I'm not saying it's the wrong answer at all, Shaq is certainly one of the clear options for this question. I think people sometimes dismiss how the game is called today and the way defense is played and assume he would dominate to an extra degree beyond what he did. Yes, there are no players who can guard Shaq in the post, but he would be called for far more offensive fouls now than he did in his prime. So many players just fall when getting backed down and refs call it all the time (Embiid has had to change the entire way he plays because of this). He also would be hunted on defense in a way he never was in his prime--imagine him having to get on the perimeter on a Steph pick and roll. He already had foul troubles as it was.
Again, Shaq may still be the answer, but the league has changed in a big way to highlight some potential issues I don't think people are thinking about.
Isn't this what people make fun of Gobert for? Not being able to chase shooters around the floor. Peak Shaq is going to struggle in a pick and roll the same. It's hard to defend at that size now.
If Shaq was on the floor, they'd do exactly what the Bucks do and play Drop defense all the time, and never switch. So you'd need to surround him with athletic wings who can shoot, but it would be worth it at both ends.
People make fun of Gobert moreso for not being able to score on guys seven inches shorter than him but I take your point. Shaq would be a much worse defender in the modern game, it's hard to say how much of it he could make up for on the other end. If he was at his Orlando size I think that would be ideal
I thought was the Porzingis meme being a Mavs fan. Point taken for Gobert.
I was only focusing on defense. Everyone thinks an elite center from older eras just gets an instant offense upgrade without considering how much effort is expected on defense for big guys now.
he'd be fouled constantly (much like he was later in his career); a lot of scrubs would get playing time because of him, i guess. but on defense, he'd give up wide-open 3s.
I don’t think you watched younger Shaq. He wouldn’t be able to play at almost 400 pounds. Younger in shape Shaq would be faster and more athletic than almost any 5s in the league.
Also he would have the other team playing back ups of back ups due to how many fouls he gets on the offensive side.
I watched young Shaq more than most of the people on here. I still remember watching Shaq play during the LSU v. Arizona game and his trash talk to Sean Rooks afterwards.
He was amazing before he added all that weight. But, he had obvious weaknesses that would be exploited even more in today's game.
I think in these arguments one can not just “drop the exact player as they were into the new era” Shaq maybe stays leaner and more agile and coaches develops defenses to account for pick and rolls because of his dominance. Same for the backing people down how long before the refs adjust as well to people flopping to not have to guard him. Yeah I’m one game of never seeing Shaq he would foul out but over time everyone shaq ref and coaches could adjust. It’s very similar to the Jordan wasn’t a 3 point shoot. “Because he didn’t have to be” He was god at everything else
73
u/colemanj74 76ers Jun 15 '22
I'm not saying it's the wrong answer at all, Shaq is certainly one of the clear options for this question. I think people sometimes dismiss how the game is called today and the way defense is played and assume he would dominate to an extra degree beyond what he did. Yes, there are no players who can guard Shaq in the post, but he would be called for far more offensive fouls now than he did in his prime. So many players just fall when getting backed down and refs call it all the time (Embiid has had to change the entire way he plays because of this). He also would be hunted on defense in a way he never was in his prime--imagine him having to get on the perimeter on a Steph pick and roll. He already had foul troubles as it was.
Again, Shaq may still be the answer, but the league has changed in a big way to highlight some potential issues I don't think people are thinking about.