June 20
When I'm on the road, lots of people ask me an interesting question: How good is Shaq?

	Shaq has flexed his muscles in the Lakers' back-to-back title runs, but could he strongarm Wilt?

Now that O'Neal has helped the Lakers to a second straight NBA championship, I'm sure the question will be modified to ask where he ranks among the all-time big men.

I've been around the game for a long time now. I coached 25 years -- in high school, college and the NBA. I've been in television now for over two decades. I've seen a lot of basketball and many players. Let me tell you what separates Shaq from most of the big guys who played the game. He has the agility, footwork and quickness to dominate inside. Shaq also has the awesome strength for a powerful inside game.

To me, when it's all said and done, he will be thought of as the greatest center ever to play the game. It is hard for me to believe that I would say that, considering some of the complete centers who starred in this game.

I think about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, three great ones. Jabbar passed and scored well, blocked shots and rebounded, though he is nowhere near the tenacious rebounder that Mr. O'Neal is. Jabbar sustained it for so many years.

There is a question about whether Shaq will sustain this and take it to the highest level for another five years. If he matches what he has done now, continuing to grow at that rate, and improves a bit on the foul line, I feel he will be the top big man of all time.

That's pretty good company: Abdul-Jabbar, Russell, Chamberlain and Shaq.

O'Neal excels on the defensive end as a shot blocker. He can intimidate and he is a true warrior on the glass. Once he establishes post position on the offensive end, down in the low blocks, he is unstoppable. He is so strong, and his array of power dunks can humiliate the opposition.

When it's all said and done, Shaq will be thought of as the greatest center ever to play the game.

Some people talk about his inability to hit a 12-foot jump shot. I argue that when you can shoot the highest-percentage shot, the slam-bam-jam dunk, you don't have to worry that much about your shooting touch from outside.

He averaged 34 points and 17 rebounds per game in the NBA Finals. That speaks volumes about performing in crunch time.

I love that Shaq has that little kid in him, bouncing around and having fun. He's lovable. I remember seeing him at the McDonald's High School All-American game. He dazzled me, and I went bananas when he went coast-to-coast, behind the back, between his legs on one move.

I jumped out of my seat as he made like the Magic man. He was dominant at LSU, when he met up against so many zones, double- and triple-teaming.

In the NBA, he has taken it to a different level. Inside, one-on-one, he is unstoppable. Nobody can play him head-to-head. His mere presence also makes his teammates better since opponents have to use two or three men to try to stop Shaq.

O'Neal can take it to the rack. He is awesome with a capital A, baby!