Larry Bird vs. Shaquille O'Neal Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal and Larry Bird that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Larry Bird:
1979-80 to 1991-92
Shaquille O'Neal:
1992-93 to 2010-11

NBA Championships and Seasons

Larry Bird3
Shaquille O'Neal4
Larry Bird13
Shaquille O'Neal19
Larry Bird12
Shaquille O'Neal17
Larry Bird12
Shaquille O'Neal15

Honors and Awards

Larry Bird3
Shaquille O'Neal1
Larry Bird2
Shaquille O'Neal3
Larry Bird9
Shaquille O'Neal8
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Larry Bird10
Shaquille O'Neal14
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Larry Bird3
Shaquille O'Neal3
Larry Bird0
Shaquille O'Neal2
Larry Bird1
Shaquille O'Neal1

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Larry Bird 24.3
Shaquille O'Neal 23.7

Larry Bird 10.0
Shaquille O'Neal 10.9

Larry Bird 6.3
Shaquille O'Neal 2.5

Larry Bird 1.7
Shaquille O'Neal 0.6

Larry Bird 0.8
Shaquille O'Neal 2.3

Totals Stats

Larry Bird 21,791
Shaquille O'Neal 28,596

Larry Bird 8,974
Shaquille O'Neal 13,099

Larry Bird 5,695
Shaquille O'Neal 3,026

Larry Bird 1,556
Shaquille O'Neal 739

Larry Bird 755
Shaquille O'Neal 2,732

Larry Bird 897
Shaquille O'Neal 1,207

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird .496
Shaquille O'Neal .582

3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird .376
Shaquille O'Neal .045

Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird .886
Shaquille O'Neal .527

Best Season (no game minimum)

Larry Bird 29.9
(1988)
Shaquille O'Neal 29.7
(2000)

Larry Bird 11.0
(1983)
Shaquille O'Neal 13.9
(1993)

Larry Bird 7.6
(1987)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.8
(2000)

Larry Bird 2.0
(1986)
Shaquille O'Neal 0.9
(1994)

Larry Bird 1.2
(1985)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.5
(1993)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Larry Bird 23.8
Shaquille O'Neal 24.3

Larry Bird 10.3
Shaquille O'Neal 11.6

Larry Bird 6.5
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7

Larry Bird 1.8
Shaquille O'Neal 0.5

Larry Bird 0.9
Shaquille O'Neal 2.1

Totals Stats

Larry Bird 3,897
Shaquille O'Neal 5,250

Larry Bird 1,683
Shaquille O'Neal 2,508

Larry Bird 1,062
Shaquille O'Neal 582

Larry Bird 296
Shaquille O'Neal 117

Larry Bird 145
Shaquille O'Neal 459

Larry Bird 164
Shaquille O'Neal 216

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird .472
Shaquille O'Neal .563

3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird .321
Shaquille O'Neal -

Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird .890
Shaquille O'Neal .504

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Larry Bird 27.5
(1984)
Shaquille O'Neal 30.7
(2000)

Larry Bird 14.0
(1981)
Shaquille O'Neal 15.4
(2001)

Larry Bird 8.8
(1990)
Shaquille O'Neal 4.6
(1996)

Larry Bird 2.3
(1984)
Shaquille O'Neal 1.0
(2008)

Larry Bird 1.4
(1982)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.0
(1994)