Did Shaq deserved to be on the NBA's top 50 greatest in 1996?

[iamgine]

Shaq was only 23 or something at the time.

Do you think he deserved it at that point?

[HBK_Kliq_2]

No, he had 2 superstar seasons at that point and zero finals wins.

Shaq was pretty lazy in the 1990s, super motivated for Phil from 2000-2002, went back to being lazy again in 2003/2004, motivated again for 1 year in Miami and then went back to being lazy again the rest of his career.

He really was lucky to be coached by Phil Jackson, obviously he respected him and was super motivated under him. Outside of the 3 peat, he's mostly a lazy piece of shit.

[Phoenix]

Shaq was a superstar the day he entered the league.

23/14/4/2 56% TS, Magic +20 wins from prior year

If Shaq had stayed like *that* for 15 years in terms of shape? GOAT, and easily.

[Shogon]

Shaq was good enough as a rookie to be top 50 ever.

[RogueBorg]

Shaq was only 23 or something at the time.

Do you think he deserved it at that point?

On November 20th, 1993, Shaq's second season, he scored 24 points, grabbed 28 rebounds, and had 15 blocked shots against the Nets. Everyone knew he was a superstar on the rise. He absolutely belonged.

[L.Kizzle]

Most people had Jordan a top 50 All-Time player by end of his 4th season. Why not Shaq?

[pandiani17]

I understand what you mean. It would be like getting Luka among the Top 75 players list now. You know he will 95% belong in the list in the very near-future, but does he deserve it right now?

[L.Kizzle]

I understand what you mean. It would be like getting Luka among the Top 75 players list now. You know he will 95% belong in the list in the very near-future, but does he deserve it right now?
Luka is great, he wasn't Shaq or Jordan tho.
Shaq was in the Finals by his 3rd season Jordan MVP by season 4.

[Kobe_Bryant]

if he had won a title and finals mvp/league mvp then maybe but just 4 years and some good stats. I dunno.

he made a finals appearance.. thats about it

based on talent/dominance sure bit if we just go by that then giannis is a top 11-12 player ever right now

[Lakers Legend#32]

Hell YES.

[3ba11]

Shaq was only 23 or something at the time.

Do you think he deserved it at that point?


Yes, Shaq deserved top 50 over Pippen in 1997, and just like Luka deserves top 75 over Pippen in 2021.

I'm pretty sure that 22-year old Luka blows 23-year old Shaq away statistically and in the playoffs

[jbryan1984]

Not many people enter the league like he did with so much celebrity. LeBron, Kareem, maybe few others. Shaq was an instant superstar.

[FilmyCogTurner]

Either case they were correct in doing so.

[iamgine]

I understand what you mean. It would be like getting Luka among the Top 75 players list now. You know he will 95% belong in the list in the very near-future, but does he deserve it right now?

Yeah. In some ways Luka even has better accolades than Shaq at the time. Shaq didn't have all-NBA 1st team while Luka already has two All-NBA 1st.

[L.Kizzle]

Yeah. In some ways Luka even has better accolades than Shaq at the time. Shaq didn't have all-NBA 1st team while Luka already has two All-NBA 1st.
Shaq had Finals and deep playoff runs. Luka is McGrady right now.

Shaq after 4 seasons already had more playoff games than Dave Bing and Pistol Pete and they were selected NBA at 50.

[iamgine]

Shaq had Finals and deep playoff runs. Luka is McGrady right now.

Shaq after 4 seasons already had more playoff games than Dave Bing and Pistol Pete and they were selected NBA at 50.

If that's your criteria then sure

[L.Kizzle]

If that's your criteria then sure
That not my criteria, just saying Pistol Pete and Dave Bing have no playoff success to show and they were on their just fine.

People also complain about Wilkins missing? Wilkens, a 14 year played a total of 55 playoff games when the players were selected. Just 8 more than Shaq in ten more seasons.

[iamgine]

That not my criteria, just saying Pistol Pete and Dave Bing have no playoff success to show and they were on their just fine.

People also complain about Wilkins missing? Wilkens, a 14 year played a total of 55 playoff games when the players were selected. Just 8 more than Shaq in ten more seasons.
Oh i was comparing to Luka.

[Jasper]

Shaq was only 23 or something at the time.

Do you think he deserved it at that point?

quite frankly no .... but the league was moving to small ball type play , and Shaq was going to be the savior of the low post.
It certainly was , he had exceeded all expectations and got away with a lot of offensive fouls.

[jayfan]

Probably not.



.

[Phoenix]

Shaq had Finals and deep playoff runs. Luka is McGrady right now.

Shaq after 4 seasons already had more playoff games than Dave Bing and Pistol Pete and they were selected NBA at 50.

Tmac had like....6-7 years of not getting past the first round in his prime. Luka has only had two shots at the playoffs and ran into a better team( there was nothing subpar about his own performance). Hell at this point he's no more Tmac than he is 85 to 87 MJ. Luka would need to be getting bounced in the first round every year till like 2025 before that comparison becomes apt.

[theballerFKA Ace]

The league hadn't seen anything like Shaq since Wilt and hasn't seen anything like him since. Zero stretch at putting him on the top 50 greatest of all time at that point

[John8204]

Seeing who got top 75 spots...yes Shaq deserved it he was a lock and a phenom.

[ImKobe]

Yes.