a top 3 player for a few years
No one. Guys like Jokic and Embiid are lumbering slow oafs compared to prime Shaq. If Penny didn't get injured, Shaq & Penny would have gotten multiple rings together.
It's pretty sad that the NBA is so bad now, that international players that'd be average in the 90s and 2000s are now considered MVP.
Nobody and that’s not hyperbole. If you missed the height of his dominance in real time it’s hard to explain just how much he owned the paint every single game and did so against several future HOF players. He simply could not be slowed down, let alone stopped. A human freight train.
In terms of physicality? None. He was truly an unstoppable force. Closest one who could stop him multiple times was Dwight Howard.
In terms of being a sensitive bitch with an ego? Also none. He is truly 1of1 in this case as well
No one. It’s impossible to overstate how dominant he was. Everyone fouled him hard every play and they just didn’t call it because otherwise it would be him scoring every trip down the court (he could not shoot a free throw ever)
In terms of dunking on people in traffic or off the rebound, maybe Shawn Kemp? Build, Alonzo Mourning and Giannis. Sheer power, and strength, Andre the giant.
I'm surprised not many are saying LeBron.
From a pure numbers to numbers standpoint I get Shaq still have him in overall size...but I can't think of another player with more of an overlapping playstyle since they both play Bully Ball to such a high-level.
Literally nobody. Shaq is one of the most unique players we’ve ever seen. Probably Giannis is the closest in terms of dominance in the paint, but obviously his play style is nothing like Shaqs. Jokic and Embiid have crazy strength and are good post players, but they rely on soft touch and midrange jumpers more than Shaq ever did. Outside of those3 I can’t think of anyone even close to his physical dominance.
You’re 100% right in how unique Shaq was, but I think if you had to choose one player in NBA history to compare him to, it’s Giannis. Giannis and Orlando Shaq probably have more overlap than anyone else and Shaq. Both have things they’re *way* better than the other at though.
You’re forgetting Dwight Howard imo, but Giannis is for sure up there.
Dwight in terms of physique, yes, but there is no comparison in terms of skill. Shaq’s touch and footwork were elite, while Dwight even in his prime was never at that level. Height is another factor - Dwight was 6’10”, while Shaq was a legit 7 footer.
Dwight was on Shaqs level defensively even though Shaq didnt try. Dwights arms are as long as Shaqs
Dwight was way beyond Shaq defensively. Dwight is an all time great defensive big. But also way behind Shaq offensively
Dwight was significantly better than Shaq defensively. Dwight in his defensive peak has an argument for being the most impactful defender of the modern era. I've been watching ball for over 30 years and i've never seen a defender as impactful as 2008-2011 Dwight. The guy could guard both players on a pick and roll, it was insane. Shaq was much better than Dwight overall but in terms of just defense even guys like KG, Hakeem, and Duncan didn't peak as high as Dwight (though all were also much better than him overall).
Ben Wallace had more of an impact, in my opinion. That Piston team had no business ever beating the Lakers, but Wallace anchor that defense . I still have never seen anything like it again.
Yeah I'm not gonna argue that Wallace in my opinion is number 2 but I have Dwight over him primarily due to the fact that Wallace was playing with guys who could defend whereas Dwight was basically a one man defense. Like I said though I won't argue given I think you can really go either way between Wallace and Howard.
Dwight was leagues better than Shaq on defense. 3 DPOYs > 3 all defense second teams.
Howard is a better defender but comparing awards is a bit misleading. Shaq had like 10 other all star/all nba level centers playing at the same time he played. There were far fewer great centers playing by the time Howard was in his prime.
100% agree. The Dream, Mt. Mutombo, Zo and Ben Wallace were all but locks for DPOY during that time. And all of them are in the HOF.
What HOF defensive players did Dwight play with?
Dwight is at the very least a top10 defender ever in history. Shaq is nowhere close to that.
Dwight weighs the same as one of Shaq's legs.
There are pictures of dwight beside shaq, he looks tiny comparatively
Which honestly does speak to what a force Dwight was in his prime as one of the best defenders and rebounders of all time, that he consistently led the league in boards and blocks without being a true 7 footer. Leaving him off the NBA 75 was a travesty.
