Shaq 2004 finals highlights is a marvel to behold.

[coastalmarker99]

He makes Ben Wallace one of the strongest players ever and a guy freaking Ron Artest didn't want to even mess with. Look as if he is nothing more than a helpless child during some of these plays.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR_8Vg9_x90

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

[Smoke117]

Shaq had like 100lbs on Ben Wallace.

[coastalmarker99]

I got to say the way Shaq used his insane physical gifts to just abuse the hell of people and beat them up is just flat out scary I don't think there is a single person that could stop this man from dropping 35 a night in today's Nba.

[LAL]

Should've seen him on defense and his mobility was not there anymore, his ego stayed the same.

Monster of a player tho.

[coastalmarker99]

Should've seen him on defense and his mobility was not there anymore, his ego stayed the same.

Monster of a player tho.


Indeed he was that not good on defence throughout this series due to his mobility not being the same as it was in his prime yet he was still an utter monster of a player to deal with on the boards and in the paint.

[Smoke117]

Indeed he was that not good on defence throughout this series due to his mobility not being the same as it was in his prime yet he was still an utter monster of a player to deal with on the boards and in the paint.

Mobility doesn't really matter when you were as lazy as Shaq was. He could have been a much better defensive player throughout his career, but he just didn't care about playing defense. He was more interested in getting his points. It's no surprise his career high in rpg and bpg came in his rookie season. If Shaq had a better work ethic in general he could have went down as the GOAT.

[Gotterdammerung]

Indeed, Shaq had his last 40 and 20 game in those finals.

However I remember Shaq being guarded straight up for the first time ever. And that resulted in a gentleman's sweep.

[jayfan]

Indeed, Shaq had his last 40 and 20 game in those finals.

However I remember Shaq being guarded straight up for the first time ever. And that resulted in a gentleman's sweep.


Exactly. Ben was lauded, and rightfully so, for his defense on Shaq, despite Shaq getting his.


.

[PeroAntic]

Shaq was too fat and lazy at this point.

[pandiani17]

Mobility doesn't really matter when you were as lazy as Shaq was. He could have been a much better defensive player throughout his career, but he just didn't care about playing defense. He was more interested in getting his points. It's no surprise his career high in rpg and bpg came in his rookie season. If Shaq had a better work ethic in general he could have went down as the GOAT.

He would definitely be in the conversation. About him outperforming Ben Wallace, Shaq was head and shoulders above any other center in the 2000s. He destroyed everyone, including DPOYs like Mutombo or Big Ben. I would like to have seen the 2000s Shaq against the 90s Olajuwon, though. I know they met in the 95 finals, but I would love to see them go head-to-head both in their prime.

[jayfan]

Mobility doesn't really matter when you were as lazy as Shaq was. He could have been a much better defensive player throughout his career, but he just didn't care about playing defense. He was more interested in getting his points. It's no surprise his career high in rpg and bpg came in his rookie season. If Shaq had a better work ethic in general he could have went down as the GOAT.


True.


.

[Ghost1]

https://i.postimg.cc/y8FfWWv2/fgnfgnfnn.jpg

[jayfan]

He would definitely be in the conversation. About him outperforming Ben Wallace, Shaq was head and shoulders above any other center in the 2000s. He destroyed everyone, including DPOYs like Mutombo or Big Ben. I would like to have seen the 2000s Shaq against the 90s Olajuwon, though. I know they met in the 95 finals, but I would love to see them go head-to-head both in their prime.


Let's not forget, Shaq was literally head & shoulders above Ben Wallace. Ben was listed at only 6' 9". The fact that he still managed to dominate & win DPOYs at the position is remarkable.


.

[tontoz]

Detroit knew Wallace couldn't guard Shaq 1 on 1. They were rightly betting that Kobe wouldn't give up the ball enough to make them pay for it.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

1.6 assists per game though and 0.6 blocks for Shaq

Also Phil Jackson played kobe 46 minutes a game despite having a 90 offensive rating and 45% TS. Seems like he was finals mvp hunting for kobe.

That was a weird finals series for sure. Lakers were a mess and shouldn't even had made the finals. I think they overachieved because karl Malone locked down Tim Duncan and manu was still a year away from being a superstar.

[LBJFTW]

TC hasn’t seen Rodman handle Shaq.

https://youtu.be/ujEc4uqut9Y

https://youtu.be/NdZn8epqnKo

[dankok8]

Detroit knew Wallace couldn't guard Shaq 1 on 1. They were rightly betting that Kobe wouldn't give up the ball enough to make them pay for it.

Yea. I re-watched this series a few years ago and I was impressed with Ben's performance because the Pistons refused to double Shaq. Ben took him one-on-one and did about as well as a guy could do against a monster. He actually outrebounded Shaq by a solid margin and tired him out. Shaq himself hardly played any defense in that series...

[Smoke117]

He would definitely be in the conversation. About him outperforming Ben Wallace, Shaq was head and shoulders above any other center in the 2000s. He destroyed everyone, including DPOYs like Mutombo or Big Ben. I would like to have seen the 2000s Shaq against the 90s Olajuwon, though. I know they met in the 95 finals, but I would love to see them go head-to-head both in their prime.

The main difference between Shaq in 95 vs early 2000s is that he didn’t have any rivals anymore. Hakeem, Robinson, and Ewing were all old or retired by then. Zo was good, but never on Dream or Admirals level and he only lasted for that 2000 season anyway because of the kidney ailment. Shaq got to enjoy his peak with no competition at his position.

[LoneyROY7]

I can see from Kobe's perspective why it could be frustrating to play with Shaq towards the later years. Man just walks up the court, parks his ass in the paint, and expects a post-up touch every time down.

Like we get it bro.

[mehyaM24]

had it not been for malone's injury, lakers take that finals. and shaq would have 4fmvps.

shaq's longevity is pretty underrated. he primed as early as his second year which lasted until 2005ish. and if you look at his impact, like rpm/rapm, shaq was STILL a really good player from 06-08 as well,

[Reggie43]

Not really surprising because Ben Wallace was never really known as a great post defender because of his height ( 6'7") and in fact Rasheed Walllace did a better job on Shaq because of his superior length.

[Smoke117]

Not really surprising because Ben Wallace was never really known as a great post defender because of his height ( 6'7") and in fact Rasheed Walllace did a better job on Shaq because of his superior length.

Sheed was always a great one on one defensive player in the post.

[tpols]

Not really surprising because Ben Wallace was never really known as a great post defender because of his height ( 6'7") and in fact Rasheed Walllace did a better job on Shaq because of his superior length.

Rodman was only 6'7 and held shaq down

[Reggie43]

Rodman was only 6'7 and held shaq down

Held him down to what exactly? Everyone knows Rodman was a very good post defender but Im pretty sure guarding young skinny Shaq in 96 is not the same as guarding the much bigger more polished and experienced version of him in 2004.

[StrongLurk]

Shaq was a generational superstar and top ten talent of all time from 92-04, an absolutely unique legend.

[hold this L]

Mobility doesn't really matter when you were as lazy as Shaq was. He could have been a much better defensive player throughout his career, but he just didn't care about playing defense. He was more interested in getting his points. It's no surprise his career high in rpg and bpg came in his rookie season. If Shaq had a better work ethic in general he could have went down as the GOAT.

Shaq with an MJ, Kobe, Lebron mentality would definitely be the best player of all time for sure. I can't think of a better example of a lazy all time great player in sports that got through so much by born ability alone.