Shaq Through the Years: Celebrating the Big 5-0

The Big Aristotle, The Diesel, Superman—the list of Shaq’s nicknames goes on. And so do the memories during a Hall of Fame career as we look back on his birthday milestone.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 5, 2022

Happy Birthday, Shaq!

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00001 — Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

As The Diesel turns 50 on March 6, SI looks back at his Hall of Fame career.

Big Man on Campus

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00003 — Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Playing under the tutelage of coach Dale Brown at LSU, Shaquille O'Neal became a two-time All-American, two-time SEC Player of the Year and the AP College Player of the Year in 1991.

Eyes on the Prize

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00002 — Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Shaq played three seasons at LSU, averaging 21.6 PPG, 13.5 RPG and 4.6 BPG. In 1992, the Orlando Magic made him the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Magic Touch

005073470 — Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Shaq won Rookie of the Year in 1993 and led Orlando to its first playoff appearance in franchise history a year later in ’94.

Rising in the East

shaq panel copy — John Biever/Sports Illustrated

Shaq and Penny Hardaway took the league by storm in 1995, advancing to the NBA Finals—but losing to the Rockets, 4–0—in their second season together in Orlando.

Los Angeles Bound

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00004 — Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

After four seasons in Orlando, Shaq shook up the league by signing with the Lakers as a free agent in 1996.

Land of Giants

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00012 — Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated

Shaq followed in the footsteps of Lakers legends George Mikan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—big men who led the franchise to multiple championships.

Olympic Gold

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00007 — Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Left off the Dream Team in 1992, O’Neal won gold as part of Team USA men's basketball team in the summer of ’96 in Atlanta.

Living Large

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00015 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated (left); V.J. Lovero/Sports Illustrated

Shaq’s larger-than-life personality made him stand out on and off the court in L.A.

Shaq Attack

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00017 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

In 2000, Shaq helped the Lakers overcome a 3–1 deficit to beat the Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals en route to his first NBA title.

Finals Force

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00005 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Against the Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals, O’Neal led the Lakers to their first championship in 12 years and earned Finals MVP, averaging 38 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks in six games.

Collision Course

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00013 — Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated

Two of the best big men of their era, Shaq and San Antonio’s Tim Duncan had many memorable battles in the West.

Purple Reign

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00025 — John Biever/Sports Illustrated

Shaq and the Lakers repeated as champions in 2001, beating the 76ers in five games to punctuate a dominant postseason run. Shaq took home Finals MVP honors again, averaging 33 points, 15.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Two Legit

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00026 — David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated (left); John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Shaq and Kobe had their ups and downs, but ultimately won three rings together as one of the best duos in NBA history.

Seventh Heaven

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00014 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Shaq and the Lakers eliminated the Kings in Game 7 of the 2002 Western Conference finals to advance to their third straight Finals, where they would beat the New Jersey Nets.

Game Changer

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00018 — Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Shaq’s physical style of play changed the game of basketball.

Shaqtin’ Silly

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00020 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Shaq never missed an opportunity to share some laughs with teammates.

Welcome to Miami

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00009 — Michael O’Neill/Sports Illustrated (left); John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

After a bitter divorce in L.A., Shaq joined Dwyane Wade and the Heat via a 2004 trade. He promised Heat fans a championship and delivered in less than two years.

Heat History

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00010 — Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated

O’Neal helped lead Miami to its first NBA title, averaging a double double with 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds during the 2006 Finals. It was O’Neal’s fourth and final championship.

Center of Attention

SI_Shaq_50th_Birthday_00022 — John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

O’Neal earned 15 All-Star appearances over 19 seasons and won three All-Star Game MVPs, including a co-MVP award that he shared with Kobe Bryant at the 2009 All-Star Game in Phoenix.