Shaquille O'Neal vs. Wilt Chamberlain: both are the premier centers of their eras, but when they face off against each other, it's no contest

Basketball Digest, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Rick Barry

I watched O'Neal in Game 4 of this year's NBA Finals. He was awesome. He played with energy, enthusiasm, power and a give-me-the-ball-I'll-carry-this-team mentality. Why doesn't he play that way every night? He is certainly capable of dominating any other center in the league. Why, then, has a Yao Miug or even an Eddie Curry been able to neutralize him on occasion? Chamberlain would never let himself be dominated by a lesser player, not for one minute.

Chamberlain was also knocked for lacking killer instinct and the fact that he wasn't a winner. Baloney. This assessment had little to do with his attitude, and more to do with the fact that his career was measured against Bill Russell's. Eleven rifles vs. two is one argument Wilt could never win, but he never had the personnel surrounding him that Russell enjoyed. Remember, it is Wills 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers who are most often cited as the greatest team in NBA history. Had Writ been surrounded with Russell's level of personnel throughout his career, the marks fortifies would be rewritten.

I was probably one of Shaq's most outspoken critics when his name was placed on the list of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. At the time, he had only been in the league a few years and I didn't feel as though he had proven himself worthy of a spot among the game's greatest. Since then, I am pleased to say that there is no doubt that Shaq deserves to be included in that prestigious group. He has shown that he is a dominant inside force who can win championships, and if I were playing today I would definitely want him as a teammate. Now if he would just work on his free throw shooting!

Rick's Scorecard

O'NEAL                        CATEGORY                    CHAMBERLAIN

9                        Inside Offense (10)                       10
      Both are among the most unstoppable forces ever to play.
5                       Outside Offense (10)                        7
            Wilt's extended range gives him an advantage.
2                     Free-Throw Shooting (10)                      2
        When they launch it up from the line, look out below.
12                        Team Defense (15)                        14
      Chamberlain's mobility makes him a better help defender.
12                     Individual Defense (15)                     14
         Desire is the main difference between players here.
8                    Ball-Handling/Passing (10)                     9
             Two of the best ball-handling big men ever.
8                     Defensive rebounding (10)                    10
      Wilt was one of the best rebounders ever to play the game.
9                     Offensive Rebounding (10)                    10
              You'd better box both of these guys out.
9                         Intangibles (10)                         10
        Wilt accomplish much more--against better opponents.
74                              TOTAL                              86

O'Neal and Chamberlain are rated relative to other NBA players,
with the maximum score in parenthesis.