As far as Shaq and Dwight Howard, I'd take him over Dwight, Shaq had like a 36 inch vert, and Dwight's is upwards of 38-39, but Shaq was 7'1, to Dwight's (inflated) 6'11, with a longer wingspan, bigger and stronger hands, ran the court about as well, and was also stronger.
LeBron is the most athletically gifted wingman IMO, but he can't physically dominate a game like Shaq.
Shaq in his athletic prime or Lebron
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tsherkin
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Shaq at 295 in Orlando had a comparable vertical leap to Howard and was similarly agile; his spin was actually faster.
No disrespect to Dwight, who's a freak athlete for sure, but Shaq was more athletic and beyond that, more skilled.
Likewise, I would take a prime Shaq over Lebron, even if we're solely discussing athleticism.
No disrespect to Dwight, who's a freak athlete for sure, but Shaq was more athletic and beyond that, more skilled.
Likewise, I would take a prime Shaq over Lebron, even if we're solely discussing athleticism.
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ss_maverick wrote:Shaq. Seriously Orlando Shaq was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fukin dominant. I never watched Wilt but if he was any more athletic than that then wow. just wow.
Hakeem Olajuwon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWUIZqoNr4Q
He was past his athletic prime and still outplayed Shaq
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667Club wrote:Dwight is good but he is more like a 70 % Shaq ...
Nah, I'd say Dwight's pretty close to where Shaq was, but at about 25, 30 pounds lighter, so it's not quite as impressive... and again, Shaq's spin was faster, which is ridiculous given the weight difference.
As to Hakeem "outplaying" Shaq, that's pure myth; what you've posted is a highlight reel that doesn't show any of Shaq's rim-rattling thunderdunks or his near-unguardable hop step into the lane, or how he put 28 ppg on 58% shooting right in Olajuwon's face while Dream shot under 50% and took 10 more shots a game.
Shaq did his thing; Nick Anderson and the roleplayers failed to help Diesel, Penny and Ho, unfortunately.
