Bob Costas said this. You may have heard it. Phil Jackson called Shaq "the best center to ever play the game." EVER! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The finals are not over yet, Shaq has not won a THING! My grandma can shoot better than he can at the ft line. Other than this year, he has always been swept in the playoffs. I would die of shock if he had anything intelligent to say. Saying that he is the best center EVER at this point is a bit rebundant...and I don't even know what that means! ------------------ Let me tell you this... I don't care. [This message has been edited by Calvin23 (edited June 11, 2000).]
Well that just further proves that Jackass is an idiot. Hakeem is the best all around center to ever play. ------------------ I AM SPARTACUS
Shaq is the best center of all time. Kobe is the best 2 guard of all time. Phil Jackson is the best coach of all time. These Lakers are the best team of all time. Derek Fisher is the best PG of all time Ac Green is the best PF of all time and Rick Fox is really movie star handsome. ------------------ MANGO - Get in my BELLAY! [Note: This message has been edited by Administrator]
I believe Mark Jackson was quoted as saying that, not Phil. I missed the 2nd half, though, in case they made reference to Phil saying it as well. ------------------ Too-Rye-Aye!
I think he meant to say that ever played for him. I dunno, Luc Longley is pretty close. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
The quote I heard was attributed to Mark Jackson. When Shaq's defense grows to being something more than standing bewildered in the paint and getting a block every-now-and-then, he can be the best center. He probably is the best offensive center to play in the past 20 years though. If not him, then the only one to beat him is Hakeem. But even in his heyday, I don't think Hakeem was as dominant offensively as Shaq is. On the other hand, Shaq is nowhere near being as defensively dominating as Hakeem. ------------------ Just shut up and post
I think Hakeem was jsut as dominating offensively in his prime as Shaq is now. Hakeem averaged about 30 a game during the regular season and turned it up in the playoffs even more. Anyone remember that series against MVP (haha) Robinson. Hakeem just destroyed him to the tune of 38 a game or so. PLus, you gotta look at more than just points scored. Shaq's free throw disasters brings him down a drop plus, while I have not looked it up, I am sure during his prime Hakeem averaged more assists per game thatn Shaq did this past year, his first year to pass well. Just my opinion though. Shaq could be as dominant defensively if he tried harder. His poor defense tonight probably lost them the game. ------------------ When I die I want to go peacefully like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in the back seat!
Well I knew this would happen, but I am wrong. Shaq averaged an impressive 3.8 this past season, suprisingly .2 higher than Hakeem averaged during his prime. But everything is pretty similar though, except of course Hakeem's free throw percentage. Here are CAREER playoff stats Shaq: 27.2 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 3.3 assist, 0.65 steals, 2.14 blocks, 3.0 TO, 3.5 fouls Hakeem: 26.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 3.3 assist, 1.7 steals, 3.34 blocks, 3.0 TO, 4.0 fouls THe offensive numbers are pretty similar while the steals and blocks do lean heavily in Hakeem's favor. Both have had monster series before though. Hakeems play in the second championship run adn Shaqs so far this year (hasnt won yet though) Top centers to me; 1)Wilt 2)Kareem 3)Russell 4)Hakeem 5)I guess Shaq ------------------ When I die I want to go peacefully like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in the back seat!
This is ludicrous. The only thing that makes Shaq dominating is his SIZE. If Shaq was 6'9" and 250 lbs, he would be playing somewhere in Eastern Europe or the CBA. His "game" is a disgrace. It's not basketball...it's thugball. ------------------ Bring It!!
