Who would you rather start a team with, Shaq or LeBron

[jongib369]

http://www.thesportsmemorabiliastore.com/images/Shaq_Mgc_FT_8x10.jpg

http://comedicprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LeBron-James-Cleveland.jpg

GO

[NewYorkNoPicks]

shaq...if he changed his attitude

[Segatti]

Shaq would have smash this league into pieces with today's centers.

[Whoah10115]

James.




Shaq would have smash this league into pieces with today's centers.



More good centers today than in Shaq's peak. That's obvious.

[Just2McFly]

James. I actually want my players to be in shape during their prime.

[lilgodfather1]

Knowing what we know about them now, or at the time when they were actually rookies?

Either way Shaq because you always go big man over wing player.

[selrahc]

obviously shaq

[NewYorkNoPicks]

James.







More good centers today than in Shaq's peak. That's obvious.

trolling hard bruh?

the center in your avatar would be a 3 time MVP in this weak era of big men

[Fiasco]

Would the refs actually call fouls on Shaq?

[DMV2]

Based on their previous college or high school experience, I'd go with Shaq.

Based on what we know now, I'd go with LeBron. Cleveland should thank LeBron for staying in Cleveland after his rookie contract. LeBron should have bolted out of there after his rookie contract was through.

[ihoopallday]

Shaq without a doubt. Just hope he'd increase his work ethic so he can play longer.

[outbreak]

Shaq. Even if he'd stay with Orlando he looked like he would eventually get it done alone

[CavaliersFTW]

Based on their previous college or high school experience, I'd go with Shaq.

Based on what we know now, I'd go with LeBron. Cleveland should thank LeBron for staying in Cleveland after his rookie contract. LeBron should have bolted out of there after his rookie contract was through.
You deserve to be punched in the throat repeatedly :mad:

[noob cake]

Dwight Howard..

Who are the other centers in the league again?

[inclinerator]

depends on the team

[Legends66NBA7]

More good centers today than in Shaq's peak. That's obvious.

Obvious that Prime Shaq would smash them to pieces ?

[Odinn]

It's close but clear. Shaq.

Better playoff performer. Better finals performer. In the playoffs, Shaq can be the toughest guy on the court for get the win. Without an exception. I don't remember a playoff game that Shaq quitted on his team. On the other hand, LeBron...
Also LeBron is great at play making, but Shaq is probably the most doubled player in the history, imo Shaq makes it easier for his teammates.

Both players had issues with "being a franchise player". Shaq was a cry-baby and you have The Decision for LeBron. They are not Duncan or Bird or Magic or Russell.

That's why I'd go with better player / better playoff performer.

[IGotACoolStory]

LeBron for marketing purposes.

Because both will leave your team anyway. Might as well go for the cash. And if I had the balls to trade LeBron mid-contract, I think I would get more back.

[DMV2]

You deserve to be punched in the throat repeatedly :mad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN0WqSeCKW8

[Suckafree]

LeBron for marketing purposes.

Because both will leave your team anyway. Might as well go for the cash. And if I had the balls to trade LeBron mid-contract, I think I would get more back.

I dunno, Shaq was a pretty marketable fellow. Probably the second biggest star the game has ever seen aside from Jordan. From a commercial standpoint anyway.

[Mr. Incredible]

If I were to start an NBA franchise and I had the #1 pick it would be Jordan.

If I had #2 I'd take LeBron.

Because in the end, the all time ranks will look like:

1. MJ
2. LeBron

So on and so forth

[DuMa]

well they'll both leave me when free agency comes along :( but at least james will sign my first contract extension. so LBJ

[Smoke117]

Shaq.

[Micku]

Varejao, Gasolx2, Timmy, KG, Noah, Bynum, Cousins, Pekovic, Monroe, Horford, Hibbert, Nene, Okafor, Gortat, Bogut, Chandler, Asik, Perkins.

Stop actin like this is a weak era for center just new rules that has made it harder for big men but still there is a lot of good centers.

It is a weak era for centers in comparison to other eras in terms of that there is no star comparable to likes of Kareem, Shaq, Hakeem, David Robinson, Ewing and other the great centers in the past. The new rules change the concept of playing, because perimeter have it easier to control the game nowadays. Zone defense would also increase the help, but Shaq still dominated despite the zone. And none of these centers are really stars like the centers of the 90s and below. Don't have the skillset, post game, or the aggressiveness.

