Shaquille O’Neal, one of the NBA’s legendary figures, once disclosed candidly about a moment that would have etched his name into basketball history. In the 1999-2000 season, the dominant Lakers center was a single vote away from becoming the first-ever unanimous MVP of the NBA. This was later achieved by Golden State Warriors star, Stephen Curry.
The Los Angeles Lakers, powerful Shaq-Kobe duo, dominated the season with an impressive 67-15 record, the best in the league. O’Neal, in particular, averaged 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Seeing these numbers there was high anticipation that O’Neal would be the first-ever unanimous MVP.
Years later, in an interview, O’Neal expressed his dissatisfaction stating, “I played 79 games, MVP by far. I actually would have made history but some idiot in Atlanta – I wish I could say his name, because I would call him an idiot to his face – he messed up history. I would have been the first-ever unanimous decision MVP, but this idiot – Forgot his name. Yeah, Fred Hickman. Idiot. – gives two votes to Allen Iverson and he messes up history. Idiot.”
Fred Hickman, a reporter from Atlanta, who chose Allen Iverson over O’Neal for the MVP. That season Iverson led his Philadelphia 76ers to a fifth-place finish in the East. However, compared to the dominance shown by O’Neal and the Lakers, this vote came as a shock to many.
Shaquille O’Neal won the MVP award once in his career
Despite his unquestionable ability and influence on the court, Shaquille O’Neal secured the MVP title just once throughout his outstanding career. This accolade came during the above-mentioned 1999-2000 season, his fourth year with the LA Lakers. However, the lack of multiple MVP titles doesn’t define him as a player.
O’Neal has reached eight top-five MVP finishes in his career. Among these, he finished in the top three five times and in the top ten 13 times. There were a few seasons where O’Neal was very close to securing more MVP titles.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Monster 1999-00 Season (IA):
⇨ 29.4 points/75
⇨ 13.5 rebounds/75 (4.2 orb.)
⇨ 4.2 assists/75
⇨ 3.5 stocks/75
⇨ +5.5 rTS% (111 TS+)
⇨ Core engine of an offense that produced a +3.2 rORtg (top 5 itl)
⇨ Led a 67-win team (1 vote from unanimous MVP) pic.twitter.com/HQPW3bR32e— 𝗕𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘🚨 (@bmoretalks_ball) October 1, 2022
In the 1994-95 season, while playing for the Orlando Magic, a young O’Neal finished second to David Robinson for the MVP award. With an average of 29.3 points per game that season, O’Neal’s contribution was undeniable as the Magic reached to the 1995 NBA Finals.
A decade later, during the 2004-05 season, O’Neal found himself in another close MVP race. He narrowly lost to Steve Nash while playing for the Miami Heat. Nash received 65 first-place votes against O’Neal’s 58.
Regardless of missed MVP possibilities, O’Neal’s NBA career is legendary. With a championship win, an All-Star Game MVP award, and a Finals MVP award all in the 1999-2000 season, O’Neal’s place among basketball’s greats is unquestionable.