How good would prime Shaq be in this era?

[iamgine]

I heard he was one of the worst PnR defender.

And he can be hacked on offense.

Wouldn't teams today just PnR him to death while hacking him on the other end? Therefore making him a huge liability on defense with above average offense. With the rise of shooting, I feel an ATG like Shaq might just be at the level of Nikola Vucevic today.

[SouBeachTalents]

He'd be ight

[light]

I heard he was one of the worst PnR defender.

And he can be hacked on offense.

Wouldn't teams today just PnR him to death while hacking him on the other end? Therefore making him a huge liability on defense with above average offense. With the rise of shooting, I feel an ATG like Shaq might just be at the level of Nikola Vucevic today.

He was simply too big, too strong, too quick & too athletic to be able to limit effectively in any era. He was not actually a liability on defense. He was a 3x All-Defensive player and his size and athleticism alone made him a useful defender.

[Axe]

Back in the day, he was more concerned about scoring over defending and rebounding. If he played today, he could be the same more or less.

[1987_Lakers]

I heard he was one of the worst PnR defender.

And he can be hacked on offense.

Wouldn't teams today just PnR him to death while hacking him on the other end? Therefore making him a huge liability on defense with above average offense. With the rise of shooting, I feel an ATG like Shaq might just be at the level of Nikola Vucevic today.

lol, you don't even believe this. Sure, he might be worse defensively in today's NBA, but he would still be a positive defender because of his rim protection alone. Surround him with shooters to space the floor and he is just as dominant offensively today as he was at his peak. To this day I've never seen a more dominant offensive force than '00 & '01 Shaq and his passing ability goes unnoticed for some reason, very underrated in that department.

[Xiao Yao You]

lol, you don't even believe this. Sure, he might be worse defensively in today's NBA, but he would still be a positive defender because of his rim protection alone. Surround him with shooters to space the floor and he is just as dominant offensively today as he was at his peak. To this day I've never seen a more dominant offensive force than '00 & '01 Shaq and his passing ability goes unnoticed for some reason, very underrated in that department.

The rim protection wouldn't matter if he can't defend in space.

[1987_Lakers]

The rim protection wouldn't matter if he can't defend in space.

Sure it would. Teams would not be running pick and rolls on Shaq on every single play and there are still a handful a centers out there that don't have much range on their shot which would be a perfect matchup for Shaq, I understand that in today's league he would be exposed to more pick and rolls and more bad matchups, but having an elite rim protector can do marvels for a defense.

[iamgine]

Sure it would. Teams would not be running pick and rolls on Shaq on every single play and there are still a handful a centers out there that don't have much range on their shot which would be a perfect matchup for Shaq, I understand that in today's league he would be exposed to more pick and rolls and more bad matchups, but having an elite rim protector can do marvels for a defense.
Why wouldn't they though, at least for a significant portion of the game.

[Uncle Drew]

With the rise of shooting, I feel an ATG like Shaq might just be at the level of Nikola Vucevic today.

Well then, that's enough ISH for the day.

[dankok8]

Young Shaq was very mobile. He was about 280 lbs and could run the floor impressively well and could definitely defend P&R with a passing grade. Playing today he would keep his peak weight around 300 lbs as opposed to 350 lbs. He would average 35/15 on >60% shooting at his peak and completely destroy the league. Honestly the league would probably have to reintroduce some degree of physicality to allow teams to defend him. Kids on here don't understand what a monster Shaq was.

[highwhey]

a lot of it would depend on how the refs treat him, bc he got away with a lot back then. nowadays if you breathe hard on your defender, you're getting called for a flagrant.

[Marchesk]

Who is stopping Shaq on offense? He'd be even more efficient in today's space out era with weaker bigs, who he'd routinely get into foul trouble.

[rawimpact]

Anyone that thinks Shaq would be worse does not understand the size and power advantage he had even during his time going up against Barkley or Oakley - much more physical undersized guys.

I'd be willing to say Barkley and Oakley are still bigger than the modern center.