But yeah, Shaq would dominate this era. It does depend on a team to build around. Shaq is more unstoppable than LeBron and would probably be more valuable in this era, but it depends on who he has.

[plowking]

I dunno, Shaq was a pretty marketable fellow. Probably the second biggest star the game has ever seen aside from Jordan. From a commercial standpoint anyway.

I remember in a poll during the mid 90's that Shaq was actually voted more popular than Jordan at the time. Could just be the specific group that voted in the poll, but it was awful close, and Shaq was ridiculously popular over his time in the NBA.

To answer the question, Shaq.

[pauk]

Lebron, for the same reason i would pick Jordan, Bird, Oscar or Magic over Shaq (or anybody else in NBA history). I prefer more allround basketball players like that...

[greymatter]

It's close. In this era's weak crop of centers, you'd have to go with Shaq. Any other era, I'd go with Lebron because he's far more durable and versatile. He's also not a liability in close games due to horrid FT shooting.

[ThaRegul8r]

Shaq.

[Graviton]

Shaq wouldn't be as dominant in the current era with all the rule changes. He would foul out fast, no ref is gonna let him elbow people in the chest. His aggressiveness would get him lot of techs and today's lightning quick PGs would get him in foul trouble. Shaq would average something like 26/12 on 60%, but he wouldn't be the same monster.

I would take Lebron for the current perimeter orientated era. His versatility and extended prime is more valuable than Shaq's short term domination, which he wouldn't achieve with today's rules.

[tmacattack33]

Lebron's already had 8 great years (every year besides his rookie year).

Shaq had 11 (I'll count ever year he was in Orlando except for one year where he was injured, and every year of his in LA).

I can easily see Lebron having another 3-4 great years (including this year). Which will trump what Shaq did.

And this is also why, barring major injury, Lebron will probably end up ahead of Shaq on almost everyone's legacy list.

[arifgokcen]

We will have to wait and see but at this point based on playoff performances you have to take shaq.However seeing how lebron is playing its very probable that everyone will pick him over shaq in 3-4 years.

[pauk]

It's close. In this era's weak crop of centers, you'd have to go with Shaq. Any other era, I'd go with Lebron because he's far more durable and versatile. He's also not a liability in close games due to horrid FT shooting.

Would you turn down Jordan aswell because of that reason? No you wouldnt, for that same reason is why you just cant turn down Lebron....

I understand if we were talking about Wade or Kobe or something, but this is Lebron... a guy who already is knocking on the Top 10 door at 27 (see where Shaq was at that age), hence with potential/time to be even GOAT.... Its a guy that can dominate up to 4 positions offensively and can efficiently guard all positions defensively and is a 30 point triple double machine.... he is the most versatile player in NBA history, factor in his athleticism and how he uses it he just might arguably be the most unique player ever... he is not your average superstar...

[avonbarksdale]

hard since we already know what shaq has done, lebron is still going, but id say shaq for now

[Spaulding]

Shaq.

Remember though, Lebron is still in his prime and may exceeds Shaq's prime. We do not know yet.

[Whoah10115]

trolling hard bruh?

the center in your avatar would be a 3 time MVP in this weak era of big men



Shit, I didn't know Shaq's peak was in the mid 90's. Read again.

[Money 23]

LeBron, w/o question.

Did more with less talent. Is easily the bigger draw / money maker. Is more durable, will put it more effort.

All in all he's just the superior player. Clearly. He'll probably wind up with comparable ring totals, too.

[Whoah10115]

Alonzo
Robinson
Dikembe
Ewing was good in 99-00 (tho nowhere near Ewing)
Ben Wallace (00 and on)
Theo Ratliff
Rik Smits (only in 99-00)
Yao Ming (02-03)


I'm literally keeping this to Shaq's true prime: 99-03. If you all want, we could make it 97-03.



How many good centers were there, consistently, between that time?

[Legends66NBA7]

How many good centers were there, consistently, between that time?

What does it matter ?

It's not like any center back then or now is stopping prime Shaq. The elite group of centers Shaq faced is still greater than what prime Howard is facing and Shaq more than held his own against those elite centers.

Going up against today's centers doesn't seem like a big problem to prime Shaq at all. It's the rule changes that would be the problem, which by the way... was also partly because of containing Shaq.

[rodman91]

Shaq, no doubt.

