sporTSNumbers

Sporting News, The, August 2, 1999

Big time

No one doubts Shaquille O'Neal and Lisa Leslie are top players in their respective leagues, but individual stats mean only so much, especially in Los Angeles. O'Neal would rather forget the Lakers' recent trips to the playoffs--they've ended with sweeps the past two seasons--and Leslie has yet to lead the Sparks to the postseason. Something has to change. L.A. won't be satisfied with great players on average teams for much longer.

                       SHAQUILLE O'NEAL

          FG %          Rebounds     Blocks        Points
Season    (rank)        per game     per game      per game

1997-98   .584 (1st)    11.4 (*)     2.4 (8th)     28.3 (2nd)
1998-99   .576 (1st)    10.7 (7th)   1.67 (14th)   26.3 (2nd)

                          LISA LESLIE

1998      .478(9th)     10.2(1st)    2.14(2nd)     19.6(3rd)
1999(#)   .462 (13th)   8.2 (4th)    1.47 (5th)    16.4 (8th)

Season    Team's finish

1997-98   61-21; swept by Jazz
          in conference finals.
1998-99   31-19; swept by Spurs
          in conference semifinals.

1998      12-18; didn't make playoffs.
1999(#)   11-6, 3rd in Western Conference.

(*) Did not qualify for rebounding title; (#) Through July 21.3