RealGM

How many years of Shaq would you take over Peak Giannis?

At this point, probably only 2000-2003.

98-2002 maybe

LukaTheGOAT wrote:98-2002 maybe

98 seems tough given all the games missed. Same for 99 since Shaq wasn’t real good in the playoffs.

Probably any version of Shaq from 95-03. As great as Giannis is, a 20-something Shaq is one of the most powerful weapons in the history of the game.

00, 01, 02

No-more-rings wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:98-2002 maybe

98 seems tough given all the games missed. Same for 99 since Shaq wasn’t real good in the playoffs.

I don't necessarily ding as much as others for missed games, especially RS ones. I am more focused on finding the goodness of a player. Also, I just believe in 99 Shaq ran into a not-so-great matchup. I still believe he was capable of many of the same things as 98 Shaq.

Matt15 wrote:How many years of Shaq would you take over Peak Giannis?

What era?

LukaTheGOAT wrote:
I don't necessarily ding as much as others for missed games, especially RS ones. I am more focused on finding the goodness of a player. Also, I just believe in 99 Shaq ran into a not-so-great matchup. I still believe he was capable of many of the same things as 98 Shaq.

I would probably agree here on the offense but how do you feel about his defense the entire season? Feels likely quite a bit below the surrounding seasons even in the RS there, no? Though it's harder to say without more RS footage both his individual and their team stuff does not look that great on that end.

Offensively, I'd take most prime Shaq seasons over Giannis. The tricky part is how good Giannis is defensively and I have heard a lot of good things about his impact, supported by my eye test.

I guess I would take 2000 and probably 2001. Then it becomes tougher. Shaq had a lot of strong seasons that are not complete due to missed games, but it's not like Giannis is a durability monster either.

2000-2002.