Was Shaq underrated?

[ThumbsUpBaby]

Shaq isn't anywhere close to being underrated.

[Big NBA Fan]

But as much as I find Shaq annoying on a personal level, I did feel kind of bad for him over the way he turned into a punching bag after 2006; he was a wonderful ambassador and face of the league in the post-MJ era ( 99-05) and the way the media did nothing but criticize him at the end was unfortunate.

Some of it was self-inflicted (Leaving Miami), but I still think it was excessive, a lot of the times.

Some stars get over-protected (Nash and Kobe), and some get overly-criticized (Shaq and LeBron) and I think he definitely fell into the second category.

Speaking of his Miami exit, it's telling as to just how ugly it was that they signed the washed-up duo of Big Z/Dampier instead of bringing Shaq back on a minimum contract.

He had a falling out with everyone from Wade, Riley, the medical staff, Chris Quinn, Antoine Walker, Ricky Davis and eventually quit on them because of how badly he wanted out.

It's good that he has seemingly patched things up with most of them and it's an example of how wounds heal over time, but I just wish for his sake that he never left.

Yes, he was terrible during his final year with them, and yes, the media did nothing but talk about how bad he was, but it was nothing compared to all the criticism that he took AFTER he left.

His decision to leave was just as bad, if not worse, than Dwight's decision to leave Orlando.

Shaq was great for the league on and off the court from 93-06, but a lot of times he left us wanting more.

When he was motivated and in-shape, he was spectacular. (93,94, 95, 98, 00-05)

So I agree that he could have been the GOAT and that he underachieved to a degree and should have retired a lot earlier, but I'm happy that many haven't forgotten his insane dominance at his peak.

I think all neutral fans like myself were happy for him when he finally broke through in 2000 because he was under A TON of pressure to win that year after the Lakers hired Phil.

He delivered a season for the ages that year.

[NCHeels2008]

Playoff Shaq was as scary as MJ

[Pumpkin17]

Best Player of all time if only he would have cared

[XxIronChainzxX]

His MVP season had me convinced he was going to become the GOAT. Unfortunately, in his own words, he thought he was finished after one championship. If he had Kobe's work ethic, good god it would've been a run like we haven't seen since Bill Russell. That's the reason he's knocked down a few pegs. After that first title he constantly had to have a fire lit under his 400 pound ass.

Absolutely. And I get why Kobe and him would have beef because it had to be maddening for a guy like Kobe who lived for bball to watch Shaq.

[Myth]

He is slightly underrated. I think he should have had 2 MVPs (2000, 2001), and should be consistently ranked higher than Kobe. I think it is mostly the Kobe fans that underrate him though in an attempt to bump up their guy.

[flow]

Shaq underachieved, to be honest.

He squandered his talent... well, he still accomplished a lot, but he definitely squandered his true potential. He could have been much better.

Shaq NEVER led the league in Rebouding !!?!
NEVER? F%cking kidding me?!?

This is what has always bothered me. Career average of 11? (10.9). Seriously? Never averaged even 14 for a season. That's disgraceful on his part. His rookie year was his highest rebounding year. Again, maddening.

He should have averaged 25, he was so physically dominant. Can never call him underrated.

.

[50CalClips]

He is slightly underrated. I think he should have had 2 MVPs (2000, 2001), and should be consistently ranked higher than Kobe. I think it is mostly the Kobe fans that underrate him though in an attempt to bump up their guy.

Shaq is overrated... and... Kobe is overrated.

Both things can be true (and are true).

[50CalClips]

Best Player of all time if only he would have cared

Shaq is the lazy-man's favorite player.

Shaq was lucky to have Wade and Kobe.

[Pumpkin17]

Best Player of all time if only he would have cared

Shaq is the lazy-man's favorite player.

Shaq was lucky to have Wade and Kobe.

Wade was lucky to have Shaq and Bron.

Kobe was lucky to have Shaq, then was great bu itself.

