NBA: Built to Dominate

The Vancouver Grizzlies are a relatively new team, having entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1995.

During their inaugural draft, they selected Bryant Reeves, a 7'0" (213 cm), 275-pound (125 kg) center.

However, relying on just one big man wasn't enough to turn the franchise around.

After a disastrous first season, the Grizzlies landed the No. 1 overall pick in 1996 and selected Alex Mo.

What happened next nearly changed the landscape of the entire NBA.

Shaquille O'Neal was traded to Vancouver in a shocking sign-and-trade deal, almost a one-for-one swap for Alex Mo.

The moment Shaq arrived, Vancouver fans erupted in excitement, calling him "Superman."

And so far this season, the impact of the trade is undeniable.

With O'Neal and Reeves forming a dominant twin-tower frontcourt, the Grizzlies' record has improved dramatically.

After 12 games, they stand at 7-5, already looking like a playoff contender—well ahead of fellow expansion team Toronto Raptors.

Last season, the Grizzlies were at the bottom of the standings.

This season, they've jumped into the playoff race.

No one can deny that Shaq's arrival has transformed the team.

Grizzlies' Management Takes a Jab at the Lakers

"We have to thank the Los Angeles Lakers' front office for giving us Shaq," said Stu Jackson, the Grizzlies' general manager, in a press conference.

He didn't even try to hide his excitement.

"At the same time, we also want to thank Alex Mo, because without him, we wouldn't have been able to trade for a superstar like Shaq."

Stu Jackson went on to say:

"Both teams have a bright future, but in the next 5-10 years, the real debate will be: Who is better—Shaq or Alex Mo?"

While Alex Mo had been putting up insane numbers for the Lakers, Stu Jackson remained convinced that Shaq was the superior player.

"Let's not forget," Jackson added, "Shaq put up 46 points and 21 rebounds in a single game as a rookie."

And in his second season, O'Neal dropped a career-high 53 points and 18 rebounds.

Alex Mo's career-high? 49 points.

Meanwhile, Shaq had nine 40+ point, double-double games in just one season—a feat only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain had achieved before.

"To put it simply," Jackson said, "Alex Mo is great… but Shaq is greater."

A Heated Debate: Shaq vs. Alex Mo

Inside the Grizzlies' locker room, Shaq had his team's full support.

"If Alex Mo came here, he wouldn't have made as big an impact as Shaq," claimed Bryant Reeves.

"The Lakers were already a playoff team last season. We were second-to-last in the league!"

To Reeves, turning a terrible team into a playoff contender was much harder than improving an already good team.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Del Harris had a different take.

"I think people who say **Shaq is better don't understand the full picture."

In an interview, Harris explained:

"Going from a 60-rated team to an 80 is not the same as going from a 90 to a 95."

"Alex Mo took the Lakers from a fringe playoff team to a top-three record in the NBA."

"Look at the teams that have only three losses this season:

Chicago BullsHouston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers

The Bulls and Rockets are championship favorites.

And now, thanks to Alex Mo, the Lakers are right there with them.

Shaq couldn't have done that."

The debate between "Team Shaq" and "Team Alex Mo" raged on.

But there was only one way to settle it—on the court.

November 24 – The Showdown BeginsVancouver, General Motors Arena

The 18,000-seat arena was completely packed.

Almost everyone in the crowd wore #32 Vancouver Grizzlies jerseys—Shaq's number.

In Alex Mo's memory, Shaq always wore #32 with the Magic.

He had only switched to #34 in Los Angeles because #32 belonged to Magic Johnson.

And when Shaq eventually joined the Miami Heat, he went back to wearing #32 again.

Clearly, he had a deep attachment to this number.

Inside the Grizzlies' locker room, Bryant Reeves hyped Shaq up before tip-off.

"Shaq, look around! The stadium is sold out because of you. Go out there and make the Lakers regret trading you!"

"Yeah, Shaq! Let's show Jerry West he made the worst decision of his career!"

The entire Grizzlies squad stood behind their leader.

Point guard Greg Anthony promised, "I'm gonna feed you the ball all game. Just dominate their paint."

Shaq grinned, putting on his warm-up gear.

"Don't worry. I already planned on doing that."

The Game Begins—Shaq vs. Alex Mo

When Shaq stepped onto the court, the media swarmed him.

"I don't think the Lakers made the right move," Shaq told reporters.

"They just gave away a dynasty, buddy."

Shaq made it clear—if he had stayed in Los Angeles, the Lakers would have become a dynasty.

Now?

The Vancouver Grizzlies would take their place.

Alex Mo almost laughed out loud when he heard that.

He wanted to ask Shaq directly:

"Do you even believe what you're saying?"

But Shaq had already convinced himself.

The game was about to begin.

Both teams finished warm-ups.

Tip-OffShaq (Grizzlies) vs. Elden Campbell (Lakers)Alex Mo (Lakers) vs. Bryant Reeves (Grizzlies)

The referee threw the ball up—Shaq won the tip easily, tapping it to Greg Anthony.

Grizzlies possession.

Anthony wasted no time—he immediately fed the ball inside to Shaq.

Shaq turned, backed down Campbell, and…

BOOM!

A thunderous two-handed slam!

The entire basket shook.

A second later, the shot clock collapsed from the force of the dunk.

Photographers at courtside jumped out of the way in shock.

A Statement Dunk

"Damn," Chinese commentator Zhang Wenli said, "Shaq just broke the shot clock!"

His co-commentator Qun Yuan added, "This guy already destroyed a backboard when he played for Orlando. He's a beast!"

The game was temporarily stopped to fix the damage.

Shaq soaked in the crowd's energy, flexing his massive biceps in front of Alex Mo.

The fans erupted.

To them, Shaq had already won the battle.

But they forgot—

Alex Mo hadn't even responded yet.

Alex Mo's Answer

The game resumed.

Derek Fisher brought the ball up the court, then passed to Alex Mo at the three-point line.

Mo faked a shot—Reeves bit on it.

With one explosive step, Mo drove into the paint.

Shaq tried to rotate over, but it was too late.

Alex Mo took flight.

BOOM!

Glass shattered.

Alex Mo just broke the entire backboard.

The crowd went silent.

Shaq broke the shot clock?

Alex Mo broke the damn rim.

The real battle had just begun.