I think that only Wilt and Kareem are comparable to Shaq's prime. I like Yao and he's the best center in the league atm. He has a good jumper and nice spin moves. If only T-Mac could atleast put 25 points every night, Houston could me a big contender for the title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think that only Wilt and Kareem are comparable to Shaq's prime. </div> screw russell and hakeem right?...lol
The thing is, if Shaq actually tried instead of being lazy, he could still average 30 points and 13 rebounds with 3 or 4 blocks. Shaq in his peak could have averaged 30 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks if he actually tried 100%. Yao is more consistant but if motivated, Shaq could still go out and put up monsterous numbers.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The thing is, if Shaq actually tried instead of being lazy, he could still average 30 points and 13 rebounds with 3 or 4 blocks. Shaq in his peak could have averaged 30 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks if he actually tried 100%. Yao is more consistant but if motivated, Shaq could still go out and put up monsterous numbers.</div>There's no way Shaq can put up monster numbers anymore. His health is a huge issue and he can't get away with a lot of the stuff in the paint he did early in his career. Even in the prime of his career, there's no way he could have ever put up numbers like that. Those numbers are very difficult to fathom in this day and age soley because there's a lot of quality bigs in the league now. Early in his career, Shaq was facing against Ewing, Hakeem, Mutumbo, all while they were still young(ish). Now, there's the likes of Okafor, Howard, Kaman, Yao, all sorts of good young bigs. The fact of the matter is, that Shaq may be the most dominant player ever for his era, but there's no way he puts up those kind of numbers.
If Shaq is motivated, he could still put up 30 points with 10 rebounds. Although he would have to be the number one option on the team to do so. Early in Shaqs career he played about 20 games against good bigs, what about the other 62 games? I still believe he could have put up 30/20 with 5 blocks early in his career if he made the effort to do so.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Shaq is motivated, he could still put up 30 points with 10 rebounds. Although he would have to be the number one option on the team to do so. Early in Shaqs career he played about 20 games against good bigs, what about the other 62 games? I still believe he could have put up 30/20 with 5 blocks early in his career if he made the effort to do so.</div> So he wasn't motivated in the Finals last year? Be realistic, Shaq isn't that player any more. He's not nearly as mobile or quick as he used to be, and his explosiveness has gone down significantly as well. Considering all the stress he's put on his body over the years due to his massiveness, it's not surprising that he's physically breaking down much earlier than is typical.
It's different with the Heat, he know's he can relax and Wade will still pull through. However, if he was the number one option, you would have seen a different Shaq. This debate will go nowhere because you will say "I don't think he can...." and I will say "I think he can..."
dude if Shaq could still dominate he would...Shaq LOVES being the number 1 option (that's why him and Kobe couldn't get along), you can tell by his play that he isn't as agile, quick, etc as he once was.....father time can be a pain in the ass, especially with a guy as big as Shaq.
Ok, if I was the coach of a team that didn't have another star, I would take any of the above. But, if I had a Shaq that was willing to condition himself, train hard and give himself to the team 100%, I would choose Shaq. However, it's unlikely that Shaq will give his all throughout the 82 games of the regular season as well as the post season.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's different with the Heat, he know's he can relax and Wade will still pull through. However, if he was the number one option, you would have seen a different Shaq. This debate will go nowhere because you will say "I don't think he can...." and I will say "I think he can..."</div>I would like to know where your evidence that he can still do it is? He was awful in the Finals last year, and in general, only had one great game, and that was his 30/20 game vs. the Bulls. Last season, you could tell he was breaking down physically. He wasn't healthy and his stats were anything but eyepopping. He only managed to get 20/9 last year, which is by far his worst season ever. So far this season, he hasn't done too much either except be hurt. To me, it's very apparent that Shaq has slowed down and isn't at all the player he once was.
He's playing nearly 10 less minutes than he did in the Laker day's and he isn't the number one option anymore. His FG% is increasing so it show's he's focused on being more efficient and playing a number two role. Yet again, I would like to mention, I never said Shaq is the same as before. Putting up 20/9 as a second option is pretty good, especially with reduced minutes. If Alonzo wasn't on the Heat team, he would still play 38 minutes a game. He's clearly less able but he is still a force if he needs to be.
Shaq being 34 1/2 at the start of this season. We can see if any great centers put up 30/10 at 34 1/2 or around that age. Hakeem at 34 1/2, 97-98 season averaged 16 ppg 9.8 rpg 2 bpg Kareem at 34, 81-82 season averaged 24 ppg 8.7 rpg, 2.7 bpg Kareem at 35, 82-83 season averaged 21.8 ppg 7.5 rpg 2.1 bpg Wilt at 34, 70-71 season averaged 20.7 ppg 18.2 rpg. Wilt at 35, 71-72 season averaged 14.8 ppg 19.2 rpg. David Robinson at 34, 99-00 season averaged 17.8 ppg 9.7 rpg 2.3 bpg David Robinson at 35, 00-01 season averaged 14.4 ppg 8.6 rpg 2.5 bpg Shaq also having a more massive frame is going to wear down his body quicker than a more lighter frame like Kareem (who seems to have put up the best stats as time went on compared to other great centers).
