Shaquille O’Neal is widely regarded as the most dominant player in NBA history. There were very few players who could guard him, especially inside the paint. So posterizing Shaq with a dunk was pretty much impossible. However, a select few NBA stars managed to pull off the impossible feat.
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During an interview with Ahmad Rashad for NBA Rewind, Shaq named the three players who had dunked on him during his 22 years playing in the league.
The Diesel was a force to be reckoned with in his prime, simply because of his size and surprisingly nimble feet, which ultimately made him one of the league’s greatest centers. Most of the time, the Big Man was either breaking backboards or blocking crucial shots of opponents in games.
However, he got dunked on by three NBA players as well in his career. In his prolonged career in the league, only Michael Jordan, Derrick Coleman, and Tim Perry have been able to dunk on him.
“In 20 years, I only got dunked on three times. Derrick Coleman, Michael Jordan, and Tim Perry,” Shaq told Rashad.
In fact, Coleman posterizing the Diesel made him play hard against the New Jersey Nets always. All this lead to Shaq breaking their rim once with a powerful dunk.
It’s really astounding how Shaq still remembers these moments in detail. This is because the Big Aristotle took immense pride in not getting dunked on.
Ahmad Rashad was a bit surprised that Shaq was dunked on by Tim Perry, especially from the baseline. He kept saying that a fastbreak dunk is much more believable. In response, the big man admitted how he was little lazy going up for a block, which led to Perry dunking on him from the baseline.
However, when Kobe Bryant claimed that he could dunk on Shaq, the Diesel vehemently rejected the claim and seemed quite flustered by Kobe’s bold declaration.
Shaquille O’Neal dismissed Kobe Bryant’s claim of dunking on him
Shaquille O’Neal knew his capabilities and limitations well. So when anybody made outlandish claims against his craft, the Big Diesel was not willing to let them slide. In his 2001 book, Shaq Talks Back, the Diesel said,
“Now, today, I’ve made it. I am somebody. And every now and then in practice, Kobe Bryant will tell me, ‘If I was 6’10”, I would dunk on you.’ I’ve heard this my whole life, guys saying if they were taller, if I was shorter. I always answer, “No, you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t do nothing.” I worked hard to become the MVP of the league.”
Even if Kobe were 6’10” hypothetically, Shaq believed his skills and capabilities were potent enough to stop the Mamba from going up against him.