[bigt]

I don't get why people are trying to knock Shaq down in this conversation by saying the centre position is any stronger or weaker than a particular era. The reason Shaq had arguably the most dominant peak years of all time was not because of the relative strength of opposition centre's, it's because peak Shaq was ridiculously overpowered. 7+ feet tall, a big body to match his aggressive offensive game and underrated passing abilities. There's no way any centre currently in the league is stopping prime shaq.

Interestingly enough, Lebron is one of the few other guys out there who can spout a similar argument. A skillset that lets him play effectively from positions 1-4 where he so easily mismatches any opponent it's unfair.

Ultimately, I would always pick the big man in this situation, especially if we are pretending we don't know what we do now (making it realistic if we were making this call) but I can completely understand why someone would pick Lebron over him, especially in this era where the rules (thanks to Shaq...) aren't as kind on his game

[Whoah10115]

What does it matter ?

It's not like any center back then or now is stopping prime Shaq. The elite group of centers Shaq faced is still greater than what prime Howard is facing and Shaq more than held his own against those elite centers.

Going up against today's centers doesn't seem like a big problem to prime Shaq at all. It's the rule changes that would be the problem, which by the way... was also partly because of containing Shaq.




It matters because he said "today's centers", as if Shaq would be even more unstoppable. What I'm saying about centers has nothing to do with whether I'd take Shaq or Lebron.

[Micku]

It matters because he said "today's centers", as if Shaq would be even more unstoppable. What I'm saying about centers has nothing to do with whether I'd take Shaq or Lebron.

I somehow think that Shaq would be more valuable if that's possible.

It'll be similar to the early 2000 though. As someone said, it really doesn't matter. It's like any center today could guard him better than they did back then. It's more of a competition thing on who is the best center, which Shaq would win obviously.

I would say something though, it would be very interesting to see KG and Bosh try to guard Shaq since they are playing the center position now. Perkins too, lol.





Alonzo
Robinson
Dikembe
Ewing was good in 99-00 (tho nowhere near Ewing)
Ben Wallace (00 and on)
Theo Ratliff
Rik Smits (only in 99-00)
Yao Ming (02-03)


I'm literally keeping this to Shaq's true prime: 99-03. If you all want, we could make it 97-03.

How many good centers were there, consistently, between that time?


A few more.

Vlade Divac, Jermaine O'Neal, Antonio McDyess, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brad Miller, Marcus Camby, and Jamaal Magloire.

[Poetry]

He would foul out fast, no ref is gonna let him elbow people in the chest. His aggressiveness would get him lot of techs...

http://thecensus.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/b6yi44.gif

[AussieG]

Imagine if Shaq could shoot FT's..

[Champ]

I'd take a peak Shaq over most any player in NBA history.

One of the all-time basketball juggernauts.

[scandisk_]

I'd take Shaq over MJ (given without the benefit of hindsight)

so Shaq easily

[Rasheed1]

Shaq

[rmt]

Shaq

[Whoah10115]

I somehow think that Shaq would be more valuable if that's possible.

It'll be similar to the early 2000 though. As someone said, it really doesn't matter. It's like any center today could guard him better than they did back then. It's more of a competition thing on who is the best center, which Shaq would win obviously.

I would say something though, it would be very interesting to see KG and Bosh try to guard Shaq since they are playing the center position now. Perkins too, lol.




A few more.

Vlade Divac, Jermaine O'Neal, Antonio McDyess, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brad Miller, Marcus Camby, and Jamaal Magloire.



Good list. McDyess was a PF tho, especially then.


First I would say there's almost no chance that Bosh or KG would be playing C with Shaq in the league...at least not in the games vs him. That would be suicide. Second, Dwight Howard is a great player. I don't think Shaq gets away with as much against great players. And I don't mean his game, but as far as officiating goes. Would they let him commit murder on Tim Duncan?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Shaq for now. We gotta see what Bron does the next couple years though.

[Bigsmoke]

Shaq because of his Finals stats


I'd take Shaq over MJ (given without the benefit of hindsight)

so Shaq easily

then be ready for lazyness, 50% freethrow shooting, and more lazyness beside just picking the G.O.A.T.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Not surprising who I'd pick, but I will say that the fact that this question is being asked and it isn't trolling shows how great Lebron has been. I'll take Shaq because he'll score at least as much, if not more as a post player who is imo, the biggest physical mismatch in NBA history. And he's a guy who will use that advantage throughout a game, there won't be a question of settling. He knew who he was and how he could dominate. He also showed me a lot by how quick he bought into the triangle and how quick he was comfortable in it. A lot of players have struggled to fit their game in to that system. Defensively, despite Shaq often being lazy, I still think being a big shot blocker, who will also take away the other center's post game most of the time is more impactful than a perimeter defender most of the time. I will say that this isn't clear cut because more recently Lebron has become an excellent help defender and plays harder at that end on a consistent basis. But then you have the times when Shaq was motivated and playing hard defensively, and those peaks are impossible for Lebron to compete with.

