Complete Stats Comparison of Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry West

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry West 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 / Stats / Stats Rankings

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
Shaquille O'Neal2
(rebounds, blocks)
4
(points, rebounds, steals, blocks)
19
seasons
Jerry West3
(points, assists, steals)
1
(assists)
14
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Shaquille O'Neal3
(rebounds, steals, blocks)
4
(points, rebounds, steals, blocks)
17
Playoffs
Jerry West2
(points, assists)
1
(assists)
13
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal4
stats
9
stats
1
stat
Jerry West6
stats
3
stats
1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal5
stats
9
stats
1
stat
Jerry West5
stats
3
stats
1
stat

- Stats for turnovers, and three-point shots were not available during one of the players' career. They were not included on these tables.

- "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...

Notes: Offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Turnovers started to be recorded in 1977-78. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
(*) = some years in his career don't have the stat.
(n/a) = the stat was not available during his career.

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in offensive rebounds (+2.5), defensive rebounds (+4.6), total rebounds (+5.1) and blocks (+1.6)
- Jerry West had better averages in points (+3.3), field goals made (+0.3), free throws made (+2.8), assists (+4.2) and steals (+2.0)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.8)
-
-
- Jerry West had higher averages in field goals attempted (+4.3) and free throws attempted (+0.1)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Shaquille O'Neal 23.7
Jerry West 27.0
+3.3
Field Goals Made
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
Jerry West 9.7
+0.3
Field Goals Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 16.1
Jerry West 20.4
+4.3
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Jerry West -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Shaquille O'Neal 4.9
Jerry West 7.7
+2.8
Free Throws Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 9.3
Jerry West 9.4
+0.1
Offensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 3.5
+2.5
Jerry West 1.0
*
Defensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 7.4
+4.6
Jerry West 2.8
*
Shaquille O'Neal 10.9
+5.1
Jerry West 5.8
Shaquille O'Neal 2.5
Jerry West 6.7
+4.2
Shaquille O'Neal 0.6
Jerry West 2.6
+2.0 *
Shaquille O'Neal 2.3
+1.6
Jerry West 0.7
*
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
Jerry West -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.4
+0.8
Jerry West 2.6

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Shaquille O'Neal played more years (+5) and games (+275), and had more points (+3,404), field goals made (+2,314), offensive rebounds (+4,179), defensive rebounds (+8,804), total rebounds (+7,733), steals (+658) and blocks (+2,709)
- Jerry West had more free throws made (+1,225) and assists (+3,212)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more personal fouls (+1,711)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had more field goals attempted (+425) and free throws attempted (+2,451)
-

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Shaquille O'Neal 19
+5
Jerry West 14
Shaquille O'Neal 1,207
+275
Jerry West 932
Shaquille O'Neal 28,596
+3,404
Jerry West 25,192
Field Goals Made
Shaquille O'Neal 11,330
+2,314
Jerry West 9,016
Field Goals Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 19,457
+425
Jerry West 19,032
Shaquille O'Neal 1
Jerry West -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 22
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Shaquille O'Neal 5,935
Jerry West 7,160
+1,225
Free Throws Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 11,252
+2,451
Jerry West 8,801
Offensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 4,209
+4,179
Jerry West 30
*
Defensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 8,890
+8,804
Jerry West 86
*
Shaquille O'Neal 13,099
+7,733
Jerry West 5,366
Shaquille O'Neal 3,026
Jerry West 6,238
+3,212
Shaquille O'Neal 739
+658
Jerry West 81
*
Shaquille O'Neal 2,732
+2,709
Jerry West 23
*
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 3,310
Jerry West -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 4,146
+1,711
Jerry West 2,435

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage while Jerry West had better free throw percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 58.2%
+10.8
Jerry West 47.4%
3-Point Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 4.5%
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 52.7%
Jerry West 81.4%
+28.7

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, steals and blocks while Jerry West had better averages in points and assists.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in offensive rebounds (+4.0), defensive rebounds (+5.6), total rebounds (+6.0), steals (+0.5) and blocks (+2.1)
- Jerry West had better averages in points (+4.8), field goals made (+1.2), free throws made (+2.5) and assists (+3.6)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.7)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher average in free throws attempted (+0.9)
- Jerry West had higher average in field goals attempted (+5.8)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Shaquille O'Neal 24.3
Jerry West 29.1
+4.8
Field Goals Made
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
Jerry West 10.6
+1.2
Field Goals Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 16.8
Jerry West 22.6
+5.8
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Jerry West -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Shaquille O'Neal 5.4
Jerry West 7.9
+2.5
Free Throws Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 10.7
+0.9
Jerry West 9.8
Offensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 4.0
+4.0
Jerry West 0.0
*
Defensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 7.6
+5.6
Jerry West 2.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 11.6
+6.0
Jerry West 5.6
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
Jerry West 6.3
+3.6
Shaquille O'Neal 0.5
+0.5
Jerry West 0.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 2.1
+2.1
Jerry West 0.0
*
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.0
Jerry West -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 3.6
+0.7
Jerry West 2.9

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, steals and blocks while Jerry West had more total assists.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Shaquille O'Neal played more years (+4) and games (+63), and had more points (+793), field goals made (+419), offensive rebounds (+866), defensive rebounds (+1,640), total rebounds (+1,653), steals (+117) and blocks (+459)
- Jerry West had more free throws made (+45) and assists (+388)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more personal fouls (+318)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had more field goals attempted (+167) and free throws attempted (+811)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Shaquille O'Neal 17
+4
Jerry West 13
Shaquille O'Neal 216
+63
Jerry West 153
Shaquille O'Neal 5,250
+793
Jerry West 4,457
Field Goals Made
Shaquille O'Neal 2,041
+419
Jerry West 1,622
Field Goals Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 3,627
+167
Jerry West 3,460
Shaquille O'Neal 0
Jerry West -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 0
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Shaquille O'Neal 1,168
Jerry West 1,213
+45
Free Throws Attempted
Shaquille O'Neal 2,317
+811
Jerry West 1,506
Offensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 866
+866
Jerry West 0
*
Defensive Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal 1,642
+1,640
Jerry West 2
*
Shaquille O'Neal 2,508
+1,653
Jerry West 855
Shaquille O'Neal 582
Jerry West 970
+388
Shaquille O'Neal 117
+117
Jerry West 0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 459
+459
Jerry West 0
*
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 649
Jerry West -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Shaquille O'Neal 769
+318
Jerry West 451

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage while Jerry West had better free throw percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 56.3%
+9.4
Jerry West 46.9%
3-Point Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 0%
Jerry West -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal 50.4%
Jerry West 80.5%
+30.1