RealGM

Is it really 2001? His defense seems pretty unimpressive imo

1995 ? or (unpopular opinion ) his rookie season deserves mention

I'd still go with 2001, 1995 wasn't really better on defense.

I would go with 2001, then probably 2002 and 1998.

1993Playoffs wrote:Is it really 2001? His defense seems pretty unimpressive imo

1995 ? or (unpopular opinion ) his rookie season deserves mention

Clearly 2001 given the playoff run. 2002 and 2003 are both better than any Orlando years.

No-more-rings wrote:

1993Playoffs wrote:Is it really 2001? His defense seems pretty unimpressive imo

1995 ? or (unpopular opinion ) his rookie season deserves mention

Clearly 2001 given the playoff run. 2002 and 2003 are both better than any Orlando years.

Which year was better between 02 and 03 you think?

1998 has a really underrated argument when you consider per-possession impact. Either that or 01.

mdonnelly1989 wrote:

No-more-rings wrote:

1993Playoffs wrote:Is it really 2001? His defense seems pretty unimpressive imo

1995 ? or (unpopular opinion ) his rookie season deserves mention

Clearly 2001 given the playoff run. 2002 and 2003 are both better than any Orlando years.

Which year was better between 02 and 03 you think?

Team results and impact stats point to 2002 Shaq.

LukaTheGOAT wrote:1998 has a really underrated argument when you consider per-possession impact. Either that or 01.

Absolutely wild on off stats. Imagine if he were a better free-throw shooter.

homecourtloss wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:1998 has a really underrated argument when you consider per-possession impact. Either that or 01.

Absolutely wild on off stats. Imagine if he were a better free-throw shooter.

You think if he was say 10% better FT shooter he would get more votes as the GOAT?

mdonnelly1989 wrote:

homecourtloss wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:1998 has a really underrated argument when you consider per-possession impact. Either that or 01.

Absolutely wild on off stats. Imagine if he were a better free-throw shooter.

You think if he was say 10% better FT shooter he would get more votes as the GOAT?

I actually have a doc someplace that has some calculations of some estimated on-off numbers (it’s tricky Because more points scored earlier means bigger margins may be having to put in less work later on in the game, etc.) but I think probably yes. Slightly more consistent effort on defense, a more consistent motor, and about a 10% better free-throw shooter and you’re looking at multiple years that get boosted in impact metrics right at the very top. It’s always fun when you look at those wild hypotheticals like what if you gave Larry Bird LeBron‘s athleticism, or if you gave LeBron Curry shooting, etc., but for Shaqit’s really simple – give him any scrub who is good at shooting free throws and just that one quality at it makes him an undeniable and irresistible impact monster which he already is.

homecourtloss wrote:

mdonnelly1989 wrote:

homecourtloss wrote:
Absolutely wild on off stats. Imagine if he were a better free-throw shooter.

You think if he was say 10% better FT shooter he would get more votes as the GOAT?

I actually have a doc someplace that has some calculations of some estimated on-off numbers (it’s tricky Because more points scored earlier means bigger margins may be having to put in less work later on in the game, etc.) but I think probably yes. Slightly more consistent effort on defense, a more consistent motor, and about a 10% better free-throw shooter and you’re looking at multiple years that get boosted in impact metrics right at the very top. It’s always fun when you look at those wild hypotheticals like what if you gave Larry Bird LeBron‘s athleticism, or if you gave LeBron Curry shooting, etc., but for Shaqit’s really simple – give him any scrub who is good at shooting free throws and just that one quality at it makes him an undeniable and irresistible impact monster which he already is.

Give Lebron Curry's shooting and he's averaging 40 a game for his career.