IF Duncan and Shaq had equal support who would win?

I think that Duncan is the better player, but Shaq might be even more dominant just because he is so massive. That being said, I think that a team with Duncan, Kobe, Horry, plus role players Fox and Fisher would probably destroy almost every team in the league other than the Mavs right now - including a hypothetical team of Shaq, David Robinson, Jesus Parker and Spurs role players.

 

Good questions, if they had equal squads I would probably say Shaq's team in general. There are some teams where TD might be better-- say the other team had Mutumbo, where TD & Mut I would think would be more effective than Shaq and Mut--but this would be more unusual team situation. Supporting this, the last time Shaq lost was when the he played a team with TD, a very good defensive center (the D-Rob from 3 years ago), plus solid vet all-around roll players.

If Shaq went to the Spurs and Duncan to the Lakers that would be hard to judge right now. Now Duncan would have to guard Shaq (bad situation for new La) but Malik/M.Bryant could guard Duncan--major advantage on front line match-ups for the new Spurs. But Kobe is still there providing a major Laker advantage. I really don't know honestly.

 

Comparing Duncan and Shaq straight up, IMHO Duncan has more capabilities than Shaq, and doesn't give up much where Shaq is more dominant. Shaq is much better than both Tim and God at maneuvering close to the basket. Shaq has quicker hands and feet. However, Duncan has more of an array of shots closer to the basket. He has much greater range, as well. He also has floor leadership qualities that Shaq does not. He can dribble the ball down the court directing the offense (I couldn't believe how much in control he was in Game 2). I also see him constantly getting on top of his teammates and stabilizing his team, something the Lakers don't need as much due to their coach having more of a presence. But I believe this quality becomes more crucial if you don't have a second star/superstar option like Kobe. Defensively, I also think Duncan is as good if not better than Shaq, by being more versatile in guarding the smaller, more agile bigmen.

 

Cool thread.

If the Spurs had a Kobe-like player they could overtake the Lakers IMO. I really think the loss of Derek Anderson hurt the Spurs because he played pretty good D against Kobe.

 

I would take Duncan over Shaq......I think Shaq is dominant because the refs let him push people out of the way, and camp in the lane for eternity.

Duncan is a more skilled athlete, and IMHO would be the better choice.

Though I would kill to have either one on the Rockets right now.

DD

 

Duncan.

 

Duncan
Duncan

Shaq Duncan
Horry Horry
Fox Fox
Kobe Kobe
D Fish D Fish

C - Philip Philip

Sort of changes the 4th quarter, no? Then, imagine trading Horry Fish or Fox for an ok C. Well, scratch that - you don't get value in return. That's what gets me. Duncan should play C, 'cause that's the most expensive position, and he'd get better talent around him that way. Tieing up a bunch of money in an ok center to help him with a frontcourt job he can ably man with a jouneyman pf is not smart, imo.

I love Shaq, but his FT liability at money time is a killer. That should be when you most want to give your big man the ball and let him rumble inside. Tim was not great shakes at FT for a while, too, but I think he shot right at 80% last year, vastly improved.

 

It would be interesting to see a Duncan/Tmac vs. Shaq/Kobe matchup.


Anyway, I say Duncan.
I think he's the better player, physically and mentally.

 

I think Duncan would win, since he's a better team player in my opinion.