Desagana Diop is worst, although he is athletic and can block few shots but he is still horrible than most NBA players.
you truly believe that? so you think one of the most dominant players in the last decade is one of the least talented?? that is strange what is your defenition of talented? Shaq was a freak (now he is getting older). if he is not talented then he must work very hard because that is the only way to get to the top if you do not have talent shaq can do alot on the court. Maybe he doesn't have a jumper but he can do alot other things. he is athletic and strong. ok lets look at other players like that. Yao Ming lets take away his height and his shot what do we have? Michael Jordan lets take away his scoring ability and his defense what do we have?
Shaq's matrix of strength + coordination + skill is a delight to watch. He has to be ranked in the pantheon of greatest all time NBAers, of any size. Others have been as big but didn't succeed, and didn't last. Others, like Oliver Miller, Tractor Traylor, and John 'Hot Plate' Williams all had size and skills, but little success or staying power. Trashing Shaq is silly, IMO. However, if you want to go after his attitude, his petulance, his motivation, his seeming lack of off-season training he is fair game.
Is "Leasted" a word? oh, well, must be one of the 14 year old's posting... ...j/k... Anyway, CATO is up there and so is Mark Madson (???)...
Talent doesn't mean circus shots and dribble mania. If a least talented player could be selected as regular season, all-star game, and playoff MVP, then I guess NBA wouldn't even survive, not to mention so popular. You can dislike his ego, his attitude, or even his game. But you have to be somewhat objective. When people say he's all dunk, it's just beyond me how people can ignore the fact, that 360lbs alone can't give you any dunks. You need to get into position, catch the ball, realize the defense, use your explosiveness etc etc. He's the most dominant center in the NBA history, and his game is unique. That says something about his talent. Same thing here in this bbs, if we don't like SF3, we tend to say he's all athlecism; if we don't like Yao, we claim that he's just a 7'5 pu$$y. Be more objective, maybe we can enjoy the game more.
how is shot-blocking not a talent you hone over time? shot blocking is about a lot more than athleticism and height.
Least Talented was overkill. I don't believe he is talented as he is gifted in other ways. Yao honed his talents. He has a shot, decent footwork and can pass. Those are talents. Shaq is a brute. He is dominant cuz he is freakishly strong, quick and agile. Scoring is a talent. Dunking isn't a Talent. Give me a body like Shaq and I could dunk. Jordan wasn't born with a shot and didn't have one for his first few years in the league.
This, my friend, is not an argument you're going to win. Shaq is the most talented center in the league right now. You say Yao's talent lies in his footwork and his passing? Shaq does both better than Yao, and I have to admit that Yao is damn good in both facets. If the recipe for NBA dominance was beefing up to 350, then you would see more guys doing it. Shaq was better when he was younger and weaker, and I believe his ideal playing weight is much closer to 300 than 350. Shaq came into the league relatively small...less than 300, definitely. He was a great talent then, and he's a great talent now. Aren't those "skills?" Even those, Shaq has quite a few of, though I will admit shooting is not one of them. No. They're not. To complete "and-1's" that consistently is a talent. It is a skill that requires great court sense.
Here's something from the Webster Dictionary: tal·ent Pronunciation: 'ta-l&nt Function: noun 1 a : any of several ancient units of weight b : a unit of value equal to the value of a talent of gold or silver 2 archaic : a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person or animal 3 : the natural endowments of a person 4 a : a special often creative or artistic aptitude b : general intelligence or mental power : ABILITY 5 : a person of talent or a group of persons of talent in a field or activity synonym see GIFT I think you are confusing "skill" with talent. Even if you meant skills, many people have already pointed out his low post technique. He is not skillful in all facets of basketball. But extremely few people are. What is important is that he is skillful in using his natural talent. That said, I hate Shaq. And I think he is getting away with way too many offensive fouls.
