Just here spewing facts.

Shaq is mad because todays big men are not only more skilled, but they're not one dimensional paint clogging defensive liabilities like him lol!!!

Who’s stopping shaq from putting up 30/12?

Didnt he dick Philly down in the Finals?

Shaq would put up good offensive numbers in the post but he'd clog the shit out of the paint, he can't handle the ball, he's not creating his own shot or taking guys off the dribble facing up, he's not leaving he paint on offense or defense.

He was a terrible P&R defender in his prime (and would get targeted for it), let alone these days when players are so much better on the perimeter and spacing the floor like never before. He can't defend anything besides a traditional post up play which guys rarely do anymore.

His game from then would really have no place in todays game. THat's not a knock on Shaq though tbh, because guys have adapted and the game has evolved. The days of just being a big center who stands in the paint all game because you can (because opposing centers never shot the ball outside of the paint back then) are long gone. It's MUCH harder to defend todays game because everyone is in space and you have less help. Shaq is the most dominant low post scorer in NBA history, but that came at a time when that type of game fit the NBA.



Yeah, 20 fucking years ago lol....

This post was edited by Sixers on Jan 26 2021 03:22pm

which shaq we talking about here?
90s or lakers shaq?

90s shaq was super athletic, and would easily fit into the giannis mold with less jumpers and more post-up game.
Easily could defend pnr rofl.

later lakers years shaq had some overweight years.
So yes would be a liability on pnr, however most centers in this league are as well...
On the flip side who would be stopping someone that has 50+ pounds on you minimum.
Small ball centers legit would foul out by halftime.

This post was edited by potentate on Jan 26 2021 04:00pm

Shaq was always a weak P&R defender, always. Even with the Magic, he still wasn't defending that. He was worse with the Lakers of course (when he got bigger), but he was always weak defending outside of the paint.

Most centers in todays game are not a liability defending the P&R. Embiid is terrific defending it for a guy at 7'2'' 280 lbs, AD, etc, are as well. Even guys that don't look as good at it today would be great compared to the big men of past that couldn't defend a guy facing up on the perimeter to save their life.

The court was essentially smaller then, they shot FAR fewer threes per game (like really FAR FAR FAR fewer rofl) and most of the game was played at the rim or in the mid-range range. Even when guys were shooting threes, they were AT the line and not pulling up from well beyond it like it's common to see today. Centers had one job back then, and that was to defend the rim and stay in the paint. Since opposing bigs weren't stretching the floor they literally had no reason to leave the paint area on defense either.

Also, Giannis is soooo much faster than Shaq and he can actually handle the ball and face up and create for himself. That was not Shaq, even with the Magic. Big boy was an athletic freak for his size in the NBA's standards 20 years ago, but todays game is wayyy faster, and way more space. I'm not saying he wouldn't succeed, but he'd be nowhere near as valuable as he was then.

This post was edited by Sixers on Jan 26 2021 04:21pm

LOL Prime Shaq would FEAST on embiid and it wouldn’t be close.

Yes they run a ton more pnr in todays game compared to before and its a bit more spread out.
So yes that does work against the traditional center. He would still be a terrific rim defender.

However on the other side, how exactly do you deny shaq post position?
With more 3pt shooters, you also have the ability to spread the floor alot more, allowing centers to have more room to work around.
This means its alot harder to double shaq.
And when do you double, playing through shaq would give a TON of open 3s rofl.
Beneficial during playoffs when halfcourt sets are alot more important and pace is alot slower.

Giannis plays from top of the key, and so many times we see him being ineffective late in games because teams can easily deny driving lanes when game slows down.
Loved what Jokic was doing in the playoffs last year in the mid-post. Guy was beasting, and is nearly averaging a triple double this year.

This post was edited by potentate on Jan 26 2021 04:48pm

LOL


Nawww but I almost low key edited and said you would know

Embiid is a little taller, equal wingspans, although Shaq obviously has the power advantage which is crazy to think considering how big and strong Embiid is (Shaq was just a freakishly strong dude). He takes the strength advantage, but Embiid destroys him in terms of skill set and versatility....Shaq isn't facing up and crossing guys over and hitting off balance fades or shooting 40% from 3pt lmao. And Shaq sure as shit isn't defending anyone on the perimeter like Embiid can do. Plus, Shaq can't hit his free throws either (Embiid is an 84% FT shooter).

Shaq is the best low post scorer in NBA history, in terms of dominance. Nobody is denying that. He'd get his in the low post post, but he'd get EXPLOITED anywhere else in todays game. Much like Jordan, people love nostalgia and over time guys get better as their legacy grows after they stopped playing but the reality is the NBA has gone completely away from Shaq's style of play and that's fact. Shaq can talk all the shit he wants, but in todays league he'd get run up and down that court so much more than he ever did and he'd actually have to MOVE around on defense.

This post was edited by Sixers on Jan 26 2021 06:06pm