Shaq would eat them alive. Pair him with even average 3pt shooters and you have a scary line up.

[Marchesk]

Hey OP, how is Zion doing so far?

[Micku]

He might change the league again.

But it depends if they can exploit pick and roll more than he could exploit the small ball. No one could defend Shaq downlow if they play that small ball. They would probably foul out trying.

We really never seen anything like him since he retired. Not that combination of power, agility, finishing touch, and footwork from a big. Shaq's always been a beast, but I never seen a player just dominant the whole team like Shaq did in 2000/01. They would send all five guys on him and it didn't matter sometimes. The closest defensive attention I seen since then was probably Curry 16. And if he could do that when the game was more physical and played more bigs, I would imagine he would still destroy the league when they play smallball and there are more shooters.

I don't know what type of size he would stick to to be really efficient. His Orlando weight? Laker weight? It ranges. His Orlando weight is more agile. Laker weight was more powerful. Either way, he always big.

[Gudo]

Orlando shaq would dominate

[dankok8]

Here is an amazing analysis video of peak Shaq. Released today. Tune in guys!


https://youtu.be/s2qBs6qp8Lo

[Gohan]

Put Orlando shaq in the nba today and he would ball out. Not sure about lakers shaq

[Uncle Drew]

You guys are seriously having doubts whether or not the player with the highest peak ever would succeed in todays game? Thinking he has to adjust to the P&R spamming is bogus. It would be the rest of the league that would have to adjust to Shaq. I like Gobert, some of the hate he's getting is silly, but even he would get cooked with ease.

[paksat]

shaq's the most unstoppable force this league has ever seen

no one, not mj, not lebronze, not kobe can even come close to the impact he had. The league had 7 footers in it JUST to slow him down, they didn't even belong in the league is the funny thing. But teams needed people big and tall to basically foul him, that's the utter truth.

the man shot 58% while scoring nearly 30 a game AND getting EVERYONE on the other team in heavy foul trouble. All while grabbing like 12-14 boards every night along with a couple blocks or more. No one has even come close to those numbers.

shaq would shoot nearly 70% with 38 per night right now in his prime.

[iamgine]

Here is an amazing analysis video of peak Shaq. Released today. Tune in guys!


https://youtu.be/s2qBs6qp8Lo
Ben is one of the best minds in basketball.

People who say Orlando Shaq miss the point. We're talking about prime Shaq, which most people would associate with threepeat Shaq. Not the 'got swept every year' Orlando Shaq.

Sacramento Kings were able to exploit some of Shaq's defensive weakness to the point where they almost won. And they didn't even shoot well, would be one of the worst shooting team by today's standard. Imagine what today's players would do to him. I'm not sure what would hold teams from exploiting Shaq horrendous PnR defense by switching every possession. Which would also lead in Shaq getting in many more foul trouble than back then as a bonus.

[Soundwave]

He'd destroy the league, there's barely any real centers left to even try and defend him. He'd turn and dunk on everyone, there's nothing you can really do to stop it.

[TAZORAC]

Shaq is too big and too strong to not be unstoppable. The only problem is he can't shoot the 3 or defend the 3, his inability to defend the 3 would be made up on the offensive end though. He would get alot of Centers in foul trouble.

[Smoke117]

He'd dominate offensively, but yeah he would be exposed defensively especially in the league now.

[dankok8]

^^ Shaq's offensive domination easily makes up for his defensive shortcomings in any era. You realize that small ball lineups couldn't be played if Shaq was on the other team? In fact even huge big men like Davis and Embiid would get ragdolled by Shaq. Putting someone 6'9'' on Shaq is asking to be BBQ chicken. Shaq famously lifted Mutombo off the ground with his butt while backing in. I routinely saw Shaq make 7 foot 260 lbs players look like kids.

