Is Lebron James replacing Shaq as Most Dominant Ever?

[iamgine]

Never before have we seen the combination of size, power, speed and passing ability as Lebron James. We have seen him singlehandedly carry a team to the finals before. Lebron's numbers are also good enough to challenge the title of MDE from Shaq.

[KingLeBronJames]

LeBron as the most dominant ever and soon the be the greatest of all time? He's better than all the greats in the NBA. Michael, Magic, Kobe, Bird, everybody.

[oh the horror]

LeBron as the most dominant ever and soon the be the greatest of all time? He's better than all the greats in the NBA. Michael, Magic, Kobe, Bird, everybody.



Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm

[YAWN]

:lol

[Derrick]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm
Im taking a break from ish for the summer if that happens.

[oh the horror]

Im taking a break from ish for the summer if that happens.



NO KIDDING.

[Lebron23]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm


He's a kobe fan pretending to be a LeBron fan.

[Velocirap31]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm

:lol

[Kews1]

Lebron isnt on Shaqs level of dominance. He wont ever be

[Lebron23]

Im taking a break from ish for the summer if that happens.


Good Bye Sonnnnnnn. Do you remember our permaban bet?

[imdaman99]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm
:roll: i think he was being sarcastic... at least i hope he was :roll:

[Carbine]

How quickly you forget.

I promise you if prime Shaq was in the league right now, there would be hardly any debate from neutral observers.

[inclinerator]

no, in the 3rd quarter he didnt post up like the first half which dissapointed me

[oh the horror]

Also I'd like to add, the problem with shit like this is that by the extreme overrating, we dont have an actual chance to soak up with Lebron is doing in the moment.


He wins a few MVPs, and a ring say...and then you get people like ..


"OMG HES THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!"



No. He's not. Maybe he might be in due time. He wins some more rings, puts up some great numbers again, and again, has magical moments...defies and shows heart, grit, and such....then yeah, after his career is over, we can talk about that.



For now? Dude is having a great run so far....and may win a ring after a fantastic season. It is what it is. It doesnt erase his blunders yet though.

[ThaRegul8r]

He's played more recently than Shaq has, so of course he would be more dominant. Everyone knows contemporary players are more dominant than past players.

[oh the horror]

How quickly you forget.

I promise you if prime Shaq was in the league right now, there would be hardly any debate from neutral observers.


ESPECIALLY with the crop of big men in the league now? My god, Shaq would be feasting :oldlol:

[Kurosawa0]

I think LeBron will ultimately be the better player, but no one has ever been as dominant as prime Shaq. No one probably ever will be.

[Lebron23]

LeBron is only averaging 30.5 ppg on 46.5 FG%. He needs to score 40 points in Game 4 and 5.

[chips93]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/profile.php?do=addlist&userlist=ignore&u=902

[iamgine]

How quickly you forget.

I promise you if prime Shaq was in the league right now, there would be hardly any debate from neutral observers.
Eh? Who was Shaq going against in early 2000s?

Current Dwight Howard is better than all of them.

[tpols]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm
Yup.:oldlol: There will be many proclaiming him top 5-8.

[305Baller]

Bringing this question up shows ignorance at the least, insanity at the most.

Shaq brought intense ferocity when he was hungry.
Like Currensy would say...King Kong had shit on him.

[dazzer87]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[jlauber]

Never before have we seen the combination of size, power, speed and passing ability as Lebron James. We have seen him singlehandedly carry a team to the finals before. Lebron's numbers are also good enough to challenge the title of MDE from Shaq.

Hmmm...

Chamberlain was over 7-1; weighed 280+ pounds; was considered among the strongest ATHLETES in the WORLD at the time; had a 7-8 wingspan; was a college HIGH-JUMP champion; at age 27, and at 290 lbs, was clocked at 4.6 in the 40 by none other than Hank Stram (and Wilt claimed that he ran a 4.4 in college); WON an ASSIST title; and single-handedly carried his '64 team to the Finals (as well as carrying two others to game seven, 2 and 1, point losses, against the vaunted Celtic Dynasty.

[MetsPackers]

Lebron seems to fade in and out of games at times without being able to score. 8 minutes could go by and for some reason, the guy won't have a single good touch. However, we all know what he can do otherwise

Prime Shaq however COULD NOT BE STOPPED. You were not going to take him out of defense. Double team? Doesn't matter. Fresh bodies? Doesn't matter. Hack a Shaq? yolo. He was constantly impacting the game even without the ball, whereas Lebron can disappear at times

[Velocirap31]

Hmmm...

Chamberlain was over 7-1; weighed 280+ pounds; was considered among the strongest ATHLETES in the WORLD at the time; had a 7-8 wingspan; was a college HIGH-JUMP champion; at age 27, and at 290 lbs, was clocked at 4.6 in the 40 by none other than Hank Stram (and Wilt claimed that he ran a 4.4 in college); WON an ASSIST title; and single-handedly carried his '64 team to the Finals (as well as carrying two others to game seven, 2 and 1, point losses, against the vaunted Celtic Dynasty.

Wilt played his best ball when our parents were born. We only know his name and that he scored 100 points once.

