LeBron or Shaq

[centrelink]

Who would you rather build a team around? Who is the more dominant player overall?

[Braswell10]

Lebron just because he is an all around player. You don't want to build a team around a center who can only score in the paint.

[GC1980]

I have a draft pick and these two guys are on the board I am taking Shaq. I'd argue I would prefer to build around the center that can score in the paint. Shaq was an excellent passer for a big and surrounded by shooter he would be an absolute nightmare today just like he was in this prime. He can also protect the rim and grab rebounds.

No wrong pick here but I just think it's easier to find player to compliment Shaq.

[asujbl]

If I was picking between the 2 to start a team? Give me LeBron

If you're asking me who is more dominant (at full effort) the answer is Shaq

[SirVolan]

If we are talking with the current league talent, I would go shaq. No one stands a chance against him right now.

[bmp8878]

I have a draft pick and these two guys are on the board I am taking Shaq. I'd argue I would prefer to build around the center that can score in the paint. Shaq was an excellent passer for a big and surrounded by shooter he would be an absolute nightmare today just like he was in this prime. He can also protect the rim and grab rebounds.

No wrong pick here but I just think it's easier to find player to compliment Shaq.

This is exactly my thoughts on this question. Very well said.

[Jpayne7787]

Close but I'd go Shaq, and if Lebron retired today Shaq would also have had the better career IMO

[spurs50fan]

Darn good question. I would always lean towards a dominant big man so I'd say Shaq. Tough choice though because Lebron causes similar headaches but in different ways. Spacing, defense, complimentary pieces and so on.....starts with that anchor.

[Scottish Punk]

Well if it was young Shaq and you told me he would develop and offensive game, than Shaq all day. I would always prefer to build a team around a center. If Shaq's career arc is the same as it is, than I would take Lebron. Lebron makes his team better, you could play faster (you don't have to wait for shaq to get into shape), and he can be on the floor in the closing minutes.

[DajuanWagner]

If we are talking today's basketball, I would pick Lebron.


In today's game, the rules are written to aid the 3 point shooters who get nowhere near the paint. Shaq would own the paint, but nobody likes to go in the paint because no one wants to chip a nail and be on the shelf all year. It used to be, "you live by the 3, you die by the 3". Now it is just, "you live by the 3, and keep shooting 3's until you die trying".

[codered]

If I was picking between the 2 to start a team? Give me LeBron

If you're asking me who is more dominant (at full effort) the answer is Shaq

X2 couldn't have said it better

[drobfan8]

If I got 10 years straight from rookie to 10th year. It's Shaq all day.

LeBron keeps his teams in games but rarely can he win them on his own.

[pgisback]

Lebron easy

[Orangejello727]

Im gonna have to go with Kobe all day every day! :flex::flex::flex:

[ThoseBackPages]

Very close indeed.

Shaq had that fire. LeBron has fire, but cannot close

[purejd86p]

If I got 10 years straight from rookie to 10th year. It's Shaq all day.

LeBron keeps his teams in games but rarely can he win them on his own.

Shocker!

[the mesiah]

Start a franchise from scratch , gotta go with Big Aristotle. Sf's , sg's pg's are a dime a dozen , TRUE long term bigs that are game changers very very rare,.

[asujbl]

If I got 10 years straight from rookie to 10th year. It's Shaq all day.

LeBron keeps his teams in games but rarely can he win them on his own.

Can I get some examples of games Shaq won on his own? Especially playoffs? Thanks

I can name quite a few LeBron games so we need apples to apples

[exoticprince]

Shaq was my favourite player right from his rookie year and he could literally carry a team on his back during his prime years. His teammates would have the easiest job cuz teams double and triple teamed him all day. But Lebron also makes teams that much better. It's a tough one.

[tacoma34]

Shaq. LeBron is a floppy choker.

[6celtics33]

Shaq, I'd prefer to play inside out.

A big man scores close to the basket and is more efficient, rebounds the ball, is taller so can see to pass out to open shooters, protects the rim, and starts the break. It's just much easier to build a system around a guy like Shaq in my opinion.

I wouldn't even know what to build around Lebron. All I've ever seen him do is dribble dribble dribble while people watch.

Lebron is equally as great, just from a style standpoint, I would prefer to build around Shaq

Also, I'm a hater

[GC1980]

If we are talking today's basketball, I would pick Lebron.


In today's game, the rules are written to aid the 3 point shooters who get nowhere near the paint. Shaq would own the paint, but nobody likes to go in the paint because no one wants to chip a nail and be on the shelf all year. It used to be, "you live by the 3, you die by the 3". Now it is just, "you live by the 3, and keep shooting 3's until you die trying".

