Shaquille O'Neal: FMVP Legend

Shaquille O'Neal's NBA story began with the Orlando Magic. Drafted No. 1 in 1992, he quickly made the whole league realize an unprecedented interior monster had arrived.

As a rookie, Shaq averaged 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds, easily winning Rookie of the Year. His physical gifts were already obvious — 2.16 meters, over a hundred kilos, yet agile and explosive, dunking with wrecking-ball force. The Magic went from weakling to Eastern power almost overnight, with Shaq as the engine.

In 1995, a third-year Shaq led Orlando to the Finals against Hakeem Olajuwon's Houston Rockets. It was a dialogue between "talented center" and "technical center"; the Rockets swept 4-0, and the young Shaq was schooled by the old master's footwork, fakes andrhythm. The loss was one of the few times Shaq was fully contained, and became the catalyst for him to add skill and mature.

Though ringless, the 1995 Finals were profound: they proved Shaq was already a top interior force, needing only experience and polish. Sure enough, after leaving for the Lakers and Phil Jackson's system, he transformed within years and grabbed the long-awaited title.

The Magic years were Shaq's "talent phase" — no championship, but full of potential and edge. That blue-and-white young team gave Orlando its first taste of the Finals and let the league preview early: a big man called Shaq would rule the league.

Related Reading

• 2001 NBA Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)
• 2002 NBA Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Shaquille O'Neal: Glory and Idol— When the Strongest Giant Became the Most Likable Symbol
• Shaquille O'Neal: Hard Work and Role Model— The Weight of a Giant, Carried by Himself
• 2000 NBA Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)