Where does Peak Orlando Shaq rank all time?

[mdonnelly1989]

Lets say like the Peaks project each player gets 1 Peak Year.

And instead of Shaqs true 2000 peak that we replace it with his Peak Orlando Shaq where does he rank all time?

[Colbinii]

I would have it around 1997 Malone, 2011 Howard, 1975 Gilmore and 1975 McAdoo on the list.

[No-more-rings]

Maybe top 30 at best.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Orlando Shaq was more mobile than peak Shaq on the Lakers. Peak Orlando Shaq was not much worse than peak Lakers Shaq.

[70sFan]

I would have it around 1997 Malone, 2011 Howard, 1975 Gilmore and 1975 McAdoo on the list.

Interesting, could you elaborate Howard and Gilmore vs Orlando Shaq? How much higher do you have peak Shaq?

[sp6r=underrated]

Orland Shaq was more mobile than peak Shaq on the Lakers. Peak Orlando Shaq was not much worse than peak Lakers Shaq.

Physically I think you can make a great argument peak Orlando Shaq was better than 2000 Shaq. But 2000 Shaq was the one and only season in his career were Shaq really locked in all year long defensively. Most of his career he drifted on that end of the court relying on his superior physical tools.

If he had the same mindset in Orlando I'd consider it extremely close but the defensive intensity is just night and day.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Orland Shaq was more mobile than peak Shaq on the Lakers. Peak Orlando Shaq was not much worse than peak Lakers Shaq.

Physically I think you can make a great argument peak Orlando Shaq was better than 2000 Shaq. But 2000 Shaq was the one and only season in his career were Shaq really locked in all year long defensively. Most of his career he drifted on that end of the court relying on his superior physical tools.

If he had the same mindset in Orlando I'd consider it extremely close but the defensive intensity is just night and day.

On offense Lakers Shaq had dropped less efficient offense and perfected his efficient offense. Shaq supporters talk about how Shaq was getting hacked by defenders and was not always getting the calls because refs thought hacks by little guys were non-events when done to Shaq. But the refs also let Lakers Shaq put intentional offensive fouls into his moves. Dipping your shoulder into the defender and shoulder slaming the defender so that the defender will stumble backwards should have been an offensive foul. Then there was the mighty rump bump.

There is a fine line between using your strength to dislodge a defender and committing an offensive foul. Refs let Lakers Shaq cross that line in my opinion. How I draw the line based on early 1980s ball when I learned the rules is that anything the offensive player does with his muscles like a lever is ok but using the momentum of your body weight in a collision is a foul. Being like a ball coliding with another ball and making that ball move on a pool table is an offensive foul but being a tire jack lifting up a car is not a foul.

[Big NBA Fan]

Highlights of Shaq's two best RS in Orlando in 94 and 95.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Man, just imagine if he maintained his weight from both these years and just had the mentality and focus of Shaq 2000. He would have been the GOAT.

[Big NBA Fan]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Stalwart]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

[migya]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

Making the finals in his third season, with Penny in his second and beating the opponents they did, Shaq was arguably the best player in the nba from them on, certainly top 3.

[70sFan]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

I'd say he was better than Ewing, but not as good as the other two.

[Stalwart]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

Making the finals in his third season, with Penny in his second and beating the opponents they did, Shaq was arguably the best player in the nba from them on, certainly top 3.

I think Hakeem proved to be the best in 95. I'd probably put Jordan and Malone over Shaq from 96-98. We have to remember Shaq's stretch of playoff disappointments in the late 90s.

[Stalwart]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

I'd say he was better than Ewing, but not as good as the other two.

If I was forced to rank them that is how I would do it. However I think they are all right there with each other.

[migya]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

Making the finals in his third season, with Penny in his second and beating the opponents they did, Shaq was arguably the best player in the nba from them on, certainly top 3.

I think Hakeem proved to be the best in 95. I'd probably put Jordan and Malone over Shaq from 96-98. We have to remember Shaq's stretch of playoff disappointments in the late 90s.

Orlando had much success in the few years Shaq was there. It took the 72 win Bulls to beat them in 96 or they could've been champions. Magic v Sonics would've been a likely feast for Shaq and Penny.

[70sFan]

Making the finals in his third season, with Penny in his second and beating the opponents they did, Shaq was arguably the best player in the nba from them on, certainly top 3.

I think Hakeem proved to be the best in 95. I'd probably put Jordan and Malone over Shaq from 96-98. We have to remember Shaq's stretch of playoff disappointments in the late 90s.

Orlando had much success in the few years Shaq was there. It took the 72 win Bulls to beat them in 96 or they could've been champions. Magic v Sonics would've been a likely feast for Shaq and Penny.

I'm not sure, they went 1-1 in that season and Sonics were extremely good. They were also perfectly equipped to slow down Penny, though they'd struggle with Shaq. With that being said, they were really good at slowing down post players with their team defense (provided by their battles against Houston), so I definitely disagree that it would be a feast for Shaq and Penny.

[70sFan]

Peak Orlando Shaq proved to be on the same level as prime Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.

I'd say he was better than Ewing, but not as good as the other two.

If I was forced to rank them that is how I would do it. However I think they are all right there with each other.

I can understand that, especially if you don't value defense as much as I do. I think that Hakeem peaked higher than Shaq period, so I don't see them as that close. Robinson is a bit closer, but I'd still take him over younger Shaq.

[No-more-rings]

Young Shaq is getting grossly overrated in this thread and poll.

[70sFan]

Young Shaq is getting grossly overrated in this thread and poll.

Where would you put him?

[No-more-rings]

Young Shaq is getting grossly overrated in this thread and poll.

Where would you put him?

I said around top 30 maybe. When you consider recent years peaks like Giannis, and Jokic it’s possible he falls out of it. Votes for top 5 or 10 is completely ridiculous. Orlando Shaq was definitely not peak Bird or Magic level, who are typically in the lower end of the top 10.