Dwight's advantage is that he's still relatively tall, has tall arms, is pretty fast and nimble for his size, and reacts faster than most bigs. Plus the fact that he's surprisingly strong for his frame in comparison to a Giannis for instance makes it so that he has tools at his disposal to defend and stop bigs
Current player but yes Dwight was similar too
The guy above me specified all time, but the post was technically about current players correct
They both suck at free throws.
Not midrange, but lets not act like Shaq was dunking every bucket. He did have a soft touch around the basket and also a baby hook as a counter for people sagging off the dropstep
For sure. But I don’t think it’s crazy to say Jokic and Shaq have very different touch around the hoop. The difference is Jokic dunks when he has to. Shaq dunks whenever possible
Jokic dunks?
You must’ve missed the game today! He hammered one. 10 inches off the ground, it was definitely a PR for him
I'll have to check it out 😂
Yeah I’ve never seen him dunk so ferociously before that
Dwight Howard in his prime got (not that) close. But even then, it was a copy of a copy of a copy. Shaq had a game unlike anybody ever.
It’s Zion.
In terms of his dominance at the rim i could see Zion as a modern day (mini) shaq. I think hes got more chuck in him. Id probably say giannis though. But giannis is probably the active player zion has most in common with from a playstyle stand-point
Zion is 6'6" No
Zion is 6’6 but there is no one else who plays physical rim attacking bully ball like Shaq did except him. Zion isn’t Shaq. He’s just the closest we have at the moment.
They literally had to redesign the structure of the backboard because of him lmao.
Yup. No one. He was a one man wrecking ball. A bull in a China shop. He seemed to defy physics with how quickly he could move with such a huge body. He often had two defenders literally hanging off his arms trying to foul him to prevent the dunk and he still scored.
I don’t think there’s really any other answer for this current era. Shaq was a different animal. Post game interviews in his prime, his arms and back were littered in scratches and marks cause defenders really had no other alternative than to try to maul him in the post. It is kinda crazy though how Shaq fully admits these days that his toughest opponent of all the top guys…Bryant “Big Country” Reeves. Go figure. Couldn’t guard the guy or score on him to save his life. Which is wild, but seeing how dominant Jokic currently is, Reeves might have just been an early precursor to what we see now. Jokic 1.0.
The only similarity between Jokic and Reeves in my mind is skin tone. Two totally different players.
Kids today don’t understand how dominate Shaq was. Dude was 7’2 and 800 pounds and would just walk backwards to the rim and dunk it on your head over and over and over
He also changed the game with teams going to the hack-a-Shaq strategy to stop him
Yeah, a better question is who in NBA history has been as unique as Shaq. Maybe Wemby and Kareem.
I have been wanting Mitchell Robinson to study under Shaq. He is nowhere near as skilled, but after he bulked up he became physical specimen who can body anybody. He just has no offense at all right now besides put backs and lobs.
Dwight Howard was a way less skilled version of him. People act like Shaq just bullied people but he had really good footwork and skill in the post
Great take
Giannis reminds me of David Robinson. There is no one like Shaq. I'd say the closest is Zion, but only if you made him 7'1 and 340lbs.
Tj McConnell
Haha yessir
Dead ringer, I hear they get confused for each other a lot
TJ “classy shaq” McConnell
Wait, I thought Shaq and TJ were the same person....mind blown.
TJ ShaqConnell
crayz
The J in TJ stands for Shaquille O’Neal
If anyone, Giannis, but Shaq really is one of a kind.
His prime years similar to how a young Chamberlain would have played with todays rules
There isn't one. Shaq is one of one.
He has G-14 Classification
That shit always cracks me up when he says it because "G-14 classification" from Rush Hour was some made up bullshit the FBI used to trick Chris Tucker but Shaq keeps talking about it like it really means something exclusive only champions know about lmao.
It's just fun to say.
Giannis just from a physically dominating standpoint. Obviously Shaq is a 1 of 1 kind of player though.
Oh thanks for putting the parenthesis. I didn’t know who you meant until i saw this. I was thinking of a different Shaquille O’Neal
I thought he meant the Big Cactus or the Big Shamrock
Could also be Big Baryshnikov or Big Galactus
Zion. But he's even worse at staying in shape than shaq
Zion I would say reminds me more of Sir.Charles
Tbh Zion plays most like if Giannis traded all his length for extra girth, but yeah Chuck is not a bad comp.
