In a few years from now who is going to be considered the best big man of our time? The two front-runners for 'our time' is going to be Shaq O'neal and Tim Duncan. Over the past decade these two have been the dominant players in the league and have been to several NBA Finals. Both players have won the league MVP award, are perennial All-Stars, and have been NBA 1st Teamers. 2005 - Duncan 2004 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2003 - Duncan 2002 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2001 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2000 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 1999 - Duncan (short season) 1995 - Shaq (w/Magic) Shaq has been to more NBA Finals, but assuming Duncan wins the ring this year, he will tie Shaq with 3 rings each. Does this ring put Duncan on the same level as Shaq? If not what will it take for Duncan to be considered better than Shaq?
It is way too close to pick one particluar guy in my opinion. I like to look at it this way: Shaq: Best Center of Our Time Tim Duncan: Best Power Forward of Our Time I know its a copout, but its the way I would like to look at it.
I'd say Tim Duncan. Its close but Duncan never played with Kobe/Wade and still won championships. Also I dont think Shaq should get it because he hasn't improved his game much throughout his career. He pretty much only uses his largness to dominate, he cant score outside of 5 feet, he never improved his jump shot or free throw shooting, he didn't bother to get into good shape until he came to Miami, he runs his mouth all the time, he left two franchises and verbally bashed both after he left. Not to mention the agony he put us through with his rap CDs and his movie, Kazaam. Duncan has really had only one superstar, David Robinson, until this season when Manu stepped up. He is classy, has a nice post game, great shot blocker and defender, leader, has only been on one franchise and they have been good for the whole time he has been there, hasn't disrespected other players through the media, etc.
Shaq will and should be remembered as the greater player. But Duncan is great as well. They are certainly the top 2 big men of the past ten years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd say Tim Duncan. Its close but Duncan never played with Kobe/Wade and still won championships. Also I dont think Shaq should get it because he hasn't improved his game much throughout his career. He pretty much only uses his largness to dominate, he cant score outside of 5 feet, he never improved his jump shot or free throw shooting, he didn't bother to get into good shape until he came to Miami, he runs his mouth all the time, he left two franchises and verbally bashed both after he left. Not to mention the agony he put us through with his rap CDs and his movie, Kazaam. Duncan has really had only one superstar, David Robinson, until this season when Manu stepped up. He is classy, has a nice post game, great shot blocker and defender, leader, has only been on one franchise and they have been good for the whole time he has been there, hasn't disrespected other players through the media, etc.</div> I would argue Shaq definitely improved his game. He learned how to pass out of double teams effectively, and he developed a hook shot. Later on in his career he added that spin move jump shot to his post game. Also I think it's a testament to Shaq how he stayed so consistent throughout his career. He's never averaged under 20ppg or 10rpg in any of his seasons. He also has a career 57.9% from the field. Tim Duncan is also steady, but he's only averaged over 25ppg a season one time. Shaq has averaged 25+PPG 10 out of his 13 years in the league. Duncan is also a poor free throw shooter and surprisingly enough he averages less BPG for his career than Shaq. For all the shots inside the paint, Duncan is only shooting a career average of 50.7%.
I would say Shaq is the greatest big man, simply because hes so DOMINANT...Duncan can have bad games here and there, but when Shaq has a bad game, its like 18 points and 9 boards...the game has been changed so much because of Shaq, such as allowing zones, 5-second post violations, defensive 3 seconds, etc...not that he's the player solely responsible for these changes, but he did have some major impact on them...Duncan is much more efficient than O'Neal, but O'neal is much more dominant...
Shaq and Duncan will be remembered as some of the most dominant players of all time, but O`Neal has really earned the name of pure dominance. Players in the game are almost afraid to guard Shaq because of what he could do to them. You never see him back down from a challenge either, which true big men should have in their game. I`m going with Shaq on this one.
Im going with Shaq on this one. TD is an amazing player and is not far behind. But Shaq has just been more dominant than TD. I consider Duncan the best pf of all time, but I still put Shaq just a notch above him.
I would have to go with Shaq. He has been extremely dominant and couldn't be stopped when he was in his prime. He is the greatest center ever and has changed the game of basketball (Hack A Shaq).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">I would have to go with Shaq. He has been extremely dominant and couldn't be stopped when he was in his prime. He is the greatest center ever and has changed the game of basketball (Hack A Shaq).</div> Tim Duncan could NEVER be on Shaq's level. First off, the Spurs have a GREAT TEAM. If Duncan were to have a off game, one of his many talented teamates will pick up the slack. If you were to put Duncan on the Clippers, he wouldn't have the same impact. On the other hand, Shaq has proven wherever he goes, no matter what the team, he makes his team a contender. Orlando, L.A., Miami, it doesn't matter. Duncan is talented, but he'll never be able to surpass Shaq or Hakeem as the best big man of our time
Shaq will be remembered as the greatest big man of our time, and maybe even All-Time. Duncan is a great player and will be remembered as one of the all time greats, it's just Shaq's dominance that makes him so great. He outdid Duncan many times when they played against one another.
as good as duncan is he isnt as dominant as shaq, shaq will always be remembered as the top big men ever. He has 3 rings and nobody one on one can stop him.
