Would Shaq be GOAT if...

[Deus]

many fans consider Shaq the GOAT anyway

i think he's the GOHG, but not the GOAT

[Kobay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeFmmtFbnM

[Craig McDermott]

If he could have hit his FTs in his prime in a normal rate, lets say in the lower 80%?

I mean he would have been absolutely unstoppable, as hack a shaq wouldnt work? Plus he would have had at least 5 PPG more, he could play the final minutes of close games etc...

So would Shaq have been GOAT or at elast the greatest big to play the game if he had a FT shot?

Conditioning and taking the reg season seriously are what kept him from GOAT considerations, not his FT shooting. Iverson and Duncan wouldn't have won MVPs in 01 and 02 if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have had gout if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have come into camp fat during his prime if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have waited til training camp for surgery if not for that.

[LiquidFire]

After miami won the ship, he PROMISED the city that he would bring back another ring, and he garenteed it.

[hermes]

maybe he'd be GOAT if he didn't need help winning his titles(kobe and wade)

[UGA Hayes]

Shaq is always going to be penalized for his work ethic. His productivity is probably better than people realize, but its hard for people (including me) to overlook that he pretty much accomplished what he did due to sheer size and not any attempt to become more skilled as a player. You lose a lot of respect as a player when you don't work hard, regardless of what you accomplish.

[RJM]

Shaq would have been the GOAT if he...

-Had the work ethic of a Karl Malone/Michael Jordan.

-Hit at least 75% of his FTs.

-Had a better attitude towards game play and player personnel.

-Made a dedicated effort to improve his game offseason after offseason.

-Didn't let his ego get in the way of success.

-Dedicated himself more on the defensive end.

-Had some kind of midrange game from at least 12-15 feet that could be used.

[tnugget]

How the hell is shaq lazy?

"When the heat is on, PAIN IS GONE"

[RJM]

Then why is he always injured? That **** is just for endorsement money.

[penbeast0]

-= original quote snipped =-



Conditioning and taking the reg season seriously are what kept him from GOAT considerations, not his FT shooting. Iverson and Duncan wouldn't have won MVPs in 01 and 02 if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have had gout if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have come into camp fat during his prime if not for that. Shaq wouldn't have waited til training camp for surgery if not for that.

No, not winning titles consistently year in and year out are what keeps him from being considered GOAT. In terms of pure talent and statistical dominance, Wilt will always be the number one guy until someone comes along that consistently produces half again what anyone else in the league is producing or better.

But, in terms of winning, the GOAT has to go to either Russell or MJ, both of whom dominated the title chase for a substantial period of years (Russell 11 of 13, MJ 6 of 6 though he wasn't able to get his team over the top in the early part of his career and took two years off during his run) . . . neither Shaq not anyone else has approached that level of domination since the clock changed basketball. If Shaq had 10 rings with exactly the same stats and weaknesses he has had, he'd be the GOAT.

[tsherkin]

Just FWIW, if Shaq had hit just 70% from the line on his career, he would have scored another 1,789 points and raised his career scoring average by 1.79 ppg.

In his best year at the line, he drew 13.1 FTA/g (00-01); if he'd hit 70% then, he'd have scored an extra 2.5 ppg and averaged about 31.2 ppg.

But that still wouldn't have made him the GOAT; Shaq was never sufficiently committed to defense and rebounding to be that and his ego routinely got in the way of his interactions with his second stars until he recognized that he was on the decline.

He never had the attitude to be the GOAT.

[bringinhinkie]

lol at the shaq being the goat if he hit his fts n had a better attitude.. only shot this guy has a GOAT is if barry bonds juices him up and he averages 35 and 15 the next 3 years and wins a threepeat

[basketball royalty]

Just FWIW, if Shaq had hit just 70% from the line on his career, he would have scored another 1,789 points and raised his career scoring average by 1.79 ppg.

In his best year at the line, he drew 13.1 FTA/g (00-01); if he'd hit 70% then, he'd have scored an extra 2.5 ppg and averaged about 31.2 ppg.

But that still wouldn't have made him the GOAT; Shaq was never sufficiently committed to defense and rebounding to be that and his ego routinely got in the way of his interactions with his second stars until he recognized that he was on the decline.

He never had the attitude to be the GOAT.

This part made me think of Wilt Chamberlain, or atleast my perception of him as I was too young to see him play.

Shaq won 4 rings and I would side with him when it came to his problems with Penny and Kobe, but I agree that his defense and rebounding could have been alot better, aswell as his drive in the regular season which was too often set to cruise control.

[EHL]

If Shaq had the work ethic of someone like Karl Malone, Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant he would be considered as the GOAT right now IMO.

Pretty much. /thread.

[RockTHECasbah]

HOW MANY SHATS???????

[Doctor MJ]

If he could have hit his FTs in his prime in a normal rate, lets say in the lower 80%?

I mean he would have been absolutely unstoppable, as hack a shaq wouldnt work? Plus he would have had at least 5 PPG more, he could play the final minutes of close games etc...

So would Shaq have been GOAT or at elast the greatest big to play the game if he had a FT shot?

That might have made him have the GOAT peak, but it does nothing about Shaq not living up to his potential due to being out of shape when considering GOAT career.

[Jordan23Forever]

If he could have hit his FTs in his prime in a normal rate, lets say in the lower 80%?

I mean he would have been absolutely unstoppable, as hack a shaq wouldnt work? Plus he would have had at least 5 PPG more, he could play the final minutes of close games etc...

So would Shaq have been GOAT or at elast the greatest big to play the game if he had a FT shot?

If he did this and made a better effort on defense and his conditioning, he'd probably be the GOAT without question, since he'd have 5-7 33 pt/15 reb/3.5 blk/58% FG seasons and at least 4 rings.

[EHL]

^ He'd have 6 rings minimum. 99-00 to 03-04 is 5 straight, plus one in Miami in 05-06. If he hadn't left the Lakers, 7 rings or more.

[bringinhinkie]

^ He'd have 6 rings minimum. 99-00 to 03-04 is 5 straight, plus one in Miami in 05-06. If he hadn't left the Lakers, 7 rings or more.

uhh did tim duncan and the spurs all the sudden suck? and shaq was on the lakers in 03-04, they LOST in the finals to detroit.. ???

[Doctor MJ]

-= original quote snipped =-



uhh did tim duncan and the spurs all the sudden suck? and shaq was on the lakers in 03-04, they LOST in the finals to detroit.. ???

I think you're confused on multiple levels.

Duncan's Spurs have never been at peak Shaq-Kobe Lakers level.

'03-04 Shaq was obviously a far different animal than the hypothetical guy we're talking about who wasn't obese.