Karl Malone vs Shaquille O'Neal
Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 12 seasons. On the floor, Karl Malone was the higher-volume scorer (25.0 points per game to 23.7); Shaquille O'Neal was the more efficient scorer (58.6% true shooting to 57.7%); Karl Malone created more for others (3.6 assists per game to 2.5). Shaquille O'Neal holds the edge on accolades — 1 MVP, 4 championships, 3 Finals MVPs and the #9 all-time ranking to Karl Malone's #14.
Career averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Shaquille O'Neal |
|---|---|---|
| 25.0 | Points / game | 23.7 |
| 10.1 | Rebounds / game | 10.8 |
| 3.6 | Assists / game | 2.5 |
| 1.4 | Steals / game | 0.6 |
| 0.8 | Blocks / game | 2.3 |
| 51.4% | Field goal % | 58.5% |
| 21.1% | 3-point % | 2.2% |
| 73.3% | Free throw % | 52.6% |
| 57.7% | True shooting % | 58.6% |
| 1,476 | Games played | 1,207 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Karl Malone.
Advanced stats aren't available for Shaquille O'Neal.
Playoff averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Shaquille O'Neal |
|---|---|---|
| 24.7 | Points / game | 24.3 |
| 10.7 | Rebounds / game | 11.6 |
| 3.2 | Assists / game | 2.7 |
| 1.3 | Steals / game | 0.6 |
| 0.7 | Blocks / game | 2.1 |
| 46.2% | Field goal % | 56.3% |
| 13.7% | 3-point % | 0.0% |
| 72.7% | Free throw % | 49.8% |
| 193 | Playoff games | 216 |
Accolades
| Karl Malone | Stat | Shaquille O'Neal |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MVP awards | 1 |
| 0 | Finals MVP | 3 |
| 0 | Championships | 4 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 12 |
| 11 | All-NBA 1st Team | 8 |
| #14 | All-time GOAT rank | #9 |
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