Shaq was the #1 pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He came from LSU at the age of 20 and made his way to the Orlando Magic. He spent 4 seasons in Orlando where he established himself as the best center in the NBA with his multiple dominant performances and accolades. However, his success could have been predicted from his first season alone in the NBA.
Shaq is one of the few players in NBA history that started in the All-star game in his rookie season and finished 7th in MVP voting. He also won the ROTY award with no real competition. He also helped his Orlando Magic team jump 20 wins in one season since his arrival. However, one accolade that trumps them all is one that also goes easily under the radar.
Shaq made headlines in just his debut week
Shaq scored just 12 points in his debut game. A subpar level score for a player of his caliber. However, in the next 4 games, Shaq scored 22, 35, 31, and 29 points respectively. At the end of the first week of the 1992-93 NBA season, he was averaging 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. His tenacity on the boards and his defensive mindset were on a showcase that week. Those are numbers that even MVP-level players can’t average in a week, but a rookie Shaq did.
Shaq also won 3 out 5 games in that week which was a way higher % than the Magic were accustomed to.
This stat line was far and above everything in the league and the NBA had to award Shaq the Eastern Conference player of the week in the first week of the 1992 NBA season and the first week of his career.
OTD (92) The Orlando Magic selected @Shaq with the #1 pick. He was 301 lbs with 10% body fat & a 36-inch vert when he made his NBA debut!
Won Player of the Week his 1st week in the league, started in the All-Star game, won Rookie Of The Year (96 of 98 votes) & 7th in MVP voting pic.twitter.com/lg08AZIDKP
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 24, 2020
This feat is one we cannot imagine current rookies being able to do. We usually see rookies struggle in the transition from college to the NBA. It takes some rookies a couple of seasons before they can put up all-star numbers. That’s why Shaq’s greatness is one that we could all see just 5 games into his rookie campaign.