Shaq and Kobe replace Jokic and Gallo in Denver 2017

[migya]

Shaq and Kobe, 2001, replace Jokic and Gallo in Denver in 2017, do they beat the Warriors and win it all that year? How would they perform up to 2019?

Reckon they win, even with worse supporting cast. Shaq and Kobe are too much in their strengths compared to Curry and Durant and GS couldn't defend to those strengths.

[MacGill]

Greatest top ATG combination ever assembled.

[Owly]

Shaq and Kobe, 2001, replace Jokic and Gallo in Denver in 2017, do they beat the Warriors and win it all that year? How would they perform up to 2019?

Reckon they win, even with worse supporting cast. Shaq and Kobe are too much in their strengths compared to Curry and Durant and GS couldn't defend to those strengths.

Fwiw
Denver are
+42 overall

+289 with Jokic on (so -247 off)
+159 with Gallo on (so -117 off)

On off for Jokic is+11.5 and on is +5.6 (both from B-Ref)

So they aren't great it the Jokic off minutes (in a fair size sample including some straight up absences with otherwise starter units).

Shaq and Kobe in their environment played more and appeared to have more impact. How they adapt to era (esp spacing on D for Shaq), how happy they are to play in Denver with Malone (versus LA with Jackson), how they can function without blowing up or hurting chemistry in a different context ... would all be up for grabs. Relating to one of the above ... if one likes them ... how they match up with GS would then be relevant too.

[Colbinii]

The Nuggets clearly lose to the Warriors.

[TheGOATRises007]

Warriors still win.

[migya]

Shaq and Kobe, 2001, replace Jokic and Gallo in Denver in 2017, do they beat the Warriors and win it all that year? How would they perform up to 2019?

Reckon they win, even with worse supporting cast. Shaq and Kobe are too much in their strengths compared to Curry and Durant and GS couldn't defend to those strengths.

Fwiw
Denver are
+42 overall

+289 with Jokic on (so -247 off)
+159 with Gallo on (so -117 off)

On off for Jokic is+11.5 and on is +5.6 (both from B-Ref)

So they aren't great it the Jokic off minutes (in a fair size sample including some straight up absences with otherwise starter units).

Shaq and Kobe in their environment played more and appeared to have more impact. How they adapt to era (esp spacing on D for Shaq), how happy they are to play in Denver with Malone (versus LA with Jackson), how they can function without blowing up or hurting chemistry in a different context ... would all be up for grabs. Relating to one of the above ... if one likes them ... how they match up with GS would then be relevant too.

Warriors just couldn't defend both Shaq and Kobe. Pachulia and Warriors bigs didn't shoot threes so that isn't a factor against Shaq, as well overblown that aspect is nowadays. The havoc Shaq would cause would be massive, Kobe to a lesser but very effective extent.

[Owly]

Shaq and Kobe, 2001, replace Jokic and Gallo in Denver in 2017, do they beat the Warriors and win it all that year? How would they perform up to 2019?

Reckon they win, even with worse supporting cast. Shaq and Kobe are too much in their strengths compared to Curry and Durant and GS couldn't defend to those strengths.

Fwiw
Denver are
+42 overall

+289 with Jokic on (so -247 off)
+159 with Gallo on (so -117 off)

On off for Jokic is+11.5 and on is +5.6 (both from B-Ref)

So they aren't great it the Jokic off minutes (in a fair size sample including some straight up absences with otherwise starter units).

Shaq and Kobe in their environment played more and appeared to have more impact. How they adapt to era (esp spacing on D for Shaq), how happy they are to play in Denver with Malone (versus LA with Jackson), how they can function without blowing up or hurting chemistry in a different context ... would all be up for grabs. Relating to one of the above ... if one likes them ... how they match up with GS would then be relevant too.

Warriors just couldn't defend both Shaq and Kobe. Pachulia and Warriors bigs didn't shoot threes so that isn't a factor against Shaq, as well overblown that aspect is nowadays. The havoc Shaq would cause would be massive, Kobe to a lesser but very effective extent.

Obviously you're entitled to whatever opinion you want ... I've said it's open ... since you responded I'll offer some further thoughts, expand a bit ...

