Hall of Famer Phil Jackson compared two big man who are popularly known within the Los Angeles Lakers franchise; Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. Jackson coached O'Neal in his days with the Lakers, but also played against Chamberlain and sometimes even drew the assignment of guarding against him.
Jackson made the comparison Wednesday night in Glendale at the Alex Theatre as his "Live Talks Los Angeles" event according to the Los Angeles Times.
"Shaquille didn't have quite the same athleticism that Wilt had," Jackson said. "He had the bounce and he had the speed, but he didn't have the endurance."
In his latest book "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success," Jackson spoke on how he challenged O'Neal in their first season together in 1999-2000 to get into better basketball shape and improve his endurance, all while using Chamberlain's 1961-62 season when he averaged 48.5 minutes a game as motivation.
Besides the speed to O'Neal's advantage, Jackson also said O'Neal was faster down the court, especially getting to the block whereas Chamberlain took a much slower path.
They both had moves that the other did not, according to Phil.
"Shaq had a jump hook whereas Wilt didn't have a jump hook, he had an array of shots, he had a hook, a finger roll and a turnaround jump shot," Chamberlain led the league in assists one year."
Though he pointed out their differences, Jackson noted that each had one fundamental flaw in their games-free throw shooting.
"Even then, at that time, you fouled Wilt if he was underneath the lane."
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