<div class="quote_poster">SkiptoMyLue11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq being 34 1/2 at the start of this season. We can see if any great centers put up 30/10 at 34 1/2 or around that age. Hakeem at 34 1/2, 97-98 season averaged 16 ppg 9.8 rpg 2 bpg Kareem at 34, 81-82 season averaged 24 ppg 8.7 rpg, 2.7 bpg Kareem at 35, 82-83 season averaged 21.8 ppg 7.5 rpg 2.1 bpg Wilt at 34, 70-71 season averaged 20.7 ppg 18.2 rpg. Wilt at 35, 71-72 season averaged 14.8 ppg 19.2 rpg.</div> Exactly, it proves that if they stay in good shape, they can put up solid numbers. Also, don't expect Shaq to finish the season with 14/7. It's only the beginning of the season. It's the same as expecting Kobe to finish the season averaging 22 points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok, if I was the coach of a team that didn't have another star, I would take any of the above. But, if I had a Shaq that was willing to condition himself, train hard and give himself to the team 100%, I would choose Shaq. However, it's unlikely that Shaq will give his all throughout the 82 games of the regular season as well as the post season. </div> a lot of players reach a certain age where they can't give it "100%" every night.....prime examples Hakeem, Jordan, and Shaq....when you get to a certain point in your career you have to learn to conserve energy and use it in the right spots....otherwise you might wear yourself out.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly, it proves that if they stay in good shape, they can put up solid numbers. Also, don't expect Shaq to finish the season with 14/7. It's only the beginning of the season. It's the same as expecting Kobe to finish the season averaging 22 points.</div> I don't expect Shaq to put up 14/7. I think something like 16-20 ppg and 7-10 rpg would be more reasonable. I could be wrong though. I was just saying I don't think even if Shaq wanted to, unless the team's sole goal was to pad Shaq's stats, that Shaq couldn't put up 30/10 for an entire season at the age of 34 1/2. Nor have other great centers.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's playing nearly 10 less minutes than he did in the Laker day's and he isn't the number one option anymore. His FG% is increasing so it show's he's focused on being more efficient and playing a number two role. Yet again, I would like to mention, I never said Shaq is the same as before. Putting up 20/9 as a second option is pretty good, especially with reduced minutes. If Alonzo wasn't on the Heat team, he would still play 38 minutes a game. He's clearly less able but he is still a force if he needs to be.</div> You really think a worn down, 34 year old Shaq is capable of playing 38 minutes a game? Shaq clearly has not been the man since he's been in Miami. Last year established that because, if he was "capable of putting up 30/10", he would have done it. Shaq's ego is humoungous, you really think he enjoyed handing DWade the Finals MVP trophy? The dude's averaging 13 and 6, that speaks for itself. Everyone declines at one point or another, whether it be Shaq or Kareem. You can't expect a guy in his twilight years to put up 30/10, even if you really believe he could "if he wanted to". All those years do take a toll on your body.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's playing nearly 10 less minutes than he did in the Laker day's and he isn't the number one option anymore. His FG% is increasing so it show's he's focused on being more efficient and playing a number two role. Yet again, I would like to mention, I never said Shaq is the same as before. Putting up 20/9 as a second option is pretty good, especially with reduced minutes. If Alonzo wasn't on the Heat team, he would still play 38 minutes a game. He's clearly less able but he is still a force if he needs to be.</div>The reason he's playing less is cause he can't play nearly as much as he used to be able to. He's not as durable and he doens't have the stamina to do it. And if Alonzo wasn't there, I still don't think he'd be playing 38mpg. He just can't do it. They'd have found someone else to slide in at the center spot to take some of the pressure off him.
I love how Shaq always says that he's "saving" himself for the playoffs and then he proceeds to stink it up in last year's finals. It's just his excuse to play half-assed in the regular season the last couple of years. He also always says that he always makes the free throws when they're important but how many times has he missed during the fourth quarter or when the game is on the line? His ego is massive. At this point in his career, he's just there as a presence mostly because he can't score or rebound like he used to. Cs and PFs always decline faster than the other positions and this is the case here. If Wade wants another championship, he'll be pretty much alone on this one (much like last season).
Shaq's making a pretty good argument that Yao isn't quite there yet early on in the HOU-MIA game. He's drawn a foul on Yao, scored on him one on one three times, and he blocked a shot on Yao on the other end. All in the first five minutes of the game.