- 3 of the Warriors top 7 playoff minute lineups are Draymond-Durant as bigs lineups
- All three are +15 or better (in tiny samples) two are the two best (of the 10 visible) at +31.2. +27.0
- I imagine where required (i.e. close or down) those lineups see more action, West, McGee, Pachulia less.

"Warriors bigs don't shoot threes" ... Draymond fired off about 2.5 a game in the RS (at .308) and 4.6 (at .410) in the playoffs that year ... single playoff, individual player shooting is a small sample for accuracy of course. But he is definitely at least a "big" and he is shooting (maybe you can live with that) ... if Durant is one too ...

Spacing on D for Shaq ... also didn't relate only to 3pt shooting. Just on the shooting (general) side, West's most frequent range (of the Reference buckets) in both the RS and playoffs is 15ft to 3pt. Zaza is much lower volume but nonetheless competent 15ft shooter, McGee not so much. But even shooting generally isn't the limit of it. Draymond is an active screener and playmaker. This could test Shaq's motor and ability and willingness to defend in space.

Shaq was great, and much like the vast majority of teams in his own time (perhaps all at his very apex), the Warriors aren't going to "stop" Shaq ... especially one on one. That I absolutely agree with. I struggle more with playing down the defensive challenges that GS pose to him (not an expert but what I hear/read on defensive motor, PnR coverage, lateral movement and out in space defending ... generally not so good).

[migya]

Fwiw
Denver are
+42 overall

+289 with Jokic on (so -247 off)
+159 with Gallo on (so -117 off)

On off for Jokic is+11.5 and on is +5.6 (both from B-Ref)

So they aren't great it the Jokic off minutes (in a fair size sample including some straight up absences with otherwise starter units).

Shaq and Kobe in their environment played more and appeared to have more impact. How they adapt to era (esp spacing on D for Shaq), how happy they are to play in Denver with Malone (versus LA with Jackson), how they can function without blowing up or hurting chemistry in a different context ... would all be up for grabs. Relating to one of the above ... if one likes them ... how they match up with GS would then be relevant too.

Warriors just couldn't defend both Shaq and Kobe. Pachulia and Warriors bigs didn't shoot threes so that isn't a factor against Shaq, as well overblown that aspect is nowadays. The havoc Shaq would cause would be massive, Kobe to a lesser but very effective extent.

Obviously you're entitled to whatever opinion you want ... I've said it's open ... since you responded I'll offer some further thoughts, expand a bit ...

- 3 of the Warriors top 7 playoff minute lineups are Draymond-Durant as bigs lineups
- All three are +15 or better (in tiny samples) two are the two best (of the 10 visible) at +31.2. +27.0
- I imagine where required (i.e. close or down) those lineups see more action, West, McGee, Pachulia less.

"Warriors bigs don't shoot threes" ... Draymond fired off about 2.5 a game in the RS (at .308) and 4.6 (at .410) in the playoffs that year ... single playoff, individual player shooting is a small sample for accuracy of course. But he is definitely at least a "big" and he is shooting (maybe you can live with that) ... if Durant is one too ...

Spacing on D for Shaq ... also didn't relate only to 3pt shooting. Just on the shooting (general) side, West's most frequent range (of the Reference buckets) in both the RS and playoffs is 15ft to 3pt. Zaza is much lower volume but nonetheless competent 15ft shooter, McGee not so much. But even shooting generally isn't the limit of it. Draymond is an active screener and playmaker. This could test Shaq's motor and ability and willingness to defend in space.

Shaq was great, and much like the vast majority of teams in his own time (perhaps all at his very apex), the Warriors aren't going to "stop" Shaq ... especially one on one. That I absolutely agree with. I struggle more with playing down the defensive challenges that GS pose to him (not an expert but what I hear/read on defensive motor, PnR coverage, lateral movement and out in space defending ... generally not so good).

Prime Shaq was a good defender, at times great, and his shotblocking is something the Warriors team just didn't face. They would have to shoot rather than score near the basket, a good result for any defensive team. If Durant is a big, he gets roasted inside and in reality fouls out, takes a toll on him on offense. Draymond can shoot a heap, that's the worst strategy for the Warriors.