[iamgine]

Hmmm...

Chamberlain was over 7-1; weighed 280+ pounds; was considered among the strongest ATHLETES in the WORLD at the time; had a 7-8 wingspan; was a college HIGH-JUMP champion; at age 27, and at 290 lbs, was clocked at 4.6 in the 40 by none other than Hank Stram (and Wilt claimed that he ran a 4.4 in college); WON an ASSIST title; and single-handedly carried his '64 team to the Finals (as well as carrying two others to game seven, 2 and 1, point losses, against the vaunted Celtic Dynasty.
When Wilt won his assist title, he only scored 20-24 ppg. That's pretty bad considering the pace and weakness of the era.

[OmniStrife]

Nope. Shaq was more dominant.
However you might name him today's mini-Shaq since he's the most dominant today...

[jlauber]

When Wilt won his assist title, he only scored 20-24 ppg. That's pretty bad considering the pace and weakness of the era.

Assists were actually more DIFFICULT to come by back then than they are today. He also LED the league in rebounding, and by a large margin, at 24.3 rpg. And he also shot .683 from the floor while scoring that 24.1 ppg (which is topped only by his '73 season mark of .727 all-time.) And, he was probably blocking around 8+ shots per game, too.

[tpols]

Assists were actually more DIFFICULT to come by back then than they are today. He also LED the league in rebounding, and by a large margin, at 24.3 rpg. And he also shot .683 from the floor while scoring that 24.1 ppg (which is topped only by his '73 season mark of .727 all-time.) And, he was probably blocking around 8+ shots per game, too.
While also leading the league by a HUGE margin in WPG(women per game played) and CRUSHING his competition in total MLK(mountain lions killed).

[iamgine]

Assists were actually more DIFFICULT to come by back then than they are today. He also LED the league in rebounding, and by a large margin, at 24.3 rpg. And he also shot .683 from the floor while scoring that 24.1 ppg (which is topped only by his '73 season mark of .727 all-time.) And, he was probably blocking around 8+ shots per game, too.
:oldlol: Considering the weakness and pace of the era, nope.

[jlauber]

While also leading the league by a HUGE margin in WPG(women per game played) and CRUSHING his competition in total MLK(mountain lions killed).

Exactly.

[oh the horror]

Still thinking about how hilarious this question is.


Clearly the people that dont have a clue, were like 8 or 9 years old back in 2000-2001

Shaq was a MONSTER.

[SCdac]

Eh? Who was Shaq going against in early 2000s?

Current Dwight Howard is better than all of them.

Tim Duncan + David Robinson, Ben Wallace in his DPOY days, Mutombo?

I agree there weren't a ton of great bigs but it wasn't a complete ghost land. prime Duncan would arguably be the best player in the league right now. It'd be between him and and Lebron, that's it. Shaq lead the Lakers to an 8-1 playoff record against the Spurs in 2001 and 2002, the latter being one of Duncan's MVP seasons.

[iamgine]

Tim Duncan + David Robinson, Ben Wallace in his DPOY days, Mutombo?

I agree there weren't a ton of great bigs but it wasn't a complete ghost land. prime Duncan would arguably be the best player in the league right now. It'd be between him and and Lebron, that's it. Shaq lead the Lakers to an 8-1 playoff record against the Spurs in 2001 and 2002, the latter being one of Duncan's MVP seasons.
I guess old Drob counts. He was pretty good. Nowhere as good as current Dwight though. I'll give Duncan but that's about it.

Mutombo and Ben was one dimensional players who only challenged Shaq on one end. Bynum would've been more of a challenge.

[General]

Shaq lead the Lakers to an 8-1 playoff record against the Spurs in 2001 and 2002, the latter being one of Duncan's MVP seasons.
2001 WCF
Kobe 33 points a game, 7 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Shaq 27 points a game, 13 Rebounds, 2 Assists

2002 WCSF
Kobe 26 points a game, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Shaq 21 points a game, 12 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Kobe tore the Spurs up.

[Velocirap31]

2001 WCF
Kobe 33 points a game, 7 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Shaq 27 points a game, 13 Rebounds, 2 Assists

2002 WCSF
Kobe 26 points a game, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Shaq 21 points a game, 12 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Kobe tore the Spurs up.

You should post fga for both players. That might hinder your point though.

[Tenchi Ryu]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm
God help us all.

[SCdac]

2001 WCF
Kobe 33 points a game, 7 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Shaq 27 points a game, 13 Rebounds, 2 Assists

2002 WCSF
Kobe 26 points a game, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Shaq 21 points a game, 12 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Kobe tore the Spurs up.

Kobe against SA in 01 didn't average 7 assists, he averaged 5.7 to Shaq's 3 apg. Where are you getting your stats.

True Kobe tore it up, but Shaq went up against Duncan and Robinson in the paint. He matched up with both of them plenty of times in the early-mid 2000's. Shaq against SA was putting up 3 bpg in 2002, and was clearly the most valuable piece in the three-peat.

