Kawhi v.s Jordan v.s Shaq (peak only)

One_and_Done · Post #1 » by **One_and_Done** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:44 am

In today's league who would you take for peak play?

70sFan · Post #2 » by **70sFan** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 12:59 pm

Jordan
Shaq
Kawhi

in that order

eminence · Post #3 » by **eminence** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 1:18 pm

Agreed with 70s. Kawhis health is just too unreliable and I think there are valid questions around Shaq on D (relative). MJ might not be the best player in the league depending on season, but I think he’s your best bet here.

One_and_Done · Post #4 » by **One_and_Done** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:18 pm

It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

Post #5 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:22 pm

If Kawhi put together health, offensive peak, and defensive peak, he would be in this conversation but I don't think he has ever managed that all.

Joao Saraiva · Post #6 » by **Joao Saraiva** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:27 pm

Jordan and Shaq are a toss for me, but in today's league give me Jordan. Shaq is too heavy and doesn't want to get out a lot on defense. While on offense I believe he'd still be among the best (if not the best player) I think he's more of a liability than MJ by a hair.

Kawih was great at his peak, but he's not tier 1 for me. He's not a better scorer than the other two, doesn't bring the same gravity and at his peak I don't consider Kawih a better defender than MJ.

Colbinii · Post #7 » by **Colbinii** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:33 pm

One_and_Done wrote:It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

So what year is that?

Ambrose · Post #8 » by **Ambrose** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:39 pm

Jordan
Shaq

Kawhi

rk2023 · Post #9 » by **rk2023** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:42 pm

I agree with Eminence and 70s here. It's Jordan and this isn't rather close imo. I have too many concerns about Shaq's defense today. Regarding Kawhi, he's never had the proactive approach on offense - ergo off-ball movement, timely rim pressure - paired with a world-class scoring game akin to Jordan (tho he's underrated in this regard since taking his talents to LA). I think he'd be somewhat better on defense nowadays, but not enough to outweigh a pretty decent offensive gap.

70sFan · Post #10 » by **70sFan** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 7:53 pm

One_and_Done wrote:It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

Oh, in this case:

Jordan
Shaq
Kawhi

MyUniBroDavis · Post #11 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 10:17 pm

One_and_Done wrote:It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

He Lowkey got hurt in the playoffs lol

One_and_Done · Post #12 » by **One_and_Done** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 10:30 pm

I watch Kawhi and Jordan games, and come away feeling 100% certain Kawhi would own him.

Matt15 · Post #13 » by **Matt15** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 10:42 pm

1. Jordan
2. Shaq
3. Kawhi

Kawhi is closer to Kobe than Jordan.

ShaqAttac · Post #14 » by **ShaqAttac** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 10:58 pm

MyUniBroDavis wrote:
One_and_Done wrote:It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

He Lowkey got hurt in the playoffs lol

2017 kawhi was cookin the goat team. he might cook both

MyUniBroDavis · Post #15 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Thu Nov 2, 2023 11:55 pm

ShaqAttac wrote:
MyUniBroDavis wrote:
One_and_Done wrote:It's peak only, and peak Kawhi is healthy

He Lowkey got hurt in the playoffs lol

2017 kawhi was cookin the goat team. he might cook both

2017 Kawhi also got hurt although it was dirty

One_and_Done · Post #16 » by **One_and_Done** » Fri Nov 3, 2023 12:01 am

I don't even count that injury, because you're rewarding guys for not making it that far in the playoffs. If Jordan gets a crowbar to the leg in the ECFs he's hurt that year too.

But you could as easily use 2019.

VanWest82 · Post #17 » by **VanWest82** » Fri Nov 3, 2023 12:40 am

Yeah good point. Kawhi hardly ever got hurt in his prime and Jordan was just extremely lucky not getting hurt during his entire prime.

MiamiBulls · Post #18 » by **MiamiBulls** » Fri Nov 3, 2023 1:07 am

Peak/Prime Kawhi was always physically compromised.

2017: PS Injury
2018: DNP(Injured)
2019: PS Injury/Missed 22 Regular Season Gms
2020: Only 57 Gms played with a 6 months layoff
2021: PS Injury/Missed 20 Regular Season Gms
2022: DNP(Injured)
2023: PS Injury/Missed 30 Regular Season Gms

He peaked defensively in 2014-2016, peaked as a scorer in 2019, peaked as a playmaker in 2021 all the while being physically comprised with tendinopathy.

"Healthy Peak Kawhi" is fantasy fiction, it doesn't actually exist.

Gregoire · Post #19 » by **Gregoire** » Fri Nov 3, 2023 8:00 am

All-time peaks:

1. MJ - 99 from 100
2. LeBron/Shaq - 97 from 100
...
...
...
15-17 approximately Leonard - 89 from 100

Djoker · Post #20 » by **Djoker** » Fri Nov 3, 2023 2:40 pm

Love me some Kawhi but he's 3rd here and not even because of durability. He's just a tier below. Shaq as others said and I agree would struggle more defensively in today's NBA which is a concern but I still think on offense, he would be unstoppable and surrounded by shooters.. yikes.

1. Jordan
2. Shaq
3. Kawhi

Whose peak would be best today?