Complete Stats Comparison of Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O'Neal

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O'Neal during their NBA careers. First we show you a summary of who had better numbers on each statistical category and then we compare in detail the performance of each of these stars in the regular season and the Playoffs, both in total stats and averages per game.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / Games against each other

This in-depth comparison includes all the numbers, if you prefer a simplified version of this analysis with only the basic statistics, you will find it at the career comparison of these two NBA stars.

On this page we compare:

Who has better stats? Main stats / All stats
Regular Season: Averages / Totals / Pecentages
Playoffs: Averages / Totals / Pecentages

Main Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Dirk Nowitzki1
(steals)		3
(points, assists, steals)		21
seasons
Shaquille O'Neal4
(points, rebounds, assists, blocks)		2
(rebounds, blocks)		19
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Dirk Nowitzki2
(points, steals)		1
(steals)		15
Playoffs
Shaquille O'Neal3
(rebounds, assists, blocks)		4
(points, rebounds, assists, blocks)		17
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki4
stats		10
stats		2
stats
Shaquille O'Neal8
stats		4
stats		1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki7
stats		4
stats		2
stats
Shaquille O'Neal5
stats		10
stats		1
stat

- "Better Career Total" includes games and years played as stats.

- For turnovers and personal fouls, lower numbers are better.

- Field goal, free-throw and three-point attempts are not included on these tables since it can't be said that higher is better.

Now, lets compare all their stats in detail, one by one...

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in points, rebounds, assists and blocks while Dirk Nowitzki had better average in steals.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in 3-pointers made (+1.3) and steals (+0.2)
- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in points (+3.0), field goals made (+2.1), free throws made (+0.1), offensive rebounds (+2.5), defensive rebounds (+0.8), total rebounds (+3.4), assists (+0.1) and blocks (+1.5)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+1.1) and personal fouls (+1.0)
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+3.4)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher averages in field goals attempted (+0.5) and free throws attempted (+3.9)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
Shaquille O'Neal 23.7
+3.0
Field Goals Made
Dirk Nowitzki 7.3
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
+2.1
Field Goals Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 15.6
Shaquille O'Neal 16.1
+0.5
3-Pointers Made
Dirk Nowitzki 1.3
+1.3
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 3.4
+3.4
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Free Throws Made
Dirk Nowitzki 4.8
Shaquille O'Neal 4.9
+0.1
Free Throws Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 5.4
Shaquille O'Neal 9.3
+3.9
Offensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Shaquille O'Neal 3.5
+2.5
Defensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 6.6
Shaquille O'Neal 7.4
+0.8
Total Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
Shaquille O'Neal 10.9
+3.4
Assists
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Shaquille O'Neal 2.5
+0.1
Steals
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
+0.2
Shaquille O'Neal 0.6
Blocks
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Shaquille O'Neal 2.3
+1.5
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 1.6
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
+1.1
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Shaquille O'Neal 3.4
+1.0

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Dirk Nowitzki had more total points, assists and steals while Shaquille O'Neal had more total rebounds and blocks.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+2) and games (+315), and had more points (+2,964), 3-pointers made (+1,981), free throws made (+1,305), defensive rebounds (+1,131), assists (+625) and steals (+471)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more field goals made (+161), offensive rebounds (+2,741), total rebounds (+1,610) and blocks (+1,451)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had more turnovers (+816) and personal fouls (+545)
- Dirk Nowitzki had more field goals attempted (+4,277) and 3-pointers attempted (+5,188)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more free throws attempted (+3,013)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Dirk Nowitzki 21
+2
Shaquille O'Neal 19
Games
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
+315
Shaquille O'Neal 1,207
Points
Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
+2,964
Shaquille O'Neal 28,596
Field Goals Made
Dirk Nowitzki 11,169
Shaquille O'Neal 11,330
+161
Field Goals Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 23,734
+4,277
Shaquille O'Neal 19,457
3-Pointers Made
Dirk Nowitzki 1,982
+1,981
Shaquille O'Neal 1
3-Pointers Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 5,210
+5,188
Shaquille O'Neal 22
Free Throws Made
Dirk Nowitzki 7,240
+1,305
Shaquille O'Neal 5,935
Free Throws Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 8,239
Shaquille O'Neal 11,252
+3,013
Offensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 1,468
Shaquille O'Neal 4,209
+2,741
Defensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 10,021
+1,131
Shaquille O'Neal 8,890
Total Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
Shaquille O'Neal 13,099
+1,610
Assists
Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
+625
Shaquille O'Neal 3,026
Steals
Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
+471
Shaquille O'Neal 739
Blocks
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
Shaquille O'Neal 2,732
+1,451
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 2,494
Shaquille O'Neal 3,310
+816
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 3,601
Shaquille O'Neal 4,146
+545

