Booker & Ayton truly has Shaq & Kobe potential

[DirtyDez]

ESPN running with the hype train. I don't like it

Ayton started it, so lets see how close he can replicate Shaq's rookie season. Shaq improved the Magic by 20 wins, while averaging 23.4, 13.9, 3.5 bpg, and 1.9 apg.

I'll be really happy if he can average double digit rebounds and more than 2 bpg, especially if he brings better defense than expected.

I think there’s some similarities there. Shaq was obviously a big reason for the 20-win improvement but they already had some legit young players. Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson were already 20 ppg scorers plus Skiles was a legit PG. Ayton isn’t Shaq but there will be games he takes over as a rookie.

[lilfishi22]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

[SlovenianDragon]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

You?!?! What about the rest of us!

[Fo-Real]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

Ayton could simply give us the equivalent of Alex Len with hands that can actually catch and he would be a significant upgrade to our record and competing. He is much more than that, he is a force you have to pay actual attention to, help on, double. The gravity alone makes us significantly more dangerous if we can stick easier shots. He is even more than that, can actually shoot ( Alex and Tyson WHO?), can pass and can get to the basket. I AM EXCITED for years of development to come.

[bwgood77]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

I agree. I'll be happy with that. I'm just saying that Ayton put that hype on himself when he compared himself to Shaq. So I'd like to challenge him to see what he can deliver.

[lilfishi22]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

Ayton could simply give us the equivalent of Alex Len with hands that can actually catch and he would be a significant upgrade to our record and competing. He is much more than that, he is a force you have to pay actual attention to, help on, double. The gravity alone makes us significantly more dangerous if we can stick easier shots. He is even more than that, can actually shoot ( Alex and Tyson WHO?), can pass and can get to the basket. I AM EXCITED for years of development to come.

This is my issue. I hope he attracts this level of attention but most teams would rather give up a contested shot in the post than help off a 3PT shot. I think he has an effect on defense, I don't think it's as big of an impact as some make it out to be. He's not gonna have a Shaq level gravity. Hell, even Embiid didn't attract that kind of gravity.

[lilfishi22]

Shaq is a generational game/rule changer. I think it's ridiculous to put that kind of expectation or hype around Ayton

If Ayton gives me like 16/10 with 1.5blks and better than advertised defense, that's already a great rookie season. But like DD just mentioned, there will be games where Ayton is just on a roll and can't be stopped but that's a farcry from Shaq who was like that in every game. I mean, first 5 games of Shaq's rookie season he was already putting up 26/16/3.4blks lol

I agree. I'll be happy with that. I'm just saying that Ayton put that hype on himself when he compared himself to Shaq. So I'd like to challenge him to see what he can deliver.

I'm really hoping putting this pressure on himself and all that hoopla between him and Embiid would push him to be a great player. Otherwise he's just a dog with a bigger bark than his bite

[BurningHeart]

Shaq and Kobe were insufferable, cancerous, primadonna, attention whore twatbags who couldn't coexist despite winning multiple championships because they're both severely incompatible with themselves and anyone else.

They were----and are----both detestable in every way. And they made a mockery of the game they played, what with the travel and offensive foul on literally every possession from the gargantuan, clownish **** and the whining and pouting and scowling and bitching and moaning any time anything didn't go the spoiled, anointed golden boy's way.

Despite their success, I hope like hell our duo is nothing like those two.

[bwgood77]

Shaq and Kobe were insufferable, cancerous, primadonna, attention whore twatbags who couldn't coexist despite winning multiple championships because they're both severely incompatible with themselves and anyone else.

They were----and are----both detestable in every way. And they made a mockery of the game they played, what with the travel and offensive foul on literally every possession from the gargantuan, clownish **** and the whining and pouting and scowling and bitching and moaning any time anything didn't go the spoiled, anointed golden boy's way.

Despite their success, I hope like hell our duo is nothing like those two.

I'm the same way. I liked neither of those guys. I liked Shaq ok early in his career. Kobe was always full of himself, and never a likable player to me, and Shaq became that way.

I prefer a little more humbleness..let your dominating play speak for itself. I also think Booker is a much better shooter than Kobe ever way and he's obviously less effective defensively....same goes for Ayton when compared to Shaq, but hopefully they end up bringing it to some extent on that side.