Actually, I'll just change my vote now. Thinking about it - Butler and Hardway I think are just as good as Shaq, even if they didn't have the RS hype/impact. I didn't realize how Shaq's scoring was pretty meh in the post season in 05 and 06.
HeartBreakKid wrote:1) 2012 Lebron James - Great mix of offense and defense. A bit better than Wade at most things, and 2013 he wasn't as consistent.
2) 2010 Dwayne Wade - Just seems like a smarter version of his 06 self (and more productive). I think 06 was more him just being really hot.
3) 2000 Alonzo Mourning - He was a top tier defender during this period. I think it's much more valuable than what Shaq would give you.
4) 2005 Shaquile O'Neal - He was in much better shape than in 2004, but I'm not convinced of his defense still. I always thought 05 Shaq was a bit overrated.
5) 2020 Bam Abedayo - Probably my most controversial pick because I think most people see the 2020 team as Jimmy Butler's team. I know that the Heat struggling for a decent chunk of the 2021 season has for some reason made Abedayo's 2020 season look worse, but it kind of overlooks the Heat just had a lot of turnover from COVID and stuff. Anyway, as for Abedayo vs Butler - I think Abedayo is probably just another tier of defender. His IQ and decision making is still not the best in 2020, but just the raw athleticism and motor makes me think he's near the top of the line of defenders for the 2020 season. He's also a nice offensive tool, he can hit a 15 footer consistently, and he's a very good passer. Just seems like a center who does everything well.
I'll still think about Butler, Bosh and Hardaway. I actually might even drop Shaq out of my list.
1)
2012 Lebron James - Great mix of offense and defense. A bit better than Wade at most things, and 2013 he wasn't as consistent.
2)
2010 Dwayne Wade - Just seems like a smarter version of his 06 self (and more productive). I think 06 was more him just being really hot.
3)
2000 Alonzo Mourning - He was a top tier defender during this period. I think it's much more valuable than what Shaq would give you.
4)
2020 Bam Adebayo - Probably my most controversial pick because I think most people see the 2020 team as Jimmy Butler's team. I know that the Heat struggling for a decent chunk of the 2021 season has for some reason made Abedayo's 2020 season look worse, but it kind of overlooks the Heat just had a lot of turnover from COVID and stuff. Anyway, as for Abedayo vs Butler - I think Abedayo is probably just another tier of defender. His IQ and decision making is still not the best in 2020, but just the raw athleticism and motor makes me think he's near the top of the line of defenders for the 2020 season. He's also a nice offensive tool, he can hit a 15 footer consistently, and he's a very good passer. Just seems like a center who does everything well.
5)
2020 Jimmy Butler - Another "do it all" guy. His scoring is just as useful as Shaq's, and he his AST:TO is way better. Jimmy can handle the rock and score from many spots on the court. He seems both more versatile AND just as effective as a scorer as Shaq. Defensively, Jimmy Butler is a rock and always one of the best perimeter scorers, Shaq is kind of just a big rim protector and that even fell off when he went to Miami. The 2020 Finals run did a lot for Butler (and Bam)'s stock.
I feel like Adebayo and Butler's defense relative to O'Neal seals the deal. Offensively, they all do things to help challenge Shaq's strengths.
Shaq feels one dimensional, and that one dimension he's good at it doesn't seem super dominant - more so in the post season. Boxscore isn't everything, but is Shaq's gravity in the paint really better than the versatility that Butler and Adebayo give you while they can also put up comparable boxscore stats?