[Bigsmoke]

Not surprising who I'd pick, but I will say that the fact that this question is being asked and it isn't trolling shows how great Lebron has been. I'll take Shaq because he'll score at least as much, if not more as a post player who is imo, the biggest physical mismatch in NBA history. And he's a guy who will use that advantage throughout a game, there won't be a question of settling. He knew who he was and how he could dominate. He also showed me a lot by how quick he bought into the triangle and how quick he was comfortable in it. A lot of players have struggled to fit their game in to that system. Defensively, despite Shaq often being lazy, I still think being a big shot blocker, who will also take away the other center's post game most of the time is more impactful than a perimeter defender most of the time. I will say that this isn't clear cut because more recently Lebron has become an excellent help defender and plays harder at that end on a consistent basis. But then you have the times when Shaq was motivated and playing hard defensively, and those peaks are impossible for Lebron to compete with.

at what u said was true but why didn't you bring up Shaq's Finals stats? they were :eek:

[ShaqAttack3234]

at what u said was true but why didn't you bring up Shaq's Finals stats? they were :eek:

Well, anyone can look them up. Plus, what impressed me far more than the stats was just watching him dominate on the court. When you get to the level of Shaq or Lebron, stats don't really tell you that much. Especially in a game like basketball where so much doesn't show up in a boxscore, and your stats can also be affected by the system you play in, the era, or your teammates.

[Sharmer]

Shaq, the skills he brings are more rare, he was the most dominate big man of his era, too bad he had a relationship breakdown in LA, we could only imagine how rings he could have won.

He was unlucky with injury with the Celtics, when he was healthy, they were beating all the good teams by a big margin. I have little doubt they would have won that year.

[LoneyROY7]

Would you turn down Jordan aswell because of that reason? No you wouldnt, for that same reason is why you just cant turn down Lebron....

I understand if we were talking about Wade or Kobe or something, but this is Lebron... a guy who already is knocking on the Top 10 door at 27 (see where Shaq was at that age), hence with potential/time to be even GOAT.... Its a guy that can dominate up to 4 positions offensively and can efficiently guard all positions defensively and is a 30 point triple double machine.... he is the most versatile player in NBA history, factor in his athleticism and how he uses it he just might arguably be the most unique player ever... he is not your average superstar...

http://gifguppy.com/css/images/movies/bartonfink/goodmanrage.gif

http://gifguppy.com/css/images/movies/officespace/sinkintochair.gif

[ZaaaaaH]

Would you turn down Jordan aswell because of that reason? No you wouldnt, for that same reason is why you just cant turn down Lebron....

I understand if we were talking about Wade or Kobe or something, but this is Lebron... a guy who already is knocking on the Top 10 door at 27 (see where Shaq was at that age), hence with potential/time to be even GOAT.... Its a guy that can dominate up to 4 positions offensively and can efficiently guard all positions defensively and is a 30 point triple double machine.... he is the most versatile player in NBA history, factor in his athleticism and how he uses it he just might arguably be the most unique player ever... he is not your average superstar...

:facepalm


This kid is just Sad

so we all know now these are little boys or LeBron Fanboy

whoah10115
Just2McFly
inclinerator
Mr.Incredible
Duma
Pauk
Graviton
Money 23

Much as I like LeBron but COME ON MAN ~

SHAQ is the Ultimate Franchise Player to Build around

[KyrieTheFuture]

This depends entirely on where I am located in the US. If I'm not in LA or Miami then LeBron because Shaq's ass is leaving ASAP especially if my team is him and scrubs.

[Fudge]

In todays league? Shaq easily.

[ripthekik]

Shaq.

If I took Lebron I'd have to get 2 other max superstars otherwise my team wouldn't win. I'd also have to take the chance that he'd quit on my team, even on the biggest stage in the finals. No thanks.

Shaq.

[No_Look604]

The non-corny-cheesy one..so Shaq! He would murder the league today and this is coming from a guy who cheered for those sactown kings.

[Is He Ill]

Shaq, no question. I'll take Lebron to start a team with over any current player in the league, with the exception of KD.

[Duncan21formvp]

Shaq