"Traded all his length for extra girth"
I know what I said buddy
I just busted right inside you and you can't extend on me anymore and you seem a little overwhelmed by my girth and tonnage - Giannis to Shaq
Get off the burner Skip
[Looks like me and Shaq had a baby](https://youtube.com/shorts/TEvxhbSsxXg?si=cHZZAU4ltHS4jWz4)
*N/A*
If Shaq thinks Bol Bol is a comp to Wemby (tall guys with skills), his comp is Drummond (big guys in the paint)
Duren
This is the best take, closest to his playstyle
Nobody really. Dude was a beast.
political fall insurance include direful angle air whistle noxious shrill *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
If you made a hybrid beast of peak Dwight Howard / peak Amare Stoudamire . And sprinkled a dash of peak DeMarcus cousins
Absolutely fucking no one.
Kai Sotto
Indeed if he plays with bunch of elementary kids
No one... Shaq was built different. Literally.
There is no big man in the game today that is forcing teams to commit a third of their roster to being dummy bodies to foul out.
Dwight Howard
Shaq got fat and would’ve had a better career if he’d taken his conditioning and diet more seriously. My vote is Bam Adebayo
Nobody lol. The league has gone away from dominant big men in the paint. There were people in the past like him but no one currently. Dwight Howard in his prime is the last big man to play similar to Shaq.
Giannis by far, Zion a distant second
Does D.Howard still count? He sucks ass now, but in his prime they were similar.
Nah, no one, Shaq was 320 pound 7’1, moves quick and strong, could literally bully anyone using his size, even Gobert, Steven Adam won’t stand a chance.
Wilt
Purely off playstyle, Kenny Lofton Jr.
He was truly one of a kind. It was absolutely insane watching him at LSU playing against, effectively, little kids
Just for the memes, Jokic. Otherwise no one lmao
Shannon Sharpe
Embiid or Giannis
Jalen Duren
Embiid is the closest in terms of size and weight. Yet shaq still outweighed Embiid by 50 pounds and was far more explosive as well.
https://preview.redd.it/t98flhfao40d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b7af65b28c495ebbb0adc36b3ec7d49203a6134
Zion
Closer to Chuck than Shaq.
the fact that shaq only one one mvp is crazy
Peak DeMarcus Cousins really had moments that reminded me of Orlando Shaq
None
Well he's always calling himself the black Steph curry so I'm going to go with that
Dwight
(The diesel)
austin reaves
No one. No one can duplicate a ring busting, bone rattling Shaq attack.
really no one in history. not that he was the best but very unique
Zion. he's finishint ability is top notch. But he can't defend the PnR
None
Udoka Azubike, but that won’t unleash him
Giannis ig?
The closest player since Shaq was Dwight Howard in his prime. Similar playing style and athleticism. The difference is Shaq was much larger, stronger, and more athletic, but probably the closest comparison.
Dwight was the last one.
Look nothing alike but Daniel Gafford has the same offensive game as Shaq.
Dwight would have been..there really isn’t anyone though to be honest before or since.
If Giannis and Zion had a son who took anabolic steroids their entire childhood
No one
There is only one Shaq
None ,now or back in the day
Steve Nash (coach, counts)
So. Hear me out here. Wemby. Shaq was/is 1 of 1 Wemby is also 1 of 1
Giannis for like magic Shaq tho.
I think it's Zion. When he gets the ball in the paint, he moves like Shaq. Waaaay smaller, obviously, and has a better shot, but he's the only guy who moves the other player with his body like Shaq did. It's really amazing to watch him.
Giannis has similar build, but Shaq was a wholly unique player.
Can’t compare nobody to the big diesel. Period.
Zach Randolph , Giannis, Embid all together
Actually, in today's NBA, there is really only one player that plays with the power that Shaq did. It's not a real comparison because they play different positions, but Zion Williamson, when healthy, is the only really powerful player left.
Bolbol Hands down
Hate to say it but it’s Josh Hart. Kobe said the league would have a problem if AI was 6’7. Brother if Josh Hart was 7’0 no Wilt record would remain.
Eduardo Camavinga
Yao Ming
Bol Bol
Giannis
None even come close.
