Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal are legends of the sport. They still are arguably the best “big men” the league has ever seen. And Kareem remains one of the greatest players to ever play the sport. His total regular-season points record (38,387 points) has still not been broken after thirty years. While Big Shaq is still considered one of the most dominant players to ever play in the NBA.

His size and athleticism made for a frightening sight. Both were dangerous at the low post. But how good were they shooting from beyond the three-point line? It’s a question not oft-asked because of how basketball has changed since the 70s and the 90s.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar attempted only 18 three-point shots during the regular season and four during the playoffs. Out of that, he only got one in the 1986-87 season. Meanwhile, O’Neal attempted 22 three-pointers during the regular season and zero during the playoffs. He, too, only has one successful three-point shot in his entire career. So what could be the reason for this?

Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul Jabbar are traditional big man centres

Big men were not expected to shoot threes in their times. At his height, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the skyhook which he did not shoot from beyond the three-point line. Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, didn’t develop a three-point shot because there was no need for it.

Michael Jordan Made 3 NBA Legends Hang Their Heads in Shame With Rude 2 Word Insult as Scottie Pippen Watched

The modern game, nowadays, requires you to have a decent three-point shot. Current “bigs” like Al Horford and Joel Embiid have good range, in regards to their shots. Kareem recently talked about this on Jimmy Fallon’s show. He said, “I am still the all-time leading scorer in the NBA, and I only made one three-point shot.”.

Trending

Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series

April 17, 2024 06:48 PM EDT

Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract

April 16, 2024 05:20 PM EDT

Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?

April 13, 2024 06:21 PM EDT

Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer

March 16, 2024 06:41 PM EDT

7’4 Victor Wembanyama, Accused of Disrespecting Knicks Star, Gets MVP Shout-Out From Unbothered Jalen Brunson

April 19, 2024 02:58 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

His statement is technically true, but it has much to do with the three-point shot only being allowed in the NBA from 1979, which was Kareem’s tenth year. To his credit, getting the number of points he did without the three-point line is commendable.

LeBron James, who probably is going to break the record next season, played in a time when the three-point rule had already settled in.

WATCH THIS STORY:  How Old Is Warriors Superstar Stephen Currys Son Canon?

Therefore, there can’t be any winners because the roles of centers were much different during Kareem and Shaq’s eras. The three-point shot was considered a risk and big men previously didn’t attempt it at all. The innovation of the three-point shot has certainly changed the game forever.