So in your mind Shaq is a good example of an under achiever?

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I think everyone in the sports world would agree.

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I bet you couldn't get 50% of current or past NBA players to say that. That's not everyone.

Played 1,207 gms and averaged 23.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, & 2.3 bpg

Numbers up there with Malone, Jabbar, Robinson, Ewing & Olajuwon. Were you expecting Russell and Chamberlain numbers or something? All he would have needed was a time machine.

I'd understand if you said Derrick Coleman, Vin Baker, Glenn Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, or someone like that. Shaq? Don't blame him for your ridiculous expectations.

Shaq himself would tell you that he was an underachiever. If he had just dedicated himself to improving his free throws, his career would have been even more impressive.

PooDoo, I don't know why this is so hard for you to wrap your mind around. Shaq's numbers are exactly WHY I have higher expectations for him. It was obvious he didn't take the best care of his body and as mentioned, didn't exactly hone his FT shooting skills.

I think it's pretty well known in basketball that Shaq was willing to use his God given talent and was not the most motivated person. He had off the court interests, and that is fine. He played the game on his terms and had a HOF career.

As impressive as it was, I'm saying it could've been better. Sorry if that just blows your mind.

I agree on Shaq. Great player who never had the drive of a Jordan, Kobe, Magic, or Bird to be the best.

And nobody would deny Shaq's ability but analysts always bring up Shaq's lack of motivation when it comes to ranking him amongst the best centers of all time as a knock against him.

Shaquille O'Neal could have been the greatest player of all-time if he put in the effort.

But back to the point you were trying to make:

What does Vince Carter's unfulfilled potential have to do with his having performed the greatest dunk of all-time? Career expectations, overall numbers, longevity, etc. have nothing to do with how an individual play is regarded.

David Tyree's catch is no less spectacular even though he's out of the NFL.

Marshawn Lynch (last season not withstanding) has devolved into an average running back. Doesn't mean his run against New Orleans isn't one of the greatest playoff runs ever.

Chris Benoit killed his whole family. Still one of the best technical professional wrestlers ever.

Yeah, Vince Carter became Half-Man/Half a Season, but that dunk, though. That dunk, though...

Oh, no, I totally agree, the dunk is awesome. I just see a play like that and it reminds me of how much athleticism the guy had.

I'm not trying to take anything away from the dunk. I just hate to see guys who can pull something like that off not have the desire to do it on a nightly basis.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DSN1KnAW-Y

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most of you are too young to remember how awesome a fit Shaq was- he could have been phenomenal, but he chose the LA life instead

Skinny Shaq was a freak of nature

Kenyon Martin to sign with the Clips. Good pick up for them. Will solidify their big rotation and add another recipient to the lob.

I'm sorry, but nothing will ever top that Vince dunk. That is a complete facial.

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Were you expecting Russell and Chamberlain numbers or something?

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Yes, Shaq was a freak with soft touch..... he got fat. The guy had something like a 35" vertical..... that is close to what Griffin did at the combine.

PS. DJ has a higher reach than Shaq and is 3-4" shorter! DJs vertical is actually pretty weak.

The Carter dunk is obviously cool, but I'm spoiled on it because he uses his left hand to push-off on the guy's shoulder/head. Should've been a foul.

DJ can get his head up pretty close to the rim. I know his vertical as measured wasn't great, but he seems to get up fine when I've watched him... ex: 2:03 of this video, or this one. Most of the posterizations he hands out are courtesy of a quick, short hop and the freakish arms though.

DJ's length and ability jump quickly is what makes his dunks look great.

Some dunkers are good because they have incredible jumping ability but lack body control and/or length. They just fly through the air. These are the ones that are more likely to posterize people. Examples are Nate Robinson, LeBron James, Gerald Wallace, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, etc.

Some dunkers are good because they have incredible body control and length. They're more likely to reverse, 360, up-and-under, etc. Dwyane Wade, DeAndre Jordan, Amare Stoudemire, JaVale McGee, young Tracy McGrady, etc.

Then there are the ones that combine both. Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dominique, Jason Richardson, and of course Vince Carter. Vince Carter probably had combination of jumping ability and control/precision of anyone I've ever seen. You never see him out of control in the air (like Blake Griffin). Vince Carter was a video game.

This is the reason why LeBron James will never enter a dunk contest. He's a power dunker. He doesn't have the control to make a 360 look the way Vince Carter's 360's look. Or make a between-the-legs dunk look as clean as Jason Richardson or Desmond Mason. LeBron is a great in-game dunker. Was probably the best in-game dunker for a while until Blake came along.

Just go back and watch LeBron's McDonald's contest. He was pretty robotic, but still won due to name recognition. Shannon Brown got robbed.