Eagle4 wrote:NZB2323 wrote:Eagle4 wrote:I consider 1 singular year to be one's peak and multiple years to be one's prime. So do '00 Shaq specifically and then do Jokic's best year and THEN report back.
Shaq 2000: 57.8 TS%, 3.8 assists per game.
Jokic 2023: 70.1 TS%, 9.8 assists per game.
Also if Shaq played today teams could play zone defense, try hack-a-Shaq, flop, ect. Shaq wouldn’t dunk on every play and have a FG% of 100%.
Not what I asked. Also once again era, pace, etc. You guys like answering questions with things that have little relation. I didn't say he'd have a fg of 99.99%, use your brain. I implied that not many players today would be able to guard Shaq and dunks are 99.99% rate (a dunk can be missed). Back then teams literally stocked up and bigs to guard Shaq. Teams tried all they could back then, implementing various defenses, were overall tougher and couldn't stop him. You think smaller less stout defenders have a chance over someone 150 pounds heavier? Get real.
Zion is proof enough that Shaq would wreck this league. Stop overthinking things.
I agree Shaq would do well, like Zion, but in a playoff series if the Miami Heat use a zone on Shaq that could diminish his effectiveness.
Back then, zone defense was illegal, and we’ve seen the Miami Heat and the 2011 Mavs have a lot of success with it. Zone defense worked pretty well against Wilt in college. Shaq himself said it was easier for him in the NBA than in college because in college teams could play zone defense against him.
https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/shaquille-oneal-on-why-it-was-easier-to-play-in-the-nba-than-in-college