There aren't that many big men sharpshooters in this league to punish Shaq. Shaq could simply defend a DeAndre Jordan, Zubac, Marjanovic, Nurkic etc. on most teams. Bigs who aren't threats shooting the ball... If playing teams with great shooting frontcourts like the Lakers (Davis + Gasol) he can simply stay at the pick to stop penetration and live with giving the ball handler (Lebron) an open 3pt shot. No biggie when he's getting 75%+ shots under the rim on the other end and he could probably get Davis/Gasol in foul trouble often anyways and get them off the floor.

[Micku]

Ben is one of the best minds in basketball.

People who say Orlando Shaq miss the point. We're talking about prime Shaq, which most people would associate with threepeat Shaq. Not the 'got swept every year' Orlando Shaq.

Sacramento Kings were able to exploit some of Shaq's defensive weakness to the point where they almost won. And they didn't even shoot well, would be one of the worst shooting team by today's standard. Imagine what today's players would do to him. I'm not sure what would hold teams from exploiting Shaq horrendous PnR defense by switching every possession. Which would also lead in Shaq getting in many more foul trouble than back then as a bonus.

It was more than just that tho. The Kings were a great team. They had to make sure their shooting was on point because Shaq would intimidate players from driving. And they were extremely versatile team.But they had some big bodies to at least contend with Shaq. And they didn't even guard him one on one. They sometimes put the whole team on him. They would rather have Kobe beat them than Shaq. They always had a big body on Shaq.

Nowadays tho? Shaq would destroy any small ball line up. The best bet is to hope that their shots will fall in. But the offensive rebounding and scoring the paint would be easier for Shaq than the 3pt shot. Like what can you do? Like we talk about bully ball today, but he IS the bully ball. If he can bully DPOY, 7'2 Mutombo, lifting him off the ground when backing down, how can you ever go small with him? I mean, Shaq nearly averaged 30 ppg on 60% shooting for a whole season at one point. And this is where they were big bodies everywhere, not as enough spacing as it is today. And it's not like he doesn't have any post skills. He had a few moves, solid footwork, and amazing touch in the paint. He'll shoot over you. He was the leading scorer in the league and had the best FG% at the same time.

I'm willing to bet the league would have to adjust to contain Shaq than them trying to exploit the weakness. His strengths would overcome the weakness. Only a couple of bigs today could punish small ball, but none of them are as good as Shaq. Like they would probably change the rules again to defend him.

[tpols]

Shaq is Shaq but he would have a problem with today's review system and flagrant foul rules. There were hits like the one where he nearly knocked mutumbo out with an elbow, that would be flagrant 2's today, but weren't even called a foul back then. They put way more time into slow mo reviewing things today. And all of the stretch centers would force him out of the paint.

[Round Mound]

This is what would happen At 0:06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eri9mW56R6k

This was passed prime Shaq when he dunks over Andrew Bynum like if that dude was a little boy: and Bynum was 7'1 ft and 285 lbs

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

Shaq would dominate these current centers.....90s centers. Dude was doing 360 dunks like nothing. Would jave 3-4 guys hanging over him constantly and still dunk all over their &$*. Gets double team everytime he posts up(just about). When he's defending you, your only chance is shooting from the perimeter.

Duncan(pf/c)
Robinson
Sabonis
Olajuwan
Mourning
Ben Wallace
Ewing
Mutombo
Camby
Rik Smits

There's also a bunch of pf that can hold their own as well.

Imagine a draft with Jordan, Lebron, and Shaq got picked 3rd, you wouldnt say "I wish I had 1st or 2nd pick instead".

[tpols]

This is what would happen At 0:06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eri9mW56R6k

This was passed prime Shaq when he dunks over Andrew Bynum like if that dude was a little boy: and Bynum was 7'1 ft and 285 lbs

Did you watch the play after?:lol

Baby Bynum dream shaked him into another dimension and then dunked on him too.

[Round Mound]

Did you watch the play after?:lol

Baby Bynum dream shaked him into another dimension and then dunked on him too.

Shaq wasn't trying on the last play he firstly send a messege that if he plays hard he destroys the league. Prime Shaq would destroy this league!

