Well, at this point in time, I would have to say Shaq But I would say Shaq because of his dominance. Shaq is the most dominant center to ever play the game, no question IMO. He's the biggest, the strongest, the most powerful, the meanest (on the court), he was an excellent defender as well (in his prime), very unselfish and a very good passing center. He could murder you with the power game or he could drop the finesse on you. I also love that he elevated his play in the postseason and Finals. During the regular season you might see Shaq put up 29/12. During the playoffs/Finals, he had multiple games where he went for 35+ and 15+. Shaq in his prime was just such a damn physical specimen that he could literally dominate in any era.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Oct 9 2006, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, at this point in time, I would have to say Shaq But I would say Shaq because of his dominance. Shaq is the most dominant center to ever play the game, no question IMO. He's the biggest, the strongest, the most powerful, the meanest (on the court), he was an excellent defender as well (in his prime), very unselfish and a very good passing center. He could murder you with the power game or he could drop the finesse on you. I also love that he elevated his play in the postseason and Finals. During the regular season you might see Shaq put up 29/12. During the playoffs/Finals, he had multiple games where he went for 35+ and 15+. Shaq in his prime was just such a damn physical specimen that he could literally dominate in any era.</div> Shotblocking isn't the only component playing great defense. Shaq's lack of guarding the pick and roll killed us at times. At other times he simply refused to play defense. The only year Shaq played as you called it "great defense" was 2000 imo. That's one year, not his prime.Kareem on the other hand wasn't lazy, played great defense during his prime and even when his prime was coming to an end. Can't say the same for Shaq. What makes his game so amazing is that everyone knew what the lakers were going to do in the halfcourt. Dump it to kareem. But yet no-one was able to stop it. His individual accolades blow shaq out of the waters and he has more rings to his names. More clutch. Kareem easily. edit: Shaq's compeition in his prime was Sabonis, Divac and Mutombo. Shaq must have been terrified <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>he had multiple games where he went for 35+ and 15+</div> Who cares. Kareem averaged 35/16/4 and who knows how many blocks since they weren't recorded that year. Much more impressive then Shaq abusing the likes of Rick smits and mccullough. It all comes down to Individual accolomphisments and the competition faced. If shaq played in the same era then maybe I'd reconsider my position.
<span style="font-family:Book Antiqua">I have to tip my hat to Kareem. He not only is the highest scorer of all time, but he is also one of the top 5 greatest players of all time. Kareem, even at the end of his career, was still dominant. Shaq may still dunk on everyone, but you can't say, "Oh, that's sick! Shaq just dropped 26 points on the Dallas Mavericks!" Kareem gave you his best even during his final years. Shaq can't keep up.Basically, I'm comparing the two by stats and my own opinions. There are facts, too, but it depends on whether or not people believe in them.</span>