That point makes Shaq a better choice. Surround him with gunners and if there is a double you get an easy 3. It's a miss he gives you a strong chance for a rebound and easy put back. No player today could hope to guard Shaq so doubles and triples have to come. If you are going to let Shaq dunk every play and hope to counter it chucking lower percentage threes I'll take that game plan all day long.

[drobfan8]

Can I get some examples of games Shaq won on his own? Especially playoffs? Thanks

I can name quite a few LeBron games so we need apples to apples

This is awkward, someone obviously didn't watch the 2000 NBA finals.

Kobe leaves early in game 2 and sits game 3. He averaged just 15 PPG.

Shaq, well he had 38/16/5 and almost 3 blocks per.

[drobfan8]

That point makes Shaq a better choice. Surround him with gunners and if there is a double you get an easy 3. It's a miss he gives you a strong chance for a rebound and easy put back. No player today could hope to guard Shaq so doubles and triples have to come. If you are going to let Shaq dunk every play and hope to counter it chucking lower percentage threes I'll take that game plan all day long.

We can only imagine how dominant Shaq would be in this era considering he dominated vs All Time greats like Robinson, Zo, Ewing and even Hakeem.

Prime Shaq now? Scary.

He was so athletic early on too.

[drobfan8]

Shaq. LeBron is a floppy choker.

You a hater

[6celtics33]

As much as people want to believe the game has changed, as soon as someone like Shaq shows up, it'll change right back. The skilled players are smaller now so the league tries to copy that but they salivate every time an Anthony Davis or Embiid type pops up in the draft. That should say something.

[rhigh2390]

As much as people want to believe the game has changed, as soon as someone like Shaq shows up, it'll change right back. The skilled players are smaller now so the league tries to copy that but they salivate every time an Anthony Davis or Embiid type pops up in the draft. That should say something.

That's my thinking on it. Could you imagine a guy like Shaq coming into the league today? It would be even more unfair having him on your team now then it was back then when teams actually had centers that would try to stop him. As people said earlier, Shaq posted on greats like DRob, Hakeem, Ewing, Zo, etc.... What would Shaq do against, Embiid, Davis, Towns, Gasol, Whiteside, etc? SCARY!

[BigL7370]

I'll take Lavar over both.

[elee712]

That's my thinking on it. Could you imagine a guy like Shaq coming into the league today? It would be even more unfair having him on your team now then it was back then when teams actually had centers that would try to stop him. As people said earlier, Shaq posted on greats like DRob, Hakeem, Ewing, Zo, etc.... What would Shaq do against, Embiid, Davis, Towns, Gasol, Whiteside, etc? SCARY!

As easy as it to say someone like shaq would dominate paint on offense, he would still need to play perimeter defense which he won't be able to do, and run the floor in transition.

He still needs to learn how to shoot free throws consistently and at the end of the day, 3s are still worth more than 2s.

It's a different game built around extra passing and utilizing the three point shot. I can't see how shaq could change the game back to the way it was in the 90s.

[pgisback]

"He's a mixture of Michael, Shaq and Magic," - Shaq on Lebron

[pingbling23]

Interestingly this is a good question. I think Shaq is more dominant in his prime but Lebron is better over the long term and makes everyone better. I go with Lebron regardless of the tired false narrative the peanut gallery spews out.

[drobfan8]

As easy as it to say someone like shaq would dominate paint on offense, he would still need to play perimeter defense which he won't be able to do, and run the floor in transition.

He still needs to learn how to shoot free throws consistently and at the end of the day, 3s are still worth more than 2s.

It's a different game built around extra passing and utilizing the three point shot. I can't see how shaq could change the game back to the way it was in the 90s.

Why would he need to play perimeter defense? There are still Centers and 4s running around. Teams don't play 5 out.

Also, even if you went small I'm not sure how long that could hold up. Most 3 point shooting teams do their damage in transition. Transition off a made bucket is not the same as off a miss.

Shaq would have these guys in foul trouble. Also, prime Shaq was not the slow unathletic mess some are thinking of.

By the way, before the LeBron guys get too emotional, this is a total coin flip, 50/50 call.

FYI I'd take TD over both. But all 3 over Kobe :)

[Nyfancam01]

Easy and not even close really.

LeBron James.

[6celtics33]

As easy as it to say someone like shaq would dominate paint on offense, he would still need to play perimeter defense which he won't be able to do, and run the floor in transition.

He still needs to learn how to shoot free throws consistently and at the end of the day, 3s are still worth more than 2s.

It's a different game built around extra passing and utilizing the three point shot. I can't see how shaq could change the game back to the way it was in the 90s.

The best players make the league react to them, not the other way around. Your team might give him trouble when it goes to its 5 small players with Draymond and Durant down low but then who guards Shaq? It would be foul trouble real quick.

