Best of luck, Laimbeer!
RotationPG: Steve Nash (36) / Alex Caruso (12)
SG: Mikal Bridges (36) / Alex Caruso (12)
SF: Tracy McGrady (24) / Bruce Bowen (24)
PF: Clifford Robinson (36) / Tracy McGrady (12)
C: Amar'e Stoudemire (36) / Ben Wallace (12)
OffenseWe play at breakneck pace. The plan is to run Shaq off the floor by a) initiating offense before the D is set around him and b) forcing him to defend in space. Shaq was a reliable rim protector, but was never asked to defend in space. Option #1 is the Nash-Amar'e PnR. Option #2 is T-Mac creating shots either for himself or for his teammates. He was an underrated passer, especially for a 6'8'' Forward. MVP Nash and prime Amar'e should be unguardable. We know for a fact they had perfect synergy. I'd argue Nash is the best PnR ball handler of all time. He was a truly elite shooter, facilitator and ball handler. No other player in the modern era has ever reached elite level at all these 3 skills. Cliffy and Bridges are mostly used as floor spacers, but can put the ball on the floor and create their own shot if necessary. Cliffy is a former all-star who averaged 18.5 points/game in his selected season on 56.4 TS%.
DefenseAmar'e drops. Cliffy risks the 3 from Isaac (32.3%) to double on Shaq. He made the all-defensive 2nd team in his selected season and ranked 8th in the DPOY voting. At 6'10'', he had the size to provide cover against Centers. Nash pre-switches and peels off to the corner. All teams have an off-ball specialist lurking in the corners. I'd expect Bell to be that guy on Laimbeer's team. Bridges and Caruso are my POA defenders. They go under the pick against Penny since he was an unreliable 3pt shooter. Wing D should be strong with 6 switchable defenders on the roster including 6'5'' Caruso and 6'9'' Ben Wallace who can comfortably switch ball screens on the perimeter. Having 3 defensive specialists coming off the bench should provide extra defensive toughness.
The Amar'e-Shaq mismatch works both ways cause Shaq isn't mobile enough to defend in space. The advanced stats suggest they were equally efficient. Shaq is a monster 1-on-1, but PnR is hands down the most lethal team move in basketball. With the right players, it becomes an unstoppable move. I'd argue I have exactly the type of players to attack Shaq's defensive weakness.
FGA2005 Steve Nash 11.4
2003 Tracy McGrady 24.2
2021 Mikal Bridges 9.3
2020 Alex Caruso 4.5
2007 Amar'e Stoudemire 12.9
2000 Clifford Robinson 14.3
2001 Bruce Bowen 7.1
2000 Ben Wallace 4.1
Total: 87.8