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Dirk Nowitzki had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 47.1%
Shaquille O'Neal 58.2%
+11.1
3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 38.0%
+33.5
Shaquille O'Neal 4.5%
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 87.9%
+35.2
Shaquille O'Neal 52.7%

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in rebounds, assists and blocks while Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points and steals.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points (+1.0), 3-pointers made (+1.0), free throws made (+2.0), defensive rebounds (+0.9) and steals (+0.5)
- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in field goals made (+1.0), offensive rebounds (+2.5), total rebounds (+1.6), assists (+0.2) and blocks (+1.2)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.7) and personal fouls (+0.8)
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher averages in field goals attempted (+1.4) and 3-pointers attempted (+2.8)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher average in free throws attempted (+2.4)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
+1.0
Shaquille O'Neal 24.3
Field Goals Made
Dirk Nowitzki 8.4
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
+1.0
Field Goals Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 18.2
+1.4
Shaquille O'Neal 16.8
3-Pointers Made
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+1.0
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8
+2.8
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Free Throws Made
Dirk Nowitzki 7.4
+2.0
Shaquille O'Neal 5.4
Free Throws Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 8.3
Shaquille O'Neal 10.7
+2.4
Offensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
Shaquille O'Neal 4.0
+2.5
Defensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 8.5
+0.9
Shaquille O'Neal 7.6
Total Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
Shaquille O'Neal 11.6
+1.6
Assists
Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
+0.2
Steals
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+0.5
Shaquille O'Neal 0.5
Blocks
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
Shaquille O'Neal 2.1
+1.2
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 2.3
Shaquille O'Neal 3.0
+0.7
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8
Shaquille O'Neal 3.6
+0.8

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Shaquille O'Neal had more total points, rebounds, assists and blocks while Dirk Nowitzki had more total steals.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Dirk Nowitzki had more 3-pointers made (+149) and steals (+32)
- Shaquille O'Neal played more years (+2) and games (+71), and had more points (+1,587), field goals made (+821), free throws made (+94), offensive rebounds (+654), defensive rebounds (+408), total rebounds (+1,062), assists (+222) and blocks (+330)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had more turnovers (+321) and personal fouls (+362)
- Dirk Nowitzki had more 3-pointers attempted (+408)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more field goals attempted (+985) and free throws attempted (+1,113)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Dirk Nowitzki 15
Shaquille O'Neal 17
+2
Games
Dirk Nowitzki 145
Shaquille O'Neal 216
+71
Points
Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
Shaquille O'Neal 5,250
+1,587
Field Goals Made
Dirk Nowitzki 1,220
Shaquille O'Neal 2,041
+821
Field Goals Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 2,642
Shaquille O'Neal 3,627
+985
3-Pointers Made
Dirk Nowitzki 149
+149
Shaquille O'Neal 0
3-Pointers Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 408
+408
Shaquille O'Neal 0
Free Throws Made
Dirk Nowitzki 1,074
Shaquille O'Neal 1,168
+94
Free Throws Attempted
Dirk Nowitzki 1,204
Shaquille O'Neal 2,317
+1,113
Offensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 212
Shaquille O'Neal 866
+654
Defensive Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 1,234
Shaquille O'Neal 1,642
+408
Total Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
Shaquille O'Neal 2,508
+1,062
Assists
Dirk Nowitzki 360
Shaquille O'Neal 582
+222
Steals
Dirk Nowitzki 149
+32
Shaquille O'Neal 117
Blocks
Dirk Nowitzki 129
Shaquille O'Neal 459
+330
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 328
Shaquille O'Neal 649
+321
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Dirk Nowitzki 407
Shaquille O'Neal 769
+362

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 46.2%
Shaquille O'Neal 56.3%
+10.1
3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 36.5%
+36.5
Shaquille O'Neal 0%
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki 89.2%
+38.8
Shaquille O'Neal 50.4%
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