This is a though question. Duncan, in my opinion is the best PF of all time but Shaq is the best Center of all time. They would have equal rings but Duncan did it with less talent around him. However Shaq was simply the most dominant player to ever play the game. I dont think you can compare them because to quote shaq "its like comparing apples and pumpkins".
I don't see Shaq even on the same level as Duncan. Tim Duncan is probably the best player in the NBA today, he does everything, and does it well. He can score from pretty much anywhere on the floor, whereas Shaq has to be inside 5 feet. Shaq uses his size and power to muscle his way in and just spins for a dunk, hook shot, or some weak floater. Duncan can shoot from 15-18 feet and can hit consistently...I think Shaq wouldn't be able to hit that shot in warm ups let alone in the middle of a game. To call a player who can't hit free throws, can't shoot at all the Most Dominant player ever is kinda stupid in my opinion...Maybe the most dominant post presence, but not anywhere else on the floor.
it's amazin how everyone mentioned only 2 names, but forgot to mention the most polished, all-around big man. how bout HAKEEM FREAKIN OLAJUWON!!!!. Olajuwon in his prime was better than Shaq, and maybe better than even Duncan! Yes, Duncan could get better... but if not.. then Olajuwon was better than Duncan in his prime. The guy could score at will, defense was with the best of em, better passer than both Duncan and Shaq. IMO... The Dream was the best big man maybe even the last 20-30 years.
I say Shaq, there is no 7' 350 pounder to stop Shaq but there is a 7' 250 pounder to stop TD, I have heard of the Hack-a-Shaq method but no Hack-a-TD. So with that being said I pick Shaq as the best big man of our time.
and what's the deal with people considering Duncan a PF... he's a C!!! He's between 6'11''-7'0" @260 lbs. Take a look around the League and compare other C's. Just becuz hes' agile enough to play the 4 doesnt mean he's a natural PF. Next thing we know, people will consider Lebron a PG with his handles.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PUREPOINT:</div><div class="quote_post">it's amazin how everyone mentioned only 2 names, but forgot to mention the most polished, all-around big man. how bout HAKEEM FREAKIN OLAJUWON!!!!. Olajuwon in his prime was better than Shaq, and maybe better than even Duncan! Yes, Duncan could get better... but if not.. then Olajuwon was better than Duncan in his prime. The guy could score at will, defense was with the best of em, better passer than both Duncan and Shaq. IMO... The Dream was the best big man maybe even the last 20-30 years.</div> ok from 2000-2005 hakeem was an old sucky player who really needed to retire [he did in 2003 WAY too late]but the other name you need to mention is kevin garnett,mvp in 2004 and he didnt rob anyone like duncan did like in 2002 jason kidd should of won it and in 2003 kobe bryant should of won it.There are other great power forwards and centers like Chris Webber,Yao Ming[but he is a little overrated because he is chinese and most all he can do is dunk and block which he has a huge advantage over because of his height],Ben Wallace a great defensive showstopper but if you would have to narrow it down it should be the final THREE with Tim Duncan,Shaq,and Kevin Garnett
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">In a few years from now who is going to be considered the best big man of our time? The two front-runners for 'our time' is going to be Shaq O'neal and Tim Duncan. Over the past decade these two have been the dominant players in the league and have been to several NBA Finals. Both players have won the league MVP award, are perennial All-Stars, and have been NBA 1st Teamers. 2005 - Duncan 2004 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2003 - Duncan 2002 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2001 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 2000 - Shaq (w/Lakers) 1999 - Duncan (short season) 1995 - Shaq (w/Magic) Shaq has been to more NBA Finals, but assuming Duncan wins the ring this year, he will tie Shaq with 3 rings each. Does this ring put Duncan on the same level as Shaq? If not what will it take for Duncan to be considered better than Shaq?</div> ok even though Kevin Garnett is not on this list he did make it to the western conference ginals in 2004 but lost to shaq's team [the lakers were a better OVERALL team than the t'wolves and Kevin Garnett was way better than shaq considering he was the mvp of that season