[Micku]

Shaq is Shaq but he would have a problem with today's review system and flagrant foul rules. There were hits like the one where he nearly knocked mutumbo out with an elbow, that would be flagrant 2's today, but weren't even called a foul back then. They put way more time into slow mo reviewing things today. And all of the stretch centers would force him out of the paint.


Ppl were complaining that Shaq was fouling back then. Teams went to the commissioner as Shaq. Shaq did too. He was tired of ppl fouling him so hard and it not being called. And David Stern told him that if they call every foul, the game would last 4 hours. And teams were always complaining about Shaq. That won't change if Shaq played today. And teams tried to force Shaq out of the paint back then too. Shaq talks about it in the same interview. But they are better at it now, but they sacrifice the weight and strength sometimes. And that Shaq would destroy them on the other end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFqvJNwXVA#t=01m55s

[tpols]

Shaq wasn't trying on the last play he firstly send a messege that if he plays hard he destroys the league. Prime Shaq would destroy this league!

i'm just saying bro that isn't a good look. "wasn't trying" ... what?

Getting shook and dunked on by a 17 year old kid. That's why people are talking about his defense in this thread.

[tpols]

Ppl were complaining that Shaq was fouling back then. Teams went to the commissioner as Shaq. Shaq did too. He was tired of ppl fouling him so hard and it not being called. And David Stern told him that if they call every foul, the game would last 4 hours. And teams were always complaining about Shaq. That won't change if Shaq played today. And teams tried to force Shaq out of the paint back then too. Shaq talks about it in the same interview. But they are better at it now, but they sacrifice the weight and strength sometimes. And that Shaq would destroy them on the other end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFqvJNwXVA#t=01m55s

Today's games are more stretched out though. There are many more reviews. Same thing in football.

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

Dont mention Bynum in the same breath as Shaq.

[Micku]

Dont mention Bynum in the same breath as Shaq.

Bynum did shook Shaq tho, lol! He's no where near Shaq, but he had so much potential man....he could've been the best center in the league at one point if he applied himself.

But yeah. Shaq could do that to him. Shaq made big dudes look little. I just can't imagine any team playing small ball against him and it being effective unless they are on fire from 3.

[tpols]

Hack a Shaq with scrubs and having a center like Jokic could potentially cheese him out of games. If he's only converting max 1 point per possession on average that means you'd only have to shoot 33% from 3pt range to match his production. And good shooting teams could definitely do that.

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

Oh I forgot Yao as well from the 90s.

Lol the amoubt of time Shaq punks Bradley, also forgot the name of the guy Shaq dunked on and push, dude got angry and throw thw ball at him lol.

Man Shaq was a punk, beast, bully lol.

[Gudo]

Would flopping give shaq trouble in today’s game? Divac tried it before but wasn’t consistently successful.

[Micku]

Hack a Shaq with scrubs and having a center like Jokic could potentially cheese him out of games. If he's only converting max 1 point per possession on average that means you'd only have to shoot 33% from 3pt range to match his production. And good shooting teams could definitely do that.

Well, it's not like the strategy is new. But potentially better, especially on paper, depending on the team.

The downside to this is that, you get and 1s with this and teams have less bodies that could defend Shaq nowadays. They tried to space Shaq out and punish him on the pnr, but they couldn't stop him at the other end. What are you going to do? Foul'em and have him get potentially get and 1s? Hope he miss FTs? And that puts the team in the penalty and you gott'a run out of guys. What if the team is good at FTs but just not Shaq? Even when they were doing hack a Shaq, Pjax would leave Shaq in the game.

What guys are you going to get to defend Shaq? Who are these scrubs? It could be bad. Give Shaq to the ball, he'll get a jump hook, money. At worse, he'll back you down easily, and dunk the ball, and he gets fouled. You gott'a do your work before he gets the ball. Do ball denial.

I predict it's gonn'a more of an offensive game. Like hopefully they could out run and out shoot Shaq. But also, Shaq could command and control the pace too, depending on how the coach wants to play.

[tpols]

Well, it's not like the strategy is new. But potentially better, especially on paper, depending on the team.

