Who would you build your team around?

Shaq now, or Shaq 7 years ago?

With all due respect to Duncan, who's the best player in the NBA now, Shaq was simply an unstoppable force in his prime. Everybody thinks he just bulls his way to the basket, but his baseline turnaround from 8-10 feet is really underrated, and he made it with regular consistency. Plus, he had great footwork for a guy his size.

 

I agree with A-Train -- Shaq in his prime over Duncan.

Duncan now over old beat-up Shaq.

I don't think Miami is even thinking of building around Shaq -- they will be building around Wade

 

If we're going with each player in their respective primes, Shaq hands down. The man won 3 straight titles. Duncan's won 1 1/2 so far(and has yet to defend them successfully).

 

Hard to defend a title when you're injured.

 

Three teams have built their franchise around Shaq. Two have been left in shambles in the wake of his departure, to date. If Miami offers him a long term hefty contract that could well be three.

In the meantime one franchise has been built around Duncan, it has amassed two titles, possibly about to garner a third, and has the best winning percentage in all of major league sports.

There is something to be said for maturity and stability coupled with talent. Is this even a serious question?

 

is that even a serious reply?

Shaq in his prime was hands down an unstoppable force..

took 3 teams close to the championship

Orlando (Finals)
Lakers (3 Championships)
Miami (EC Finals) and he's past his prime

Its not his fault he was drafted by Orlando or that the Lakers traded him away.

J

 

Shaq in his prime would "GUT EM(TIIM) LIKE A FISH"

OK WE have some jaded people here right now the vote is almost 2:1 for Tim, just like in the KarlaVsTimmy thread people love to get off on Timmy for some reason... Are some of you even watching these 2 play on a regular basis over the years, or just caught up in the hype of Tim?? I wonder if you guys are the same people that wanna say Bron is the next great one.. even though he's never heard the word DEFENCE in his life..

 

How can ya'll vote for Tim Duncan over Shaq...

With Shaq, he is marketable, Duncan is also, but not even close to the level Shaq is on.

And they don't call Shaq "The Most Dominant Player Ever." for no reason...

Look at the stats, look at the championships, look at the awards.

Shaq is easily a better player than Duncan and a better player for the team and it's overall value.

 

i wouldnt say easily better. but yes he was more dominant. however its likely duncan will retire with more rings i dont think he will wear down until his mid 40's the way he plays. where as shaq doesnt look like he'll last another year at best. so i voted ducan

 

If we're talking about today, it's no question. Shaq's freefalling. If this is the more hypothetical, if you had the opportunity to draft one or the other (as rookies) to start your expansion team, it gets tricky. Easily, Shaq is the more marketable guy and the more dominant player. On the flipside he was also more immature and problematic in the locker room. Which was more important? Being as conservative as I am, I'd go with the more coachable, more loyal, and more team-oriented Duncan. Shaq might leave us for LA as a FA and that wouldn't be of much use for our franchise

Evan

 

To be fair, he's already injury-prone with his ankles and knees. Doesn't bode well. Those types of injuries (lower body joint) almost always pile up and become progressively worse.

Evan

 

Well it dpends on when people think your prime years start. I think they have been equals but the difference is when Shaq went to the fianls early and lost, Duncan won. Duncan will more then likely equal or exceed Shaq's # of titles, Finals MVPs, regular season MVPs and hhas always been a better defender.

If Shaq is so unstoppable, why does Duncan have 2 titles while Shaq was not only in the league but in the same conference during Shaq's prime years?

P.S. Duncan is just now entering his prime years, the years Shaq won his 3 titles and Duncan has the team to win titles.

 

If the ages are the same you take Shaq hands down just because he is more dominant.If the ages are the same in 2005 you take Duncan just because he will be around longer.