How Shaquille O’Neal Sacrificed Alonzo Mourning To Avoid Vince Carter Dunking On Him

Originally posted on Fadeaway World
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated 7/16/21

Shaquille O'Neal was one of the most dominant players in NBA history. On both ends of the court, Shaq was a monster. He could posterize a defender on one end of the court, and then run back and swat the ball out of an opposition player in the blink of an eye. Oftentimes, players would try to avoid going one-on-on against Shaq when they try to score a basket. But it appears there was one player even Shaq didn't want to be dunked on during his career.

Vince Carter is one of the best dunkers in NBA history. His historic performance in the 2000 Dunk Contest is still widely regarded as one of the best in history. But he could also put players on a poster during the course of a game. But one player he never could do that to was Shaquille O'Neal. But Carter did come close.

In 2005, Vince Carter and the Nets went to Miami to play Shaq and the Heat. During the game, Carter drove the ball to the rim in an attempt to dunk on Shaq. But O'Neal wasn't going to let that happen, so he committed a hard flagrant foul on Carter. O'Neal ended up going back to the bench, while Carter looked for his bearings.

But right after that, Carter got his revenge on the Heat and proved why Shaq was right in trying to avoid being dunked on by Carter. Vince Carter took the ball off a Richard Jefferson fumble, and then ran to the rim and dunked on Alonzo Mourning so hard, he just put him on a poster.

Carter ended up having a very long career in the NBA, only retiring last year. And over the years, he ended up posterizing some great players. But he missed out on doing the same to Shaq, but clearly not for a lack of trying.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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