I agree Shaq will be remebered as one of the greatest centers. You can criticize his game all you want, but his problem was also Wilt's, and Wilt is remembered as one of the 3 greatest players of all-time (w/ MJ & Russell). I think Shaq moves up the list this year because he finally plays defense. My top 5 is: 1. Wilt 2. Russell 3. Kareem 4. Dream (Dream may move ahead ahead of Kareem after he retires, we need to see how people remember him) 5. Shaq (Shaq could quite possibly move to the top of the list if him & Kobe stay together & win a few titles) ------------------
I respect shaq's game. he is definately top 5 Centers Russel Wilt Hakeem/Kareem Shaq he is dominant. . . all these guys are/were ONLY IN DIFFERENT WAYS . .. Different games Shaq's Defense would be a lot worse if someone Called illegal Defense sometimes . . . Offensively. . . 3 seconds should be an issue BUT Even with that and the Free throws. . . I'd rather have him than . . SMITS . . .Ervin Johnsion . . *gulp* kevin cato *sob* . . [I LIKE KEVIN DAMMIT!!] . . oliver miller. . . . luc longly . .. . PATRICK EWING . . Arvidas Sabonis [i dunno about his younger days. . but i'm d*mn tire of hearing about them] . . .vlade [A D*MN GOOD CENTER!] . . . Elden Cambell. . . Reeves . . . ZO' the only other Center [outside Hakeem] I can think of that has game as good [maybe superior to] Shaq . . [Is it me or is Zo like a Hakeem Clone. . .6'9 overacheiving Centermonster] Rocket River ------------------
You should've just stopped after that statement and thought about it and wondered whether there was any point in continuing. ------------------ Just shut up and post
THE ONLY REASON MARK JACKSON SAID SHAQ WAS THE BEST CENTER OF ALL TIME WAS TO GAS SHAQ'S HEAD UP. MARK KNOWS SHAQ HAS A FEEBLE MIND AND HE WILL GET A BIG HEAD WHEN HE HEARS THAT. ------------------
It certainly says it all, because it is a very true statement. Shaq has size, not skills, and that's what makes him dominant. ------------------ Bring It!!
Shaq doesn't come close to The Dream. Hakeem was the complete player with points, boards, assists, blocks and steals. Not to mention the ability to shoot, giving Hakeem a multi dimensional offense. If you look at Shaq's game he has three modes: 1. Is foul everyone while attempting to dunk it and not get called. 2. Is beat everyone with his incredible shooting . 3. Is have the media outlets control the game so you don't have to worry about losing. ------------------ I AM SPARTACUS
uhhh, MARK jackson said that, not phil. and five other people already said that. nevermind. ------------------ [This message has been edited by mhan (edited June 13, 2000).]
I don't disagree with it all. And if Hakeem were a 3'6" midget, he wouldn't have been the best center of the 90's. Mark Eaton wouldn't have been a blocked-shots leader had he been a guard. If a fat guy weren't fat, he'd be skinny... etc, etc. Shaq is dominant. His points count as much as anyone else's whether they have more skill or not. I don't see why his stats should somehow be "asterisked" because he happens to be huge. This reminds me of the old statement "it's the system!!" referring to why a particular player is good. Well, gee, outside of the playground, is there any player that's not part of a system? ------------------ Just shut up and post
No DoD-If a fat guy weren't fat, he'd be chubby. Also note-Mark Eaton would be the blocked shots leader if Hakeem and Kareem weren't basketball players. Iverson isn't part of a system. He does his thing and everyone else watches. Does he count? Can't you get anything right? ------------------------------ Moving on now, I can't stand watching Shaq. He's still dominant however. Watching the game, I can tell usually before he catches the ball whether he'll score on the possession. If you keep him out of the 3 feet right next to the basket, mission accomplished. When he catches it deep, like he's been able to do against Rik "Shin Splints" and Sam "I don't know the rules" Perkins, its automatic. A big body is what is needed to stop him. That or a shotblocker. Or both. Or both rolled into one, like Mutumbo. TEAMS THAT HELD SHAQ UNDER 20 PPG for the season 1. Atlanta-16 ppg (Mutumbo) (FG%-39.5%) 2. Houston-19 ppg (CAAAATO!) (FG%-49.1%) ....and the list ends there. of note-20.5 ppg against Portland (many bodies) (FG%-50%), and 20.5 vs. Charlotte (Campbell, DC, Mason, Miller) (42.4 FG%) I noted the teams, and their Field Goal%, which shows basically who, if any forced Shaq out of his comfort zone (2 feet from the basket.) Take these stats to heart . ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Of course the only reason Houston held Shaq to less than 20 ppg was because he was ejected after only fifteen minutes in the first game after scoring only six points. If he'd played the whole game, he probably would have matched what he averaged the other two games, 24-27 ppg. But at least we weren't the Clippers(40ppg and 19 reb) or Chicago(38.5ppg and 18.5 reb) or even Philly(29.5 ppg, 15 reb, 7 asts and 6 bpg) ------------------ Drop kick me Jesus through the goalposts of life, Tumble end over end, neither left nor right. Straight on ahead through the goalposts I'll go. I've got the faith Lord, If you've got the toe.
