Which center in NBA history would be the biggest defensive challenge for Shaq?

[jongib369]

Who would defend him the best? And could anyone hold him below 50%?

It would either be Wilt Chamberlain or Nate Thurmond IMO






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh90_lXqh5o



[IMG]

I am posting the aggregated stats of Kareem against Nate Thurmond during the period 1969 - 1973 season by season, as in that period both players met 3 times in the playoffs and in total of 34 times (including the regular season meetings):

1969 - 1970 (Kareem's rookie season) 3 games - reg.season

Kareem - 42.0 mpg 21.67 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 0.348 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 46.7 mpg 20.67 ppg, 17.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 0.490 FG/FGA

1970 - 1971 6 games - reg.season

Kareem - 26.67 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 0.484 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 23.83 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 0.477 FG/FGA

1970 - 1971 5 games - playoffs

Kareem - 39.2 mpg 27.8 ppg, 15.6 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.486 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 38.4 mpg 17.60 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.371 FG/FGA

1971 - 1972 3 games - reg.season

Kareem - 24.00 ppg, 16.3 rpg, 0.441 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 16.33 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 0.260 FG/FGA

1972 - 1973 5 games - playoffs

Kareem - 47.0 mpg 22.8 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 5.4 apg, 0.405 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 46.0 mpg 25.40 ppg, 17.8 rpg, 5.2 apg, 0.434 FG/FGA

1972 - 1973 6 games - reg.season

Kareem - 25.83 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 0.488 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 13.67 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 0.367 FG/FGA

1972 - 1973 6 games - playoffs

Kareem - 46.0 mpg 22.83 ppg, 16.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.428 FG/FGA

Nate ---- 42.5 mpg 13.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.423 FG/FGA

[/IMG]


Side question, who WAS shaqs biggest challenge defensively?

[Foster5k]

'04 Ben Wallace

[daj0264]

The only person capable of keeping shaq under 50% is shaq. Wilt would keep him in the low 50s imo but i never saw wilt play so maybe he is better defensively then i think.

[Rubio2Gasol]

A 7' foot 260 Chuck Hayes.

[willds09]

hakeem

[Myth]

I'm going with Russell even though he isn't very big.

[jzek]

Prime Mutombo and not 76'ers Mutombo.

[Xsatyr]

hakeem

Shaq can score on Hakeem and vice versa. Hakeem is the overall better player though imho.

[ShaqAttack3234]

I've suspected Nate Thurmond or Lakers Wilt for a while. Thurmond has stated that he didn't think he could guard guys like Shaq or Yao, but I think he'd do s well as anyone. Once players get to a certain level of dominance offensively, you can't hope to stop them, but as far as limiting Shaq and making him work harder, I see that as possible. I think Artis Gilmore could do a good job as well. For the most part, to be successful in limiting prime Shaq, your best bet was a center that could negate some of his size and strength advantage as well as a good team defense. See the 2000 WCF for a good example of this.

[Rubio2Gasol]

I've suspected Nate Thurmond or Lakers Wilt for a while. Thurmond has stated that he didn't think he could guard guys like Shaq or Yao, but I think he'd do s well as anyone. Once players get to a certain level of dominance offensively, you can't hope to stop them, but as far as limiting Shaq and making him work harder, I see that as possible. I think Artis Gilmore could do a good job as well. For the most part, to be successful in limiting prime Shaq, your best bet was a center that could negate some of his size and strength advantage as well as a good team defense. See the 2000 WCF for a good example of this.

I think your best bet would be to get him in foul trouble ---------------> on the next side of the court. Under today's riles I'd zone and deny post entry lanes and foul hard if he catches it. Not even bothering to have someone try to stop him from posting up.

[Trollsmasher]

How about Mark Eaton? I don't really know a lot about him so if anyone could elaborate?

[willds09]

Shaq can score on Hakeem and vice versa. Hakeem is the overall better player though imho.

but hakeem is his biggest defensive challenge, especially with his post moves and all

[Orlando Magic]

'04 Ben Wallace

More like '04 Kobe Bryant, you fuc[COLOR="Black"]ki[/COLOR]ng moron.

[DonDadda59]

Tim Duncan was the only player I saw during Shaq's prime who could somewhat effectively play him 1 on 1.

[Guy Ledouche]

Wilt would be the best at guarding him, but I don't think he'd be able to hold Shaq under 50%. I don't think any player in history could do that.

Eaton would be way too slow to guard Shaq.