The Big Fella

Shaquille O’Neal seemingly has it all: a $120-million Los Angeles Lakers contract complete with movie and rap music career on the side. This season he added a NBA scoring title and most- valuable-player award to his long list of basketball achievements. Tonight, Shaq seeks the final missing piece: a championship ring. What makes the Laker center the most dominant player in the game today:

Breaking Down the Shaq Attack

Opposing teams realize stopping O’Neal is impossible, hoping instead to merely minimize his impact. What makes Shaq great:

Point-Blank Range

Like most big men, O’Neal likes to shoot close to the basket-usually within 10 feet of the rim. His favorite shooting areas:

Under the Basket: 35%

In the Lane: 15%

Left Post: 30%

Right Post: 20%

Basic Shaq

O’Neal has perfected the post-up drop-step power move to the basket.

Laying Bricks

Free throws have haunted Shaq his entire career, but when he puts more arc on the shot, he can get on a roll.

Big Shoes to Fill

O’Neal ended his Reebok endorsement deal in 1998 to develop his own line of basketball shoes, sold on the Internet. Go ahead, step inside Shaq’s shoe.

How Shaq Stacks Up

Comparing O’Neal to other legendary Laker centers:

Shaquille O’Neal

Height: 7’1”

Weight: 315 lbs.

Career: 1992-present

Points (Avg): 27.5

Rebounds (Avg): 12.4

Assists (Avg): 2.7

Free Throws (%): .534

MVP Awards: 1

Championships: 0

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Wilt Chamberlain

Height: 7’1”

Weight: 275 lbs.

Career: 1959-73

Points (Avg): 30.1

Rebounds (Avg): 22.9

Assists (Avg): 4.4

Free Throws (%): .551

MVP Awards: 4

Championships: 2

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Height: 7’2”

Weight: 267 lbs.

Career: 1969-1989

Points (Avg): 24.6

Rebounds (Avg): 11.2

Assists (Avg): 3.6

Free Throws (%): .721

MVP Awards: 6

Championships: 6

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George Mikan

Height: 6’10”

Weight: 245 lbs.

Career: 1946-56

Points (Avg): 22.6

Rebounds (Avg): 13.4

Assists (Avg): 2.7

Free Throws (%): .777

MVP Awards: N/A

Championships: 4

Note: MVP not awarded before 1955

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Sources: Los Angeles Lakers; NBA; Wendy Border, Management Plus Enterprises; National Center for Health Statistics; www.dunk.net; www.shaq.com; Times archives

Graphics reporting by BRADY MacDONALD / Los Angeles Times