Thabeet traded to Sixers than dumped

[CallMeBruce]

Shaq was once in a hundred years type specimen.
If you think that a proper comparison to Shaq is David Robinson or Alonzo Mouring, then what the hell are we talking about?

There is no proper comparison, but the guy was still one of the very best players of all-time (ranks third in PER behind Jordan and LeBron), and was the NBA's dominant player for a five-year stretch. Literally he was the best player in the league every season for five years. If that's a player who didn't apply himself, then what do you think he should have been able to do? Win 10 championships? 10 MVPs?

Was Shaq better than those guys?
Shaq won one MVP, one.

MVP award voting is often wrong. The numbers show that Shaq was better than all of those guys, and the numbers are a factual representation of the events. Shaq was the best big man of his generation, and following Jordan's retirement, he was the league's best player for several years.

 

[Dogdeacon]

There is no proper comparison, but the guy was still one of the very best players of all-time (ranks third in PER behind Jordan and LeBron), and was the NBA's dominant player for a five-year stretch. Literally he was the best player in the league every season for five years. If that's a player who didn't apply himself, then what do you think he should have been able to do? Win 10 championships? 10 MVPs?



MVP award voting is often wrong. The numbers show that Shaq was better than all of those guys, and the numbers are a factual representation of the events. Shaq was the best big man of his generation, and following Jordan's retirement, he was the league's best player for several years.

Agree with almost every point but one. Although 10 is obviously purposely absurd on your part Shaq could have easily won 6-ish championships, 5ish MVPs. I simply think he could have been in argument with Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kareem and now LeBron. Instead he sits right outside this with Bird, Magic etc..

 

[jibsey]

Donyell Marshall reminds me of that a bit. Lots of natural talent and a hell of a UConn baller; but, did not seem too interested in the hard work it takes to make a career in the NBA and was a goof ball around campus. That said, he finally got it in is head and turned it around. Maybe Thabeet will be able to do the same?

Donyell had serious shooting skills.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Agree with almost every point but one. Although 10 is obviously purposely absurd on your part Shaq could have easily won 6-ish championships, 5ish MVPs. I simply think he could have been in argument with Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kareem and now LeBron. Instead he sits right outside this with Bird, Magic etc..

Shaq was a better player than Russell.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Shaq was a better player than Russell.

It is hard to visualize Shaq not absolutely physically overpowering Russell. Yet Wilt was legendarily strong and Russell owned him. And Dennis Rodman used to give Shaq fits. Russell's championships trump.

 

[intlzncster]

Exactly, thanks for pounding the glass for me. Jordan is almost too cliche of an example, so put Ray Allen's preparation/mentality on Shaq and instead of saying he's a top 3 centers and top-10 ish all time we are debating if he was the best ever. No slouch, one of greatest ever, legendary career, etc..

That's worse than Jordan. MJ may have been the most competitive motherf_cker ever, but Ray is damn near psychotic in his preparation. I'd put Ray up against anyone in history in that category. There may be someone worse, but I sure as hell never heard about it. Jesus is straight up nuts.

 

[intlzncster]

"Very poorly"? The hyperbole on this board is ridiculous. He was 15th in his draft class in the sprint and 28th in agility. Nothing earth shattering, but not "very poor".

And that max vert that you write off as pedestrian was 5th in his class.

To put it in perspective. Shabazz Napier (who supposedly lacks athleticism at the guard position) has a 37.5 combine vert, .5 inches higher than Stanley's.

 

[intlzncster]

Agree with almost every point but one. Although 10 is obviously purposely absurd on your part Shaq could have easily won 6-ish championships, 5ish MVPs. I simply think he could have been in argument with Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kareem and now LeBron. Instead he sits right outside this with Bird, Magic etc..

It's harder to say that as a center though. He has less control of the game, than say a guard like Jordan.

 

[intlzncster]

It is hard to visualize Shaq not absolutely physically overpowering Russell. Yet Wilt was legendarily strong and Russell owned him. And Dennis Rodman used to give Shaq fits. Russell's championships trump.

Rodman was a frickin' anomaly though. That guy's quick hops and strength per pound had to be top 5 in history. Guy could jump 3 times before anyone else got off one. Somehow, he had the strength to body up the Diesel one on one.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

That's worse than Jordan. MJ may have been the most competitive motherf_cker ever, but Ray is damn near psychotic in his preparation. I'd put Ray up against anyone in history in that category. There may be someone worse, but I sure as hell never heard about it. Jesus is straight up nuts.

In the prep category, who would win between Ray and Jerry Rice?

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

"Very poorly"? The hyperbole on this board is ridiculous. He was 15th in his draft class in the sprint and 28th in agility. Nothing earth shattering, but not "very poor".

