Jermaine O'Neal vs. Elton Brand

[Lebron23]

Who do you think was the better player during their prime?? Both of these guys were former ALL NBA teams members, multiple NBA All stars and former MVP Candidates.


http://www.posters.ws/images/918282/jermaine_o_neal_03_04_action_photofile.jpg

http://www.geocities.ws/NBA_Superstars2002/images/Player-pics/Elton_Brand21.jpg

[L.Kizzle]

O'Neal was better.

[Meticode]

Overall? O'Neal, his rim protection was something Elton Brand never had.

Also, he had a great sliding dragon punch in The Malice at the Palace

http://www.slamonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/jopunch.gif

[Xiao Yao You]

JO

[VIP2000]

Jermaine O'Neal was a MVP candidate for several seasons, whereas Brand was an MVP candidate for only one (05-06).

[HylianNightmare]

Jo

[WillC]

This is a very interesting comparison and, strangely enough, one that I'd been thinking about recently having watched the 2003 to 2008 All-Star Games* on consecutive days (I had some free time).

Both players are underrated today - people forget how good they were. Most people remember that Jermaine O'Neal was a star but not many fans talk about Elton Brand despite the fact he put up 24.7ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.6apg and 2.2bpg at his peak.

(The only other players in NBA history to do so? Abdul-Jabbar, The Admiral, Shaq, Olajuwon, Ewing and Duncan)

It's incredibly close, but I'd take Brand over O'Neal. He shot at a better percentage, has better career totals, had an equal peak but better prime (I hate that term, but it applies here), equally good shot-blockers and rebounders (Brand was better per game, but O'Neal were better per minute), etc. For what it's worth, Brand had much better advanced statistics (PER, WS and WS/48).

In terms of the eye test, O'Neal's height was valuable and he had some great post-up moves, but Brand was a beast - strong, athletic and skilled.

*I'm somewhat obsessed with the All-Star Games and have every game since 1984 on DVD and have watched them at least 3 or 4 times each. And obviously watched them live too.

[wally_world]

JO is underrated as an offensive player. But Brand is getting wayyyy underrated as a defensive stopper. It's still a really close comparison. I would take Brand had his prime not been shortened. Incredible how he led that Clippers squad to 7 games in the 2nd round. Who did they have? Retiring Cassell, injured Maggette, QUINTON ROSS :hammerhead:

[Noyze]

JO played in a slow system. He was more productive then the numbers show. Could have averaged 22-24 per if Indy didn't have so many weapons. O'neal blocked shots and finished at the rim with his left hand almost as much as his right. Brand was an Ox, very strong post defender. His mid range shot was wet. I remember in an interview for Adidas, back when Duncan and KG were there, they talked about how hard Elton Brand was to guard.

[miles berg]

JO

[FatComputerNerd]

JO was always overrated.

Brand was a beast.


Give me Brand nine times out of ten.