migya wrote:Djoker wrote:You could definitely make a strong case that 90's Robinson was better than 90's Shaq. But 2000 and 2001 Shaq is better than any version of Robinson. It's pretty clear-cut too IMO.
For their lone mvp seasons the numbers are:
Robinson 1994-95 -
RS - 81gm, 38mins, 27.6pts, 53fg%, 8.1ftm, 77.4ft%, 10.8reb, 2.9ast, 1.7stl, 3.2blk, 2.9tos, 120OR, 99DR, 29.1PER, 60.2ts%, 10.7ows, 6.7dws, 17.5ws, .273ws/48, 9.2bpm, 8.7vorp,
Play by play (1998) 73 games, 2457 minutes, +7.8 on court, +6.4on/off
PS - 15gm, 41.5mins, 25.3pts, 44.6fg%, 8.1ftm, 81.2ft%, 12.1reb, 3.1ast, 1.5stl, 2.6blk, 3.7tos, 108OR, 98DR, 22.6PER, 53.6ts%, 0.7ows, 1.6dws, 2.3ws, .176ws/48, 6.1bpm,
Play by play (1998) 9 games, 353 minutes, +9.1 on court, +18.4 on/off
*Used play by play for 1998 as that was the only season where Robinson was the number 1 option for the Spurs and Duncan was a rookie.
Shaq 1999-2000 -
RS - 79gm, 40mins, 29.7pts, 57.4fg%, 5.5ftm, 52.4ft%, 13.6reb, 3.8ast, 0.5stl, 3blk, 2.8tos, 115OR, 95DR, 30.6PER, 57.8ts%, 11.7ows, 7dws, 18.6ws, .283ws/48, 9.3bpm, 9vorp, Play by play games, 79 games, 3163 minutes, +10.4 on court, +10.9 on/off
PS - 23gm, 43.5mins, 30.7pts, 56.6fg%, 5.9ftm, 45.6ft%, 15.4reb, 3.1ast, 0.6stl, 2.4blk, 2.4tos, 114OR, 104DR, 30.5PER, 55.6ts%
Play by play games, 23 games, 1000 minutes, +4.7 on court, +22.9 on/off
It's very close. Offensively Shaq has the only clear advantage in points, and by little, but even with few defensive numbers here Robinson is clearly better.
When Robinson had a good perimeter player, Elliott in 95 and 96, he had arguably his best seasons and was good in the playoffs. It is quite notable.
Shaq had Kobe, a good perimeter player, and when he improved Shaq was better. Shaq just happened to have one or more good perimeter players every year of his prime (1995-2006), from Penny to Van Exel and Eddie Jones to Kobe to Wade.
Give Robinson one of those four from four teams and he is seen considerably different, as in greater.
Peak Shaq is much better than Robinson offensively. 5.4 points more per game is a huge edge and on 3% higher efficiency to boot. Shaq also drew a ton of double and triple teams which gave the perimeter shooters wide open shots. I also like Shaq more as a passer even though the numbers don't show that. Replace 2000 Shaq with 1995 Robinson and no way the Lakers still win the title. The offensive gap is just way too large. Robinson's defense is better but peak Shaq was quite good on that end in the playoffs too and with young Kobe, Shaq needed to be Shaq and carry the offensive load.