[socal74]

Best Player of all time if only he would have cared

Shaq is the lazy-man's favorite player.

Shaq was lucky to have Wade and Kobe.

Wade was lucky to have Shaq and Bron.

Kobe was lucky to have Shaq, then was great bu itself.

What kind of dumb logic is this? Was MJ lucky to have Pippen? MJ never got past the 2nd round without Pippen while Pip got farther without MJ. So how's that work?

[50CalClips]

Shaq is the lazy-man's favorite player.

Shaq was lucky to have Wade and Kobe.

Wade was lucky to have Shaq and Bron.

Kobe was lucky to have Shaq, then was great bu itself.

What kind of dumb logic is this? Was MJ lucky to have Pippen? MJ never got past the 2nd round without Pippen while Pip got farther without MJ. So how's that work?

Shaq wasn't self-motivated.
If he never had those teammates with the killer-instinct, he may not have won anything.

MJ, Kobe, Wade = killers

Shaq = horse that needs a rider

[NPZ]

Does anyone who watched Shaq play think that his dominance is/was underrated?

He was only underrated in terms of some of his finesse for a C of his size. Otherwise, it's hard to be underrated when you destroy 2 stanchions.

[NPZ]

Wade was lucky to have Shaq and Bron.

Kobe was lucky to have Shaq, then was great bu itself.

What kind of dumb logic is this? Was MJ lucky to have Pippen? MJ never got past the 2nd round without Pippen while Pip got farther without MJ. So how's that work?

Shaq wasn't self-motivated.
If he never had those teammates with the killer-instinct, he may not have won anything.

MJ, Kobe, Wade = killers

Shaq = horse that needs a rider

That's bogus, too. Shaq was desperate to win a championship by about 1999. The fire was there.

[NPZ]

Shaq underachieved, to be honest.

He squandered his talent... well, he still accomplished a lot, but he definitely squandered his true potential. He could have been much better.

Shaq NEVER led the league in Rebouding !!?!
NEVER? F%cking kidding me?!?

This is what has always bothered me. Career average of 11? (10.9). Seriously? Never averaged even 14 for a season. That's disgraceful on his part. His rookie year was his highest rebounding year. Again, maddening.

He should have averaged 25, he was so physically dominant. Can never call him underrated.

.

He averaged 13.9 in 2000.

[50CalClips]

Shaq wasn't self-motivated.
If he never had those teammates with the killer-instinct, he may not have won anything.
MJ, Kobe, Wade = killers
Shaq = horse that needs a rider

That's bogus, too. Shaq was desperate to win a championship by about 1999. The fire was there.

If that were true, he would've been a Laker for life.
The Shaq-Kobe conflict wouldn't have existed.

[NPZ]

Shaq wasn't self-motivated.
If he never had those teammates with the killer-instinct, he may not have won anything.
MJ, Kobe, Wade = killers
Shaq = horse that needs a rider

That's bogus, too. Shaq was desperate to win a championship by about 1999. The fire was there.

If that were true, he would've been a Laker for life.
The Shaq-Kobe conflict wouldn't have existed.

If that weren't true, Nick Van Exel wouldn't have been traded to 15 win Denver after yelling "1-2-3-Cancun!" in a playoff pregame pep chant. He may not have been a compulsive workout-er, but that's not to say the man never cared about winning a title, especially before he had one. Maybe if you tell me his desire wasn't as strong as it was when everyone assumed he'd never win one, I can see your point. He hated being blamed for his teams' losing. Wasn't his mates or coaches, it was always him.

[ILOVEIT]

Not if discipline and work ethic and desire to be the best are included.

BTW...Kobe saying they would have won 13 if he was in shape...please. Jordanesk back handed compliment to himself while slighting Shaq. Kobe and Lakers gifted one chip...by the Refs against Kings.

Man...he has a HUGE opinion of himself....

[RoyceDa59]

He's the most dominant player I've ever witnessed.

[carlquincy]

More underachieved (relative to his talent) than underrated.