NBA Finals: 2000-02 Diesel vs 1991-93 MJ

[Hands of Iron]

Two of the most dominant forces in the history of the sport, the only two players to win three consecutive Finals MVP Awards since it's inception (a feat Jordan accomplished twice obviously). This isn't a question as to who was the better, more accomplished player but rather specifically who had the more dominant performance(s) on the game's biggest stage? Shaq is maligned for being an underachiever with a poor work ethic, but anybody who witnessed him at his peak knows his claim as The MDE is a legitimate one.

This is about as good as it gets. These are the two greatest Finals Performers Ever. Do not whine over Center opposition when O'Neal put 28/12/6 on 60% on Hakeem Olajuwon and 27/11/3 on 63% on Ben Wallace and one of the greatest defensive teams in the history of the sport in the 1995 and 2004 Finals, neither of which came at his peak. The 2001 DPOY Mutombo did little to make a bit of difference in between. Shaq deserves this comparison, period.

DIESEL, Challenger

2000 Finals: 38.0 PPG, 16.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.7 BPG, 61.6% FG
2001 Finals: 33.0 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.4 BPG, 57.2% FG
2002 Finals: 36.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.8 BPG, 59.5% FG

3-Year Averages: 35.9 PPG, 15.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 BPG, 59.5% FG

JORDAN, Champion

1991 Finals: 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.8 SPG, 55.8% FG
1992 Finals: 35.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 52.6% FG
1993 Finals: 41.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 50.8% FG

3-Year Averages: 36.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 52.6% FG

Who's it gonna be?

[eliteballer]

Why is Shaq the challenger....

[KyrieTheFuture]

Impossible to compare IMO. GOAT big and wing performance easily but I can't say who was better.

[Odinn]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=240213

[keep-itreal]

I won't choose cuz both are. But watching this video made me feel sorry for Dikembe Motombo. Shaq was dunking on him like he wasn't there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKICLZfKMG0

[D.J.]

You really can't compare the two because they play different positions, but let's put it this way:


When MJ played in the Finals, you knew there was no way he was going to lose. As dominant as Shaq was, you just didn't feel that way about him.

[Smoke117]

Shaqs performances are better...but they are also against much weaker teams barring the beat up lakers of 91. Shaq also did more defensively as he was the anchor of the Laker defenses. He was no Hakeem Olajuwon, but he still made a bigger impact defensively for the Lakers in the finals than Jordan did for the Bulls. I think I just take Jordan because the Bulls actually played much better teams in the Blazers and Suns. The Sixers and Nets are a joke compared to them.

[Smoke117]

You really can't compare the two because they play different positions, but let's put it this way:


When MJ played in the Finals, you knew there was no way he was going to lose. [B]As dominant as Shaq was, you just didn't feel that way about him.

You have be joking? Maybe in 2000, but vs the Sixers and the Nets? Who in their right mind gave them a chance?

[D.J.]

You have be joking? Maybe in 2000, but vs the Sixers and the Nets? Who in their right mind gave them a chance?

And you just proved my point. When Jordan was in the Finals, there was no doubt about him winning.

[Hands of Iron]

Sure, you can compare the two. Basketball doesn't follow a pound-for-pound guideline. Impact is Impact. It's no coincidence most of the Top 10 consists of Bigs. What's happening here is Shaq matched the scoring volume on his typically higher efficiency. Throw in the board destruction and his presence in the paint on defense and you've got a very good case he was more dominant.

Give him his respect.

[LongLiveTheKing]

Two of the most dominant forces in the history of the sport, the only two players to win three consecutive Finals MVP Awards since it's inception (a feat Jordan accomplished twice obviously). This isn't a question as to who was the better, more accomplished player but rather specifically who had the more dominant performance(s) on the game's biggest stage? Shaq is maligned for being an underachiever with a poor work ethic, but anybody who witnessed him at his peak knows his claim as The MDE is a legitimate one.

This is about as good as it gets. These are the two greatest Finals Performers Ever. Do not whine over Center opposition when O'Neal put 28/12/6 on 60% on Hakeem Olajuwon and 27/11/3 on 63% on Ben Wallace and one of the greatest defensive teams in the history of the sport in the 1995 and 2004 Finals, neither of which came at his peak. The 2001 DPOY Mutombo did little to make a bit of difference in between. Shaq deserves this comparison, period.

DIESEL, Challenger

2000 Finals: 38.0 PPG, 16.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.7 BPG, 61.6% FG
2001 Finals: 33.0 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.4 BPG, 57.2% FG
2002 Finals: 36.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.8 BPG, 59.5% FG

3-Year Averages: 35.9 PPG, 15.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 BPG, 59.5% FG

JORDAN, Champion

1991 Finals: 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.8 SPG, 55.8% FG
1992 Finals: 35.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 52.6% FG
1993 Finals: 41.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 50.8% FG

3-Year Averages: 36.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 52.6% FG

Who's it gonna be?

Why do some people think Shaq didn't carry Kobe?

[DuMa]

Shaq didnt want to deal with MJ's Bulls when he got swept in 1996. Thats why he left to the west. So MJ easily

[Smoke117]

And you just proved my point. When Jordan was in the Finals, there was no doubt about him winning.

Actually a lot people thought the 92 Blazers and 93 Suns had as good as chance as anyone. Remember the Bulls were just coming off of a 7 game series with the Knicks and a 6 game series with the Cavs in 92 and in 93 they had fallen off with players not jelling anymore (Pippen and Grant in particular), and going down 0-2 to the Knicks in the ECF. They don't even get out that series with the Knicks if not for Pippen who was clearly the MVP of that series. The Suns were not being taken lightly by anyone. Get off Jordans jock.

[jlip]

And you just proved my point. When Jordan was in the Finals, there was no doubt about him winning.

While they were favored because of the homecourt in '91, after the game 1 loss it was not a foregone conclusion that the Bulls were going to win the series especially after Magic had just led the Lakers to an upset series win over the Blazers. Also MJ had not developed that indomitable winner's reputation by then.

[Hands of Iron]

Why is Shaq the challenger....

Eh, out of respect for Jordan. Came before. Generally regarded as the greatest Finals performer ever by most. Nobody brings it to him there quite like Shaq. It's not like Dan Majerle or Kevin Johnson were any more fit to guard Jordan. What the hell else could you want than A Center who won that season's DPOY to Get It that nobody was stopping Shaq. Specified the years and people are talking 1996. Again, 1995 & 2004 as well neither at his best and still...Do we wanna take it to 1996 and Gary Payton? I bet Shaq was better against the three ATG defenders he met in the Finals. He gets shit on a little far too often.