Heard the Glove when he was younger was a pretty decent defender on Jordan..... (so technically also on Bean).... Also the 2004 Pistons gave them fits.....although Shaq was older. Rodman, Laimbeer, Bad Boys for Jordan and Pippen. AI, KB and MJ are too similar and also hot headed, you can easily get them play hero ball and freeze Shaq and Lebron out. Ron Artest always played Bron hard.
Dream Karl Malone Durrant Magic Curry or Dream Kareem Nowitzki Luka Magic Lots of options could beat that team.
Hakeem Kevin Garnett Amen Thompson Kawhi Leonard Gary Payton I am not saying it’s a misnomer that good offense beats good defense. But this defense if the players are all in their prime would be so utterly ferocious. These guys are able play without always having the ball. These usage rate for Shaq’s team is way way higher than while Payton can actually be a point guard unlike Iverson. One thing for absolutely sure is it would be quite fun to watch.
Sure they do. Just run a two center lineup. Two centers shut down Shaq and LBJ. Now you have three guards outsized by Dirk Luka and Magic.
Even with AI off the team I still think Shaq's team has some compositional issues, though perhaps raw talent would make up for it. But yes, AI is by far the biggest problem here. What a mad pick for lead guard. Put in Stockton, Nash, CP3, somebody like that who can hit open threes and get the ball to the right guy in any given situation, and the whole thing at least works a lot better.
Iverson and Kobe LOL, they bring nothing. Just pack the paint and let them chuck until Jordan murders one of them. Shaq would get pissy about not getting the ball enough, and LeBron would understandably check out after having to deal with 4 whiny ball hogs. Prime Jordan and LeBron would be a near impossible duo to beat with any 3 decent supporting players, but the other 3 don't support them in the slightest other than taking away shots. You could pretty easily put together a more cohesive unit that could beat them. Just off top, I could probably put together a better team with lesser names if I gave it more thought. Dream Garnett (you could replace him with any great 3/d stretch big) Durant Kawhi CP3
Player: Opponent - comparison Shaq < Jokic - might neutralize inside game and pull Shaq to the outside. His passing can open up the game for his teammates. LeBron < Hakeem - footwork, speed, strength, agility, mentality, smarts. He doesn't have a 3 point game but he has the same athleticism and his footwork can put LeBron in a blender. Also -- teacher vs student. MJ > Durant - can get to his spots. His length might make MJ work. His offensive game also won't let MJ off the hook on defense. But MJ is MJ. Durant doesn't need to be the man on this team. Kobe > DWade - two way player. Can hold his own. Both incredibly clutch. But DWade doesn't need the ball. AI < Curry - doesn't need the ball. Can shoot anywhere and is much more efficient. His handles and layups can get him inside just like AI. Slightly better passer. This team can win because individually they can hold their own against the Mt Rushmore. But more importantly, they can all pass, shoot and augment each other.
In their prime, I would probably assemble this lineup to push it to 7 games lol: Hakeem KG KD Harden Isiah "Zeke" Thomas I chose Harden over T-Mac because in his prime Harden was the best isolate scorer ever...get that switch on AI and he'll put him to work! I feel like the rest of the team I assemble are great 2-way players as well...
I love the matchup of Jokic vs Shaq. I honestly think Shaq wouldn’t be able to stay on the court. With his inability to shoot and defend on the perimeter and terrible free throw shooting, I’d take Jokic all day in that matchup. It’s a mismatch, really. Curry has to be my point guard. The dude is from another planet. Love KG as the 4. His length and athleticism would give Shaq 5 fits on defense. Larry Legend at the 3. Passing, shooting, smack talk. Leaves me needing a 2 guard. I’ll go with Clyde Drexler at the 2. Fastest player on the court and can defend any position. I think my team wins easily. Shaq’s a dumbass LOL.
Harden plays at the 2 but actually is the primary ballhandler. Even with the weak defense in the backcourt there's absolutely no way their lack of shooters is going to outscore all 3 of Beard, Durant AND Curry bombing from deep, because you are NOT scoring in this paint. IDGAF if you're Shaquille O'Neill, if this is prime then you're just not scoring that close at any regularity. AI might shoot less than 20% in all honesty, even with Beard guarding him lol. C:Hakeem Olajuwon PF: Kevin Garnett SF: Kevin Durant SG: James Harden PG: Stephen Curry
I didn't read the thread before posting so I didn't colour my own opinion. I'm not at all mad at this, yours shores up the defense instead of the scoring overload of mine, but this would definitely work too I think with Zeke at the point.
