Shaq says it’s a sweep. He…might not be wrong on this one.

[Kblaze8855]

https://www.hostpic.org/images/2305291013580330.jpeg

[1987_Lakers]

2003 team is obviously more talented, but having Shaq, Duncan, & KG all in the starting lineup doesn't seem like it would fit well.

[GimmeThat]

do Shaq just teach his players to foul when being asked what a zone defense is?

[1987_Lakers]

I always liked the '88 first team.

Hakeem
Barkley
Bird
MJ
Magic

That is pretty damn sexy.

[1987_Lakers]

do Shaq just teach his players to foul when being asked what a zone defense is?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxep5Z1h3_U

[GimmeThat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxep5Z1h3_U

2023

[ImKobe]

That '03 team might be the GOAT

start of prime Kobe
peak T-Mac
prime KG
peak Duncan
late prime Shaq

ain't no one beating that team tbh..

[SouBeachTalents]

'09 would be pretty nasty.

https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/365/627/nbateam_original.jpg?1283068291

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

Not only a sweep but possibly win by 50+ every game(jk).

You can argue prime T-mac was better then Kobe too. Only advantage for 2022-2023 is both forward position smight be more athletic/quick. That 2002-2003 is one nasty team. How many rings do they have total compare to the other? Lol

[GimmeThat]

'09 would be pretty nasty.

https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/365/627/nbateam_original.jpg?1283068291

they'd just live at the free throw line

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

'09 would be pretty nasty.

https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/365/627/nbateam_original.jpg?1283068291

This one will also eat the 2022-23 team for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack before bed.

[iamgine]

I don't think that 02-03 team work well without a pretty extensive training camp together. If you just throw them in...pretty sure the 22-23 would win in a sweep.

[GimmeThat]

I don't think that 02-03 team work well without a pretty extensive training camp together.

I suppose the standard for all NBA-1st is quite low. definitely not players you can label as franchise players.

[Dbrog]

That '03 team might be the GOAT

start of prime Kobe
peak T-Mac
prime KG
peak Duncan
late prime Shaq

ain't no one beating that team tbh..

Pretty much this. Just Shaq and KG would make the other lineup literally shit their pants. The kinda funny part is the 03 lineup may have more chemistry than ppl might think cause Duncan and tmac were extremely close to teaming up around that time. Ultimately the defense is simply disgusting on that team. Embiid and Giannis wouldn't know what hit em down low...BTW kg would be the sf and destroy the entire court

[highwhey]

well yeah..2nd team needs referees to intervene for offense and only 2 of em can play defense.

all skill v no skill

[GimmeThat]

Pretty much this. Just Shaq and KG would make the other lineup literally shit their pants. The kinda funny part is the 03 lineup may have more chemistry than ppl might think cause Duncan and tmac were extremely close to teaming up around that time. Ultimately the defense is simply disgusting on that team. Embiid and Giannis wouldn't know what hit em down low...BTW kg would be the sf and destroy the entire court

don't tell me the most talented team is getting out run and gun while I'm just hearing sh!t

[Dbrog]

don't tell me the most talented team is getting out run and gun while I'm just hearing sh!t

Speak English plz

[GimmeThat]

Speak English plz

but I'm not into broke back mountain.

[Dbrog]

but I'm not into broke back mountain.

I love me some Jake Gyllenhaal

[GimmeThat]

This one will also eat the 2022-23 team for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack before bed.

you're implying the 09 team is on a leash

[90sgoat]

2003 team is better at every position and not by a little either.

Though if it was a real team, Garnett would play the SF.

The only player with somewhat of an edge would be Luka, who could match Kobe in spurts and definitely outplay McGrady.

Though for big men, it's an absolute no contest. Shaq would murder Embiid.

[BarberSchool]

The only way 2023 wins a game is if 3/4 Luka/Tatum/Shai/Joel get blazing hot from 3.

Cause 03 isn’t hitting that many 3’s

But every single player in 03 … they’re abusing Embiid & Giannis in the paint, and all but Duncan are dunking all over Embiid for hella highlight reel AND-1’s

[GimmeThat]

The only way 2023 wins a game is if 3/4 Luka/Tatum/Shai/Joel get blazing hot from 3.

Cause 03 isn’t hitting that many 3’s

But every single player in 03 … they’re abusing Embiid & Giannis in the paint, and all but Duncan are dunking all over Embiid for hella highlight reel AND-1’s

you're saying if the 23 ran a back court press, you'd count on 03 front court to run the floor and not get lost the way Giannis and Embiid could.

lets just say the 03 players will be crying "I can't believe that big actually made a 3 in game, that's just straight up disrespectul"

[ELITEpower23]

No one on 2003 can shoot. Clogged up paint yikes.

[ArbitraryWater]

This would actually be so interesting cause of the contrast of styles.


Individually 03 is better.


But 2023 has so much better shooting.

They could space them out and meanwhile not defend the 03 team behind the arc.


The 2023 team doesnt exacty have elite long range shooting either though.

[Carbine]

Spacing matters. If we played basketball the way we do now that 03 team would have very very little chance to win.

Three bigs clogging up inside the 3pt area is not ideal.

Also, Shaq would be abused at this point in his career by search and destroy pick and rolls involving him.

[HoopsNY]

No one on 2003 can shoot. Clogged up paint yikes.

'03 Kobe: 38% 3pt%
'03 TMac: 39% 3pt%

'23 Luka: 34% 3pt%
'23 Shai: 34% 3pt%

[Kblaze8855]

People always assume past versus modern comparisons are played under modern rules for some reason. Id say if you wanted to do it fair figure a way to establish home court(coin flip?) and have home rules and officials go with it.

[GimmeThat]

People always assume past versus modern comparisons are played under modern rules for some reason. Id say if you wanted to do it fair figure a way to establish home court(coin flip?) and have home rules and officials go with it.

you really want to argue that fresh food isn't faster and tastier than defrosting frozen groceries?

[Soundwave]

Team '88 versus Team '03 would be off the hook.

[tpols]

If Giannis had trouble running into Bam, imagine him running into Shaq. Bully ball wouldn't work against that especially with Duncan and Garnett helping. They could play him off the court.

The 2023 team is too ball dominant and non athletic. They'd get wiped by that front court. Having Kobe and tmac in the back court is just total overkill.

[HighFlyer23]

Kobe would likely do something to jeopardize their chances

But I could see shaq injuring that BUM embiid within his first possession

Embiid would get sonned wrecked and embarrassed

You actually have dummies on this forum who think this fraud is the best player in the league due to a sympathy, politically motivated mvp

[HoopologyPhD]

If I were coaching, I would make TMac be the defensive guy on the squad as punishment for a lifetime of medium efficiency chucking

[Phoenix]

The only player with somewhat of an edge would be Luka, who could match Kobe in spurts and definitely outplay McGrady.

Though for big men, it's an absolute no contest. Shaq would murder Embiid.

Maybe I'm too much of a Tmac homer, but Kobe and Tmac were close enough in 2003 to assume that Luka's level of success against either would be roughly equal. If it's 2003 rules, I can see Kobe taking the assignment of sticking Luka and he was genuinely all-defense level at this point( as opposed to the mid 2000's when his selections were, let's say generous at best). Remember that Kobe did have this kind of defensive ability and this is a 2008 Olympics situation where he can actually balance his energy between offense/defense:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iou1L27tyZI

[Kblaze8855]

I chose not to bring that up myself. Tmac and Kobe in 03 is a tossup. They were playing in the toughest era to score since the shotclock came out and it skews the efficiency but just as players?

They wouldn’t likely look outmatched playing anyone ever. And I do mean ever.