Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal took in stride the honor of being named NBA Rookie of the Year.
And why not? For him, it's all in a day's work."I was just doing what I was supposed to do," O'Neal said Thursday. "At 7-1, 303, you're supposed to go out there, dunk, rebound and battle. I was just doing my job."
O'Neal received 96 of a possible 98 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NBA - three from each league city and 17 representing the national media.
Center Alonzo Mourning of the Charlotte Hornets received the other two votes.
O'Neal, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft out of Louisiana State, was the only player in the NBA's top 10 in four statistical categories.
He averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.53 blocked shots per game and shot .562 from the field, leading all rookies in each of those categories. He was second in the league in rebounding and shot-blocking, fourth in shooting percentage and eighth in scoring.
But on Thursday, O'Neal said he was not quite satisfied.
"I hope I can get an NBA championship trophy to go along with it," O'Neal said, "so that when I retire and have children, I can tell my son, `I was bad.' "
O'Neal was the first rookie since Buck Williams in 1981-82 to grab more than 1,000 rebounds. In seven of the team's 82 games, he had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.
With O'Neal's help, the Magic posted a 41-41 record, their best ever and 20 games better than the previous year. It was the biggest improvement in the NBA this season.
Was there a highlight?
"When I ripped the backboard down on my head," O'Neal said with a laugh, referring to games against Phoenix and New Jersey when his monster dunks required new rims to be brought in. "There have been a lot of highlights. . . . The whole season was fun."
He set single-season team records for total points (1,893), rebounds (1,122) and blocked shots (286). He became the Magic's all-time leader in blocked shots after just 28 games.
In the offseason, O'Neal said his goal is to improve his outside shooting and free throws. But celebrity engagements will limit his time on the court.
His schedule for the next few weeks includes making a rap music video in New York, appearing in a basketball movie with Nick Nolte, and touring Europe and Japan to promote Reebok and Pepsi.
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1993 NBA Rookie of the Year
Shaquille O' Neal of the Orlando Magic was the overwhelming choice as the league's rookis of the year. He received 96 of a possible 98 votes. Alanzo Mourning of the Charlotte Hornets received the other two.
Regular season statistics
Games Ave. Min FGM-FGA Pct. FTM-FTA Pct. Pts. Avg.
81 37.9 733-1304 .562 427-721 .562 1893 23.4
Past NBA Rookies of the Year
Year Name Team
1992 Larry Johnson Charlotte Hornets
1991 Derrick Coleman New Jersey Nets
1990 David Robinson San Antonio Spurs
1989 Mitch Richmond Golden State Warriors
1988 Mark Jackson New York Knicks
1987 Chuck Person Indiana Pacers
1986 Patrick Ewing New York Knicks
1985 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1984 Ralph Sampson Houston Rockets
1983 Terry Cummings San Diego Clippers