And that max vert that you write off as pedestrian was 5th in his class.

Those stats actually are in fact "very poor" for someone with the supposed otherwordly athleticism that Strummer was claiming Stanley had.

What I said was in response to Strummer claiming he's a better athlete than almost everyone in the NBA and with Jeff Adriens motor could be too 5 nba player of all time! Stanley was a good athlete. But nothing extraordinary as your stats clearly point out which support my stance and contradict his absurd claims of legendary athleticism.

I win

 

[Huskybass]

Thabeet at 7'3" is quite literally the biggest bust in NBA draft history.

 

[huskiesouth]

Shaq was a better player than Russell.

I (proudly) admit I am a lifelong Celtics fan and therefore biased, but with 5 minutes to go in the 7th game of the NBA finals and the score is tied I would rather have Russell on the floor than Shaq - he was a winner, made everyone around him play better, could always be counted on to make a big play, would make his foul shots and whenever really needed he would put Wilt (or anyone else) in is back pocket.

 

[Huskybass]

Shaq was a better player than Russell.

This might be the most absurd thing ever posted on The Boneyard. Russell won 14 championships in a 15 year period if you include college, the Olympics and the NBA... and that was playing against Wilt for many years. Russell was the ultimate winner... and averaged 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for his career.

 

[intlzncster]

In the prep category, who would win between Ray and Jerry Rice?

Ooh good one. Jerry runs hills like a madman. Backwards. Ray repeatedly washes his hands (right then left) 25 times before taking his first shot of the day. Tough call.

 

[intlzncster]

This might be the most absurd thing ever posted on The Boneyard. Russell won 14 championships in a 15 year period if you include college, the Olympics and the NBA... and that was playing against Wilt for many years. Russell was the ultimate winner... and averaged 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for his career.

In fairness, numbers don't remotely translate over such different eras. Wilt averaged 30.1 pts; 22.9 rbd; 4.4 assists over his career. Heck, Wilt averaged 50.1 pts and 25.7 boards one season!

None of those things can happen today.

 

[CallMeBruce]

This might be the most absurd thing ever posted on The Boneyard. Russell won 14 championships in a 15 year period if you include college, the Olympics and the NBA... and that was playing against Wilt for many years. Russell was the ultimate winner... and averaged 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for his career.

But he was barely above-average on offense. Russell might be the greatest defensive player ever, but if you want to have a conversation about the best basketball player ever, that player has to be a great offensive player, too.

 

[Robertelamin]

Agree with almost every point but one. Although 10 is obviously purposely absurd on your part Shaq could have easily won 6-ish championships, 5ish MVPs. I simply think he could have been in argument with Jordan, Wilt, Russell, Kareem and now LeBron. Instead he sits right outside this with Bird, Magic etc..

Could have easily? I don't think it works that way...

 

[tentoes4rings]

Unfortunately I never got to see Russell play, but historicity speaks for itself. Shaquille was such a dominant physical presence though that he completely changed the game. The dude was constantly doubled and so hard to stop that the hack-a-Shaq had to be employed. He could have added an easy 5 ppg if he shot a respectable number from the Line. Shaq for about a 10 year period was one of the most dominant players in NBA history.

 

[Waquoit]

Those stats actually are in fact "very poor" for someone with the supposed otherwordly athleticism that Strummer was claiming Stanley had.

What I said was in response to Strummer claiming he's a better athlete than almost everyone in the NBA and with Jeff Adriens motor could be too 5 nba player of all time! Stanley was a good athlete. But nothing extraordinary as your stats clearly point out which support my stance and contradict his absurd claims of legendary athleticism.

Stamley's problem wasn't athleticism. I don't think I've seen a Husky jump higher, for instance. The problem was that he would just disappear for long stretches. He was better than a "good" athlete.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Stamley's problem wasn't athleticism. I don't think I've seen a Husky jump higher, for instance. The problem was that he would just disappear for long stretches. He was better than a "good" athlete.

I'm fairly confident that 20 years from now we'll still be debating what makes a great athlete in regards to Stanley. It's the debate that will never, ever die.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Those stats actually are in fact "very poor" for someone with the supposed otherwordly athleticism that Strummer was claiming Stanley had.

What I said was in response to Strummer claiming he's a better athlete than almost everyone in the NBA and with Jeff Adriens motor could be too 5 nba player of all time! Stanley was a good athlete. But nothing extraordinary as your stats clearly point out which support my stance and contradict his absurd claims of legendary athleticism.

I win

Haha, now you're moving the goalposts. You said "very poorly", without attaching any context. Don't give up now.