UcanUwill wrote:FreeBird23 wrote:UcanUwill wrote:
Yes I agree, Shaq got somehow forgotten by OP, if we just talking skill, talent, ability, and not overall career achievements, which of course, Shaq has those as well. But Shaq is up there when it comes to peak dominance. Man was on another level.
I remember Bill and Lowe were discussing something few years ago, and they touched on Shaq's Heat trade, and Bill pretty nonchalant says - when you trade for that Shaq, even olded Shaq, he still pretty much guarantees you at least one trip to the finals still. -
Not sure that take is true. I mean, Shaq went to finals and won finals with the Heat, but was it guarantee I am not sure. But either way, how nany players in the last 40 years can even grant such claim to begin with? Certainly LeBron in my opinion. Does Jokic guarantee a trip to the finals, or can you at least see Bill or someone say such a thing?
The thing is, people just think that Shaq was a fat dude dunking on people.
He was an athlete even at 385lbs and his footwork was elite. Also, his passing skill was great for a guy who was often double/triple teamed and able to find the open man
Shaqs athleticism was absolutely insane. No one has moved under that weight as Shaq. I remember when CAVS played that game against Olympiacos, and we got Shaq vs Sofoklis. Even CAVS Shaq moved way better than Sofoklis and Shaq was actually stronger than him. They remain top 2 strongest basketball players I have ever seen and the gap between these 2 and the next guy who woukd be third place, is rather enourmous. I have no doubt it was the only time in Schortsanitis' career where he was overpowered and not just outrunned.
And yes, Shaq was a good passer, he was one of the best passing centers, was pretty good at long transition starting passes. Was not elite as Divac or Webber or Brad Miller even, and by todays standards, he wouldn't be special, but his passing was very good.
Was Shaq stronger than Ben Wallace? He was more massive and such he could leverage people more. But in terms of raw strength?