How Many Threes Did Shaq Score- A Deep Dive into the Legend’s Scoring Power
How many threes did Shaq make? This question often comes up when discussing the legendary career of Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant basketball players of all time. Known for his incredible size, strength, and scoring ability, Shaq’s impact on the game cannot be overstated. Throughout his illustrious career, he was known for his ability to score at will, and his three-point shooting was a significant part of his offensive repertoire.
Shaq’s three-point shooting began to emerge as a key component of his game in the later years of his career. Although he was not initially known as a shooter, his size and athleticism allowed him to develop a deadly mid-range game, and as his career progressed, he began to add the three-point shot to his arsenal. In fact, Shaq’s three-point shooting improved significantly as he aged, and he became one of the most accurate big men in the league from beyond the arc.
During his 20-year NBA career, Shaq made a total of 1,281 three-pointers. This impressive total is even more remarkable when considering the fact that he was a towering 7 feet 1 inch tall and played the center position, which is traditionally not known for its three-point prowess. Shaq’s ability to consistently hit threes from such a distance was a testament to his skill, determination, and work ethic.
One of the most memorable moments of Shaq’s three-point shooting came during the 2000 NBA Finals, when he drained a trio of threes in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers. This performance was a turning point in the series, as it helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure a victory and eventually win the championship. That game alone accounted for a significant portion of Shaq’s 1,281 threes.
While Shaq’s three-point shooting may not have been the focal point of his career, it was an essential part of his game that allowed him to remain a dominant force in the NBA well into his thirties. His ability to score from the perimeter made him even more versatile and difficult to defend, as he could score in a variety of ways. How many threes did Shaq make? The answer is 1,281, but it’s the impact of those threes on his teams and the NBA that truly defines his legacy.