[konex]

He's certainly playing like Shaq this series. Anyone have his shot chart? I bet he has less than 5 made shots from outside the paint in all 3 games combined. OKC needs to be doubling him all game if they want to win this series

[General]

Kobe against SA in 01 didn't average 7 assists, he averaged 5.7 to Shaq's 3 apg. Where are you getting your stats.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2001_WCF.html

[SCdac]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2001_WCF.html

aw I was looking at espn.com which is missing a game I believe... do you think Shaq was generally the most important on the team during the three-peat, including against the Spurs?

[General]

aw I was looking at espn.com which is missing a game I believe... do you think Shaq was generally the most important on the team during the three-peat, including against the Spurs?
Yes, but Kobe played a HUGE role in that three-peat. Kobe often gets undermined when someone mentions his first three championships as if he was only a role player. He wasn't, he was dominant, he was a top 3 player in the league in 2001 and 2002.

[Round Mound]

Jordan was More Dominant
Wilt was More Dominant.

*I say this as a Lebron Fan "I Think He Is The Best Player In the World the Last 4 or 5 Years"

[MaxFly]

This is going to be a long summer if LeBron is able to pull out a championship. It looks promising for the heat, though.


You should post fga for both players. That might hinder your point though.

In 2001, Bryant shot 51.4% to Shaq's 54.1% against the Spurs. http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2001_WCF.html

In 2002, Bryant shot 45.5% to Shaq's 44.7% against the Spurs. http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200205140LAL.html

It doesn't seem to hinder his point.

[jbryan1984]

He has quite a while to go to catch Shaq if you are talking truly dominant. I don't think anyone in the modern era will be more dominant than Shaq was.

[rzp]

He is the Shaq of the sf's.

[Haymaker]

I bet the OP didn't see Shaq play during his best years.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Lebron>>>Shaq

[alenleomessi]

He is surely the most dominant since Shaq... More dominant than him? I dont think so

[Nash]

The way Lebron has dominated at a highly skillful position in SF is way more impressing than Shaq dominating at center. Don't forget that the league always has a very small amount of quality centers while there are ALWAYS plenty of good SF's that Lebron has to go up against every night.

[Bigsmoke]

The way Lebron has dominated at a highly skillful position in SF is way more impressing than Shaq dominating at center. Don't forget that the league always has a very small amount of quality centers while there are ALWAYS plenty of good SF's that Lebron has to go up against every night.

Shaq did pretty well in the 90's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCkU2fKK4_4

[Psileas]

Hmmm...

Chamberlain was over 7-1; weighed 280+ pounds; was considered among the strongest ATHLETES in the WORLD at the time; had a 7-8 wingspan; was a college HIGH-JUMP champion; at age 27, and at 290 lbs, was clocked at 4.6 in the 40 by none other than Hank Stram (and Wilt claimed that he ran a 4.4 in college); WON an ASSIST title; and single-handedly carried his '64 team to the Finals (as well as carrying two others to game seven, 2 and 1, point losses, against the vaunted Celtic Dynasty.

Wilt wasn't bulldozing his opponents or dunking with as much strength as he could, which is what constitutes dominance for most people here, so he can't be the MDE...

[TheMan]

Christ, is this what we have to look forward to if Bron wins ONE ring?

:facepalm
The circlejerk between LeBronytes will be nauseating, it has already started.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Lebron is shooting 15% on jumpshots this series; for a perimeter player that doesn't exactly spell dominant.

He's been GREAT, but not unworldly (e.g., "MDE" like Shaq was from 2000-02).

[Doranku]

Lebron is shooting 15% on jumpshots this series; for a perimeter player that doesn't exactly spell dominant.

He's been GREAT, but not unworldly (e.g., "MDE" like Shaq was from 2000-02).

This. With the pace that Miami plays at, the fact that he plays alongside another perimeter player who can break down defenses off the dribble, and how the refs make him virtually untouchable, it's not hard to see how he's averaging 30 a game despite being PUTRID on jump shots

[DirtySanchez]

Ummm no.

The series LeBron is in is very competitive.
Durant so far has matched his play and come on...this series is still fall fromover.

Now look at Shaq....compare the next bigman to hom at the time in his prime. There is a reason Shaq won three in a row and dominated is easy fashion.

[DirtySanchez]

Lebron>>>Shaq

You're dumb.

[TheMan]

Helpful tip, those who claim LeBron is dominating like Shaq did never saw prime Shaq or else you wouldn't be saying that...must be kids.

[tmacattack33]

The most dominant player of all time is the greatest player of all time.


The 47th most dominant player of all time is the 47t greatest player of all time (on a "greatest" list that compares players and their peak performance, not their legacy and accomplishments which is a whole other list).



There is no difference. And I think the first instance of someone separating the two was Bill Walton on NBA on NBC in 2000 or so. And then the viewers took it and ran with it.

It really makes no sense. Dominance = being dominant at something. The better you are, the more dominant you are.

[CavaliersFTW]

Never before have we seen the combination of size, power, speed and passing ability as Lebron James. We have seen him singlehandedly carry a team to the finals before. Lebron's numbers are also good enough to challenge the title of MDE from Shaq.
Not possible seeing as how Shaq isn't the most dominant ever.