How would Shaq do in the current league

 
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loslakersss
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:36 am    Post subject: How would Shaq do in the current league

If Shaq got drafted in 2014 and was entering his prime around now, how do you think he would do in this league? Would he be a guy averaging 33/15 winning multiple MVP's and titles? or with the changes in the way the game is played (zone, faster, 3 ball) make it a better or worse era for him to play in?
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:49 am    Post subject: Re: How would Shaq do in the current league

loslakersss wrote:
If Shaq got drafted in 2014 and was entering his prime around now, how do you think he would do in this league? Would he be a guy averaging 33/15 winning multiple MVP's and titles? or with the changes in the way the game is played (zone, faster, 3 ball) make it a better or worse era for him to play in?



Prime Shaq would still be a huge offensive force, though he might have a tougher time on defense. Titles/MVP would be more of function of the team around him, but I see no reason why he couldn't be successful.

Also, it depends which Shaq. He was relatively slender, athletic and quick during his Orlando days. That Shaq would fair better than the later Shaq we saw here and at Miami who was huge and rarely moved from the rim.


Last edited by activeverb on Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:11 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:04 am    Post subject:

Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:24 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.


Not necessarily. Orlando Shaq was lean and as athletic as D.Robinson, if the game is played a lot less in the paint, I’d think he would not bulk up the way he did and remained lean
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:29 am    Post subject:

governator wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.


Not necessarily. Orlando Shaq was lean and as athletic as D.Robinson, if the game is played a lot less in the paint, I’d think he would not bulk up the way he did and remained lean


That's what I was thinking, but I noticed the OP said "entering his prime," so I think CC sort of assumed we were watching 1998+ Shaq, i.e., thiccc Shaq
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:53 am    Post subject:

something else to consider is shaq did his damage in the dead ball era of basketball. He'd probably average 38+ and foul out entire front courts with the lack of strong low post defenders to stand in his way.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:04 pm    Post subject:

I think prime athletic Shaq was his first 2 years in the league.

Just give him a stud PG and he'd be fine, because he was a lot more pick and roll and a lot less post up back then.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:05 pm    Post subject:

Shaq would dominate in any era in any league.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:28 pm    Post subject:

Imagine Shaq popping off 3 pointers.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 1:50 pm    Post subject:

governator wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.


Not necessarily. Orlando Shaq was lean and as athletic as D.Robinson, if the game is played a lot less in the paint, I’d think he would not bulk up the way he did and remained lean


I'm not sure he had a choice. In high school he was really thin and then he just steadily gained weight as the years went by. I think he was just one of those people destined to get heavy as they age.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:15 pm    Post subject:

Cutheon wrote:
governator wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.


Not necessarily. Orlando Shaq was lean and as athletic as D.Robinson, if the game is played a lot less in the paint, I’d think he would not bulk up the way he did and remained lean


That's what I was thinking, but I noticed the OP said "entering his prime," so I think CC sort of assumed we were watching 1998+ Shaq, i.e., thiccc Shaq


What do you mean by not necessarily-- on offense or defense? I was assuming Orlando Shaq and that he wouldn't add bulk. Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 6:18 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Cutheon wrote:
governator wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Rich man's Joel Embiid on offense, significantly worse on defense.


Not necessarily. Orlando Shaq was lean and as athletic as D.Robinson, if the game is played a lot less in the paint, I’d think he would not bulk up the way he did and remained lean


That's what I was thinking, but I noticed the OP said "entering his prime," so I think CC sort of assumed we were watching 1998+ Shaq, i.e., thiccc Shaq


What do you mean by not necessarily-- on offense or defense? I was assuming Orlando Shaq and that he wouldn't add bulk. Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.


Didn't realize Embiid is that good on defense. I remember Shaq used to alter a lot of shots
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 6:45 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:06 am    Post subject:

activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:31 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?


Both would do well. Olajuwon has some of the quickest feet at center and could guard the perimeter, and both had games ahead of their time.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:45 am    Post subject:

Omar Little wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?


Both would do well. Olajuwon has some of the quickest feet at center and could guard the perimeter, and both had games ahead of their time.


An even more polished, more athletic albeit smaller Embiid, you have Olajuwon. Duncan is the athletic version of Jokic
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:21 am    Post subject:

LakersChamps04 wrote:
Shaq would dominate in any era in any league.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:10 am    Post subject:

He'd be dominant. I don't think anyone would have an answer for the Orlando version of Shaq. Unreal combination of size and speed.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:40 pm    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?



Duncan was an all-star just four years ago. So we know he'd be fine. If he was coming up now, he'd probably develop a three-point shot.

Hakeem would be great.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 3:59 pm    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?


Olajuwon would be the most coveted center. In his younger years, he could recover after being beaten on PnR as the help defender and still protect the rim.
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:14 pm    Post subject:

Mike@LG wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
activeverb wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Embiid is a DPOY level player whereas Shaq never was, even in Orlando.



In 99-00, Shaq came in second in DPoY voting.

Coming into the league, Shaq held his own as a defender against a lot of great centers -- Hakeem, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and on and on.

The game was very different then, and the type of defense that was required was different.

However, I'd say early Shaq was comparable to Embiid today as a defender.


Oh, didn't know that. I just remember him for having a reputation as slacking on defense.

How would Olajuwon do in today's league? What about Duncan?


Olajuwon would be the most coveted center. In his younger years, he could recover after being beaten on PnR as the help defender and still protect the rim.

I've watched Game 5 of the 1986 WCF on ESPN Classic and Youtube several times. Seems like young Hakeem was really athletic and ran the floor well. Sounds like he would be perfect for today's up-tempo NBA.
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