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They have already mentioned it before that they believe they could be the next Shaq and Kobe. I think the potential is legit as Booker will be what SG in few years and even though I worry about Ayton defense his offense is def special. I don't think they'll be dominant duo because of Ayton lack of defense but what y'all think. Are they the new Shaq and Kobe

Anything is possible !!!!

Yes, let's reevaluate in 3-4 years when both are fully developed.

They have a very strong possibility of being an amazing pick and roll Duo

Nope.

You'll never see another Shaquille O'neal, so no.

Booker is on Kobe’s level of striving for greatness but neither of them are the physical talents those guys were.

Booker plays a really good pick and roll with Tyson Chandler. I imagine it will be an offensive staple of the Suns if Ayton learns to roll as well as Chandler.

Kobe and Shaq lite are enough to win a title..... They can definitely be that. Shaq and Kobe are possibly the best Center to every play the game and second best SG. I think Ayton could be closer to Shaq than Booker is closer to Kobe because Ayton has similar ability although not the same physical specimen as Shaq, he shoots better, so that's in his favor. Gotta tune up the mental motor though. I think Devin has more of that, so that makes him closer to Kobe.

Ayton will beast. Its too easy when he gets the ball in good position. Add in a couple of post moves with his shot. Its all good.

Yeah Booker and Ayton probably won't be at Kobe or Shaq's level of dominance or 2 way talent. But I will take 80% of Kobe/Shaq in Booker/Ayton with Jackson/Bender/Bridges/Okobo/Chriss (maybe) rounding out the role players

Kobe and Kwame Brown

kennydorglas wrote:Kobe and Kwame Brown

So you're just gonna openly root against a Suns player because you wanted Doncic huh lol?

Booker will never be the defender or athlete young Kobe was, and I don't see Ayton winning scoring titles like Shaq did.

Devin will probably also never have multiple 30 PPG seasons like Kobe did and Ayton lacks Shaq's basketball IQ.

So, basically, the answer to this question is no.

But they could be a nice 1-2 punch in the future as long as you surround them with the right pieces.

Big NBA Fan wrote:Booker will never be the defender or athlete young Kobe was, and I don't see Ayton winning scoring titles like Shaq did.

Devin will probably also never have multiple 30 PPG seasons like Kobe did and Ayton lacks Shaq's basketball IQ.

So, basically, the answer to this question is no.

But they could be a nice 1-2 punch in the future as long as you surround them with the right pieces.

I agree

That's a 3Peat level pairing in Kobe/Shaq and that' only happened a number of times in NBA history. I haven't seen anything from Ayton or Booker that indicates they are close to the same level of players Kobe and Shaq were.

That's a 3Peat level pairing in Kobe/Shaq and that' only happened a number of times in NBA history.

Although, to be fair, I don't think there's any doubt that Kings were the best team in 2002; they lost that series on a Robert Horry (Who else?) buzzer beater in Game 4 and got screwed by the officials in Game 6, when they gave the Lakers 27 (!) free throws in the 4th quarter! And the Lakers still barely won Game 6.

Kings were robbed that year.

Similar to how Horry cost the 2007 Suns the title with the hip-check on Nash.

Big NBA Fan wrote:

That's a 3Peat level pairing in Kobe/Shaq and that' only happened a number of times in NBA history.

Although, to be fair, I don't think there's any doubt that Kings were the best team in 2002; they lost that series on a Robert Horry (Who else?) buzzer beater in Game 4 and got screwed by the officials in Game 6, when they gave the Lakers 27 (!) free throws in the 4th quarter! And the Lakers still barely won Game 6.

Kings were robbed that year.

Similar to how Horry cost the 2007 Suns the title with the hip-check on Nash.

Of course but the Lakers in 02 weren't that far behind and even if you give that one to SacTown, they are still a 2 title pairing.

lilfishi22 wrote:

Big NBA Fan wrote:Booker will never be the defender or athlete young Kobe was, and I don't see Ayton winning scoring titles like Shaq did.

Devin will probably also never have multiple 30 PPG seasons like Kobe did and Ayton lacks Shaq's basketball IQ.

So, basically, the answer to this question is no.

But they could be a nice 1-2 punch in the future as long as you surround them with the right pieces.

I agree

That's a 3Peat level pairing in Kobe/Shaq and that' only happened a number of times in NBA history. I haven't seen anything from Ayton or Booker that indicates they are close to the same level of players Kobe and Shaq were.

Yeah, they were not the best team that year, and even had to have an amazing comeback their first year in the 4th qtr of game 7 against the Blazers. But in 2002 they had quite a few lucky bounces and ref calls...I remember game 4 particularly with the Kings blocking a game tying shot at the end only for it to end up in Horry's hands to sink a 3.....the Kings were about to go up 3-1 and that play just worked their way and free throws worked their way in an amazing fashion in game 7.

They are not a GREAT 3 peat team imo....that 2001 team was unstoppable though. But our players are far far behind those guys. I'm not sure they will ever get near as good defensively as Kobe and Shaq. And people compare Kobe to Jordan, but there is no real comparison. Jordan was great because not only was he relentlessly unstoppable on offense, but he was relentless on defense to where he wouldn't let the other guy beat him. He killed you on offense and then shut you down the other way. These days people say "he spends so much energy on offense, that he can't give it all on D"...well that was never the case with Jordan...particularly not in big games.

Will either of them play good enough defense to be comparable to Shaq and Kobe?

There is your answer.

jcsunsfan wrote:Will either of them play good enough defense to be comparable to Shaq and Kobe?

There is your answer.

For the record. Shaq wasn’t a great defender. He was actually very lazy and chose his moments. If Curry can become a passable defender Booker sure can.

Big NBA Fan wrote:Devin will probably also never have multiple 30 PPG seasons like Kobe did and Ayton lacks Shaq's basketball IQ.

Disagree on the Devin probability of multiple 30ppg seasons. He already had a 25ppg season at 21 years of age. He's definitely likely to have a few 30ppg seasons if the team can spread things out for him and give him more space to operate instead of constantly fighting double and triple teams because he's the only threat to score.