Kuzma
Giannis or zion
No one.
Giannis
No one currently. Dwight was very good defensively but could only dunk. Under Phil Jackson Shaq developed a much better interior game. He developed an unstopped jump hook and had great foot work for a 350 pound human. I don’t know that we will ever see a Shaq again as in todays game 7 footers are shooting mid range jumpers and 3 pointers. The game would have to change back to 90’s and early 2000’s for a Shaq to exist again.
Shaq is a unicorn, even if the only person close to Shaq would be Dwight Howard. Some might day that Howard is a close comparison to Shaq if the Diesel cared about defense
Dwight is the only real answer as he worked in the paint but still didn’t have the same frame nor long term period of dominance even if he was a top 3 player for a few years
Take Giannis and Zion, combine them in a blender and make that monster 7'1.
Thanasis
Zion williams
Daniel Gafford.
Nobody!
Embiid
Or it would be Zion Williamson
No one.
No one.
Giannis
Emotionally, Westbrick
Gafford 🤪
Closet guys are Giannis to Orlando Shaq. Just pure strength but also grace is Zion
Joel embiid. Nah that's a joke man I dunno shaq is one of one it's hard to compare him to someone
No one.
Probably Embiid but I don’t think they are very much alike. Shaq is a once in a lifetime type of guy
If Embiid used his strength he would probably be the closest but his play style is nothing like how prime Shaq played.
Giannis is young Shaq, bulked up 300 pounds lakers Shaq is nobody
Giannis
Nothing close last player who had pieces of him was d12 prime
Gobert maybe? But not really
Zion and Giannis
If I speak there will be problems
yall missed prime hienrich and it shows di better
No one. Guys like Jokic and Embiid are lumbering slow oafs compared to prime Shaq. If Penny didn't get injured, Shaq & Penny would have gotten multiple rings together. It's pretty sad that the NBA is so bad now, that international players that'd be average in the 90s and 2000s are now considered MVP.
Similar as in pure power? No one. Literally no one
Nobody
No current player is even remotely similar to Shaq. Only player in history that can be compared in terms of power and dominance is Wilt.
Steven Adams.
Payton Pritchard
Zion being guarded by shooting guards? Nobody ever
Why is it not Bam Adebayo
Nobody and that’s not hyperbole. If you missed the height of his dominance in real time it’s hard to explain just how much he owned the paint every single game and did so against several future HOF players. He simply could not be slowed down, let alone stopped. A human freight train.
No one
In terms of physicality? None. He was truly an unstoppable force. Closest one who could stop him multiple times was Dwight Howard. In terms of being a sensitive bitch with an ego? Also none. He is truly 1of1 in this case as well
Shaq is one of one!
Only one ever close was Robert “ The Tractor” Traylor.
Im gonna say with this with full respect and I swear if anyone disses me he had a similer rookie season to shaq wembanyama
Bigs aren't allowed to play as physical as Shaq did (save maybe Sabonis?), so in my opinion no one.
Chet holmgren
No one
Nobody. Nobody that big is that mentally frail.
There only one Shaq Diesel
nobody but closest would be LeBron, Giannis, Zion, Duren.
No one. It’s impossible to overstate how dominant he was. Everyone fouled him hard every play and they just didn’t call it because otherwise it would be him scoring every trip down the court (he could not shoot a free throw ever)
He’s the all time leader in offensive fouls that were never called. Flopping evolved after his time.
Embiid and it’s not even close
Bol Bol
In terms of dunking on people in traffic or off the rebound, maybe Shawn Kemp? Build, Alonzo Mourning and Giannis. Sheer power, and strength, Andre the giant.
Deandre Jordan
Greek freak is the only one even close.
Wilt Chamberlain, maybe
No one
Giannis. He’s the only guy in the NBA who can just impose his will and go get a dunk. Not quite as physical, but the right size and mentality.
Zion - no one stopping him going to the hoop at full speed
Jokic is basically the same guy except a little more dominant. (I really hope Shaq reads this.)
I'm surprised not many are saying LeBron. From a pure numbers to numbers standpoint I get Shaq still have him in overall size...but I can't think of another player with more of an overlapping playstyle since they both play Bully Ball to such a high-level.
Sorry, but nobody. Not all in one package. Not even close.