Contemporaries · overlapped 8 seasons
Shaquille O'Neal vs LeBron James
Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 8 seasons. On the floor, LeBron James was the higher-volume scorer (26.8 points per game to 23.7); LeBron James was the more efficient scorer (60.8% true shooting to 58.6%); LeBron James created more for others (7.4 assists per game to 2.5). LeBron James holds the edge on accolades — 4 MVPs, 4 championships, 4 Finals MVPs and the #3 all-time ranking to Shaquille O'Neal's #9.
Career averages
| Shaquille O'Neal | Stat | LeBron James |
|---|
| 23.7 |
Points / game |
26.8 |
| 10.8 |
Rebounds / game |
7.4 |
| 2.5 |
Assists / game |
7.4 |
| 0.6 |
Steals / game |
1.5 |
| 2.3 |
Blocks / game |
0.7 |
| 58.5% |
Field goal % |
50.8% |
| 2.2% |
3-point % |
34.7% |
| 52.6% |
Free throw % |
73.7% |
| 58.6% |
True shooting % |
60.8% |
| 1,207 |
Games played |
1,622 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Shaquille O'Neal.
| Shaquille O'Neal | Stat | LeBron James |
|---|
| — |
Offensive rating |
113.8 |
| — |
Defensive rating |
107.9 |
| — |
Net rating |
5.9 |
| — |
Usage % |
27.2% |
| — |
Assist % |
34.1% |
| — |
Rebound % |
10.7% |
Playoff averages
| Shaquille O'Neal | Stat | LeBron James |
|---|
| 24.3 |
Points / game |
28.4 |
| 11.6 |
Rebounds / game |
9.0 |
| 2.7 |
Assists / game |
7.2 |
| 0.6 |
Steals / game |
1.7 |
| 2.1 |
Blocks / game |
1.0 |
| 56.3% |
Field goal % |
49.8% |
| 0.0% |
3-point % |
33.2% |
| 49.8% |
Free throw % |
73.8% |
| 216 |
Playoff games |
292 |
Accolades
| Shaquille O'Neal | Stat | LeBron James |
|---|
| 1 |
MVP awards |
4 |
| 3 |
Finals MVP |
4 |
| 4 |
Championships |
4 |
| 12 |
All-Star selections |
21 |
| 8 |
All-NBA 1st Team |
13 |
| #9 |
All-time GOAT rank |
#3 |
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