[6celtics33]

"He's a mixture of Michael, Shaq and Magic," - Shaq on Lebron

Also, equal parts Swackhammer and cyberdine systems model 101, you'd think he'd win more and blame/whine less being the lab created superhuman that he is.

[pgisback]

Playoffs
Pts | Asts | Reb
Lebron Cavs 29.4 | 7.6 | 9.1
Shaq Lakers 27.7 | 3.0 | 13.4

[bmf]

Man o man this is a tough one!

[6celtics33]

Playoffs
Pts | Asts | Reb
Lebron Cavs 29.4 | 7.6 | 9.1
Shaq Lakers 24.4 | 2.6 | 11.8

For now, you'll find Father Time has a pretty good record

[ccunanan40]

Great question.... I would love to see both player playing together in their primes. Shaq from 1992-2005 was unstoppable. And LeBron 2010-now. That would be fun.

[Archangel1775]

I'd rather build around a prime Shaq than LeBron.

[hofcollector2]

Shaq, easily.

[Soleternity]

This is awkward, someone obviously didn't watch the 2000 NBA finals.

Kobe leaves early in game 2 and sits game 3. He averaged just 15 PPG.

Shaq, well he had 38/16/5 and almost 3 blocks per.

Had to look this one up, myself. Wow!

[bballcollector]

I'm taking Shaq. He was pretty much unstoppable in his prime.

[cedar rapids]

3 ways to defend Shaq.
-Pray you get a lucky charge call.
-double/triple team him.
-Hack the piss out of him.
Or its 2 points or an and 1 every time. Shaq all the way and I don't understand why his cards are so low.

[tennelson55]

If I got 10 years straight from rookie to 10th year. It's Shaq all day.

LeBron keeps his teams in games but rarely can he win them on his own.

are you imp;ying shaq won them on his own?

oh wait, he had dwade and kobe in their respective primes...

[drobfan8]

are you imp;ying shaq won them on his own?

oh wait, he had dwade and kobe in their respective primes...

See the 2000 NBA finals.

Oh and Wade and Kobe weren't in their primes with Shaq.

Year 2 and 3 with Wade.

LeBron actually had Bosh and Wade in their primes. Came up with 2 measly chips. Definitely not 4, 5, 6 etc



Looks like majority have taken Shaq.

You're all haters!!!
Leave Britney/LeBron alone you bastards

[Rareairx23]

Im taking the diesel

[jj2]

See the 2000 NBA finals.

Oh and Wade and Kobe weren't in their primes with Shaq.

Year 2 and 3 with Wade.

Wade had one of the greatest Finals series of all time. I'm not sure it makes much difference whether he was in his prime yet.

[chezball]

Im taking the diesel

https://media1.giphy.com/media/yDBr7y9JQaXza/200w.webp#20-grid1

[drobfan8]

Wade had one of the greatest Finals series of all time. I'm not sure it makes much difference whether he was in his prime yet.

Someone else mentioned Wade. Wade is not the reason I'm taking Shaq.

Oh and Wade was clearly aided by having incredible vets around him.

[JasonM32]

Lebron is one of the all time greats but I'd rather have Shaq.

[pennywise]

Who would you rather build a team around? Who is the more dominant player overall?

Build a team around? Shaq.

More dominant player overall? Shaq.

People forget how nimble Shaq was in the 90s. I'm taking the 7 footer who runs the floor and dunks all over everybody, while regularly giving my offense second and third chances off of missed shots. Prime Shaq gives you excellent rim protection too. LeBron is special. Shaq was unique. It's close and there are strong arguments to be made for both sides but I'm going with the big guy.

[bmp8878]

The good ol days. :)!

https://media0.giphy.com/media/DL6BZEiZnuhqg/giphy.gif

[pingbling23]

The good ol days. :)!

https://media0.giphy.com/media/DL6BZEiZnuhqg/giphy.gif

Love the ignorance when people said Shaq was just tall and strong. Look at that footwork.

[rhigh2390]

Love the ignorance when people said Shaq was just tall and strong. Look at that footwork.

He was KING of the dropstep. Absolutely nothing you could do when he wanted to get to the rim.

[maconithappen]

Shaq. LeBron is a floppy choker.

haha, yup!

[Kobe101]

I hate Lebron but you talking now???

He wouldn't be able to get back on D like ever...he would have to shoot like 80% from field and up his FT percentage and have shooters on team or Lebrons team would kill him!!

Kobe101= Lebron Hater

[JasonM32]

Shaq kinda diminished his legacy by not staying in shape and playing a little too long. Bounced around to a lot of teams at the end. As a result I don't think a lot of people realize how great he was.