The downside to this is that, you get and 1s with this and teams have less bodies that could defend Shaq nowadays. They tried to space Shaq out and punish him on the pnr, but they couldn't stop him at the other end. What are you going to do? Foul'em and have him get potentially get and 1s? Hope he miss FTs? And that puts the team in the penalty and you gott'a run out of guys. What if the team is good at FTs but just not Shaq? Even when they were doing hack a Shaq, Pjax would leave Shaq in the game.

What guys are you going to get to defend Shaq? Who are these scrubs? It could be bad. Give Shaq to the ball, he'll get a jump hook, money. At worse, he'll back you down easily, and dunk the ball, and he gets fouled. You gott'a do your work before he gets the ball. Do ball denial.

I predict it's gonn'a more of an offensive game. Like hopefully they could out run and out shoot Shaq. But also, Shaq could command and control the pace too, depending on how the coach wants to play.

Well I was thinking intentional fouls before he even caught the ball. When he goes to post, just grab and trip. It's not really hard to foul a guy if you make it your mission. He might even lose his temper and do something dumb.

[fourkicks44]

Oh I forgot Yao as well from the 90s.

Lol the amoubt of time Shaq punks Bradley, also forgot the name of the guy Shaq dunked on and push, dude got angry and throw thw ball at him lol.

Man Shaq was a punk, beast, bully lol.

Yao was Drafted in 2002.

I think Shaq's defensive ability would be predicated on his ability to keep his weight down.

I have no doubt if he was slim like He was in the Orlando era, with the right determination and attitude he could adjust his defence to the requirements of today's game to become affective.

[BigShotBob]

If a big like Andre Drummond can stay in the league then of course Shaq can You don't see teams trying to switch on Drummond 24/7 and he's worse laterally than Shaq ever was.

Also Jokic would literally be unplayable against Shaq because he'd foul out trying to guard him.

[LeCola]

He would be a triple double machine in this era.

[StrongLurk]

Shaq would've stayed at his Orlando weight and dominated just like he would dominate any era.

[Ca$H]

Sure it would. Teams would not be running pick and rolls on Shaq on every single play and there are still a handful a centers out there that don't have much range on their shot which would be a perfect matchup for Shaq, I understand that in today's league he would be exposed to more pick and rolls and more bad matchups, but having an elite rim protector can do marvels for a defense.

His pick and roll defense made Mike Bibby look like a superstar.

[Bronbron23]

I heard he was one of the worst PnR defender.

And he can be hacked on offense.

Wouldn't teams today just PnR him to death while hacking him on the other end? Therefore making him a huge liability on defense with above average offense. With the rise of shooting, I feel an ATG like Shaq might just be at the level of Nikola Vucevic today.

Yeah he'd have problems with the pnr now but he'd give the opposing teams even more problems. Who in the hell would gaurd him in tbis era? He'd create a huge problem in this era because the game is so much more spread out so there's way less traffic down low. Teams would only have 2 options. Defend shaq one on one with little help down low where shaq would score over 50 a game or double and tripple shaq leaving three point shooters open. Either way your done.

No big man in todays game is good enough to create those kinds of problems for a defense

[Gougou]

Yeah like Yao used to say no one can guard Shaq 1v1, it is still the same, just imagine teams running 6'9 225 small ball center against Shaq, Shaq will crush.

His weakness are shooting 3s and free throws, but I mean Embiid still put up 45 points without shooting 3s...

[jlip]

You guys are seriously having doubts whether or not the player with the highest peak ever would succeed in todays game? Thinking he has to adjust to the P&R spamming is bogus. It would be the rest of the league that would have to adjust to Shaq. I like Gobert, some of the hate he's getting is silly, but even he would get cooked with ease.

This. Peak Shaq is a once in a lifetime player that requires the league to adjust to him more so than he adjusting to the league.

[NBAGOAT]

Teams would just double and triple shaq as much as possible. Hope shaqs pnr defense is bad enough but guys taking open 3s off the dribble won’t be as efficient as open spot up guys getting passes from shaq