<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Wilt had to go against Russell, that's it. Shaq had to go up against Ewing, Hakeem, Robinson etc. Their was way more quality at the C position in the 90's, then in the 60's.</div> Nate Thurmond. Walt Bellamy. Plus, in Wilt's time there were only like 8 teams in the league. So he played against these guys a ton. The percentage of times facing an opposing HoF (or potential HoF) center was certainly greater for Wilt than for Shaq.
You can't compare the two. Wilt played long ago, when the only player he could model his game on was George Mikan. Shaq had people like, Mikan, Wilt, Russel, Kareem, Walton... Wilt wasnt as huge as Shaq, but he was huge. Shaq plays now, look at all the supplements and training techniques that have been developed today, look at the shoes, look at the arenas. Most players in Wilts era didn't even work out, because it wasnt yet accepted in sports, Wilt did, thats a big reason why he was so dominant, but because he went ahead and did it, that makes him greater than them. Both are legends, both won titles with different teams. Both made the NBA's top 50 (theres a reason why those 50 are in no particular order other than alphabetical). I'd take Shaq today, but if Wilt was using the supplements of today, and the training techniques of today, and if he had all of those centers to model his game after, I think that he would be better than Shaq.
I hear the "kobe took away" from shaq argument, but a scoring perimeter threat can also help a big guy get some easy buckets down low....but yeah like I said earlier Wilt, Hakeem, Kareem, Russell > Shaq.......just imagine Hakeem reaching his prime in the era that Shaq dominated......you thought he dominated D Rob, Ewing, and Shaq........imagine what he would do against Sabonis and Divac????....AND he can shoot fts AND he was a better defender..........by far.
I would take wilt how can you say wilt really didn't face no centers he faced kareem, russell,reed,bellamy,thurmond, wilt averaged 50 points in a season.24 rebounds in a season and teamates of his often said he would block like 10 or 12 shots a game.Wilt was way more athletic than shaq wilt was way faster and supposedly had a 50 inch vertical.
Again, those 50ppg where scored against centers who havent been working out, and today, everyone works out. Im not taking anything away from Wilt, all the power to him because he chose to work out and get that athletic. Shaq had way more ppl to model his game over, and didnt have to invent any more ways to score. Wilt is not better than Shaq, and Shaq is not better than Wilt.
Wilt was the prototype 7 foot center. There is nothing wrong with that, but the league is constantly evolving.
Thats what ive been saying all along. You can't compare them, so they are even, both where the most dominant centers of their time.
The game in wilts time was more raw. Meaning less petty rules. Give shaq the freedom to sit in the paint for 24 seconds while the tallest guy guarding him is 6'10 or under and he woulds hes putting up 50 point seasons also. But i hate these threads because its not fair to both of them. they were the most dominant in their time.
Exactly, wouldnt you sit in the paint if you could? However, during Wilts career alot of rule changes where made, including widening the lane and if im not mistaken the 3 in the key was also invented b4 Wilts second championship. They are so alike, its ridiculous, both couldnt make frees.
They game are real simiarl to each other. The thing that amazes me how athletic they were for 7 footers. there are 6 foot guys that are not athletic like those guys. a 55 inch vertical for a 7 foot guy thats insane
Shaq easily. Ppl underestimate how much the game has changed. Back then, some of the best athletes weren't even allowed in the building (segregation). Wilt played against players 10 times slower, shorter, and weaker than he was. The closet thing to Wilt was 6'11 Bill Russell. Shaq in his prime was the strongest man EVER in the NBA, if he played in the 60's he'd be averaging atleast 100pts a game. We've had the debate before. Shaq hands down!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq easily. Ppl underestimate how much the game has changed. Back then, some of the best athletes weren't even allowed in the building (segregation). Wilt played against players 10 times slower, shorter, and weaker than he was. The closet thing to Wilt was 6'11 Bill Russell. Shaq in his prime was the strongest man EVER in the NBA, if he played in the 60's he'd be averaging atleast 100pts a game. We've had the debate before. Shaq hands down!</div> You're a retard. Wilt is probably just as strong as Shaq. And faster. And better defensively and definetely offensively. Oh and Shaq ranks himself the 4th greatest center ever. He said Wilt was #1.
Strongest man ever i doubt it wilt could bench press 600 lbs can shaq do it i doubt it. Also shaq wouldn't average 100 points a game not ever happening no won will average 100 points a game. I doubt anyone will do that if if it is the perfect player it's not happening.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NBA MAN:</div><div class="quote_post">You're a retard. Wilt is probably just as strong as Shaq. And faster. And better defensively and definetely offensively. Oh and Shaq ranks himself the 4th greatest center ever. He said Wilt was #1.</div> Probably as strong as Shaq? Um, even a retard can see that's off base. Need proof, look at Shaq and look at Wilt. end of discussion.
lets all stop saying reard for a second, ok. the real question is would shaq have averaged (in wilts era) 50 ppg for a whole season, no. how about 20 plus boards for a career, no. wilt is the best player of all-time. sure he was obsessed with himself and only wanted to pump up his stats. but shaq seems a little too in love with himself too. and wilt is simply the best center ever stat wise, even best playe stat wise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ManHops23:</div><div class="quote_post">Strongest man ever i doubt it wilt could bench press 600 lbs can shaq do it i doubt it. Also shaq wouldn't average 100 points a game not ever happening no won will average 100 points a game. I doubt anyone will do that if if it is the perfect player it's not happening.</div> Why couldn't he? Remember this is the 60's, the league wasn't half as athletic back then. There weren't even too many 7footers playin. All Shaq would do is back down, catch down low, and slam dunk. Everytime, game over. Too strong <div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheFreshPrince:</div><div class="quote_post">lets all stop saying reard for a second, ok.</div> thanks, but i've been called worse <div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheFreshPrince:</div><div class="quote_post">the real question is would shaq have averaged (in wilts era) 50 ppg for a whole season, no. how about 20 plus boards for a career, no. wilt is the best player of all-time. sure he was obsessed with himself and only wanted to pump up his stats. but shaq seems a little too in love with himself too. and wilt is simply the best center ever stat wise, even best playe stat wise.</div> C'mon Freshprince.....for you to say that and look past the fact that nobody matched up with Wilt in size back then is ridiculous. Besides Russell, nobody could handle Wilt. Shaq's bigger and stronger than Wilt, and he'd do twice as much damage. Especially in the Civil Right Movement lol
Shaq wouldn't average 50ppg back in the day, Wilt was already dominant in size and strength, and he was also faster, quicker and with a better skill set than Shaq, Wilt was perfectly tailored for his time, more size would probably have taken away from his dominant game. By no means is Shaq a hands down winner, not even close.
Bench press has nothing to do with basketball. Joey Graham on the raptors can bench something like 450? Thats a 6'7" 225lb SF.
