Michael Jordan's retirement in 1998 marked the end of the Jordan era of basketball. The question was which franchise and players would rise to dominance if anyone was in Jordan's absence. That question was answered by two great men, whose unique game and winning attitudes would allow the coming decade of NBA basketball to be just as historic as the last. Despite their stylistic differences, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan shared a talent for success. The start of this era saw eight of the next nine NBA championship teams led primarily by Shaq or Duncan. Shaquille O'Neal, whose countless nicknames, including The Big Aristotle, Shaq Daddy, Shaq Diesel, stem from his dominant and loud style of play, as well as his boisterous personality. Duncan's nickname, "The Big Fundamental", a nickname actually given to him by Shaq, is a perfect way to sum up what Duncan represents. This nickname pays homage to Duncan's strictly precise, flash-free game plan and execution. These two superstars can stand out with their stats and style. I can't sit here and choose Shaquille O'Neal over Tim Duncan or vice versa. They are just too different, yet identical in their impact. Shaquille O'Neal was all about power, while Duncan was/is consistent production and not flashy.StatisticsIt In terms of regular season success, Shaq and Duncan have proven to lead their teams to successful playoff runs . In terms of regular season records, each was part of teams that were consistently at the top of the Western Conference standings. However, Duncan received two NBA Most Valuable Player awards in the regular season, while O'Neil did not. In his 16-year NBA career, Duncan's accolades also include being...... middle of paper...... Shaq's championships were shared with the super star guard at his sides. The Laker's 3-Peat from 2000 to 2002 was leader O'Neal and a young star named Kobe Bryant, arguably the best players of the decade. O'Neal was the NBA Finals MVP in all three championships. Their ego hinders them in their quest for greatness and their roles within the team seem difficult to coexist. In 2004, the Lakers traded Shaqille to the Miami Heat, where Shaq joined another emerging superstar, Dwayne Wade. In 2006, led by the new duo, the Miami Heat won the 2006 NBA championship. It seemed that Duncan's selfless attitude and focus on the title allowed him to create an environment conducive to victory. Duncan has the ability to do more with less with his teammates. Shaq, on the other hand, has a history of having both a great supporting cast and leadership qualities.