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Did a search and was surprised this wasn't a thread. So who was the best big man of the post-Jordan era? Timmy or Shaq?
As many as four or five years ago I would have given Shaq the edge. But after seeing what Tim could do these playoffs at age 37, I'm going with him. We all remember when Shaq was with the Cavs a few years ago at about the same age. He wasn't anywhere near what Duncan was in 2013. Also, Duncan is a great defender while Shaq underachieved greatly on that side of the ball.
In conclusion, I'd say maybe a slight edge to Shaq at his absolute peak for sheer dominance, but overall Duncan is the superior player, imo. Both of these guys will be missed. We see what the big men in the league look like now.
Career Duncan?
Shaq had a long and consistent career too. One of the longest. 20 years. He dominated his position for 14 of those years. And in his final years he aged like every other star would.
Shaq was more dominant, had a bigger impact on his team's success and couldn't be contained by other centers.
Tim was great but was hardly dominant. He did however outshine other all star PFs Garnett and Webber in the 2000s.
Career Duncan?
Shaq had a long and consistent career too. One of the longest. 20 years. He dominated his position for 14 of those years. And in his final years he aged like every other star would.
Shaq was more dominant, had a bigger impact on his team's success and couldn't be contained by other centers.
Tim was great but was hardly dominant. He did however outshine other all star PFs Garnett and Webber in the 2000s.
You sure about that? Duncan never had a running mate as good as Kobe or 06 Wade. Robinson was already pretty much done by the time he got there.
Also, Duncan has still aged far better than Shaq. It's not even close. At age 37 Duncan flat out owned Howard, both Gasols, and Randolph. By the time he got to the Cavs and Celtics Shaq had nothing left.
Career Duncan?
Shaq had a long and consistent career too. One of the longest. 20 years. He dominated his position for 14 of those years. And in his final years he aged like every other star would.
Shaq was more dominant, had a bigger impact on his team's success and couldn't be contained by other centers.
Tim was great but was hardly dominant. He did however outshine other all star PFs Garnett and Webber in the 2000s.
just a silly argument
shaq was dominant for or very good for 13 seasons, in his 14th his body brokedown or began to. his 14th season was his 2nd in miami where he only played 59 games. his numbers were somewhat comparable to what duncan did this past season but the difference is tim was 4 years older. from that point on shaq only played more then 61 games 1 season (his lone season in the magic waters in the valley of the sun where all dead players go to revive their dying careers).
you can compare head to head as well.
in their careers vs each other, tim averaged 22ppg/12.1 rpg/2.7 assists to shaqs 21.7ppg, 10.6, 1.7 apg
in the playoffs tim 25.6ppg/ 13rpg/ 3.8 apg to shaqs 22.4ppg/12.8rpg/ 2.2 apg. Tim Duncan vs. Shaquille O'Neal | Basketball-Reference.com
shaq was dominant for a period of time but tim has clearly been the more consistent. shaq put up big numbers early in his career, then at the end he put up decent numbers but played FAR FEWER games. hell shaq didnt play that many games really at all, in 19 seasons he only played more then 61 games 7 times, 6 if you take out the lockout season he played in. tim duncan with the exception of the 2 lockout seasons has never played LESS 66, and only less then 74 games 3 times. in those 2 lockouts combined he missed a total of 8 games out of a possible 116 games. thats consistency.
You sure about that? Duncan never had a running mate as good as Kobe or 06 Wade. Robinson was already pretty much done by the time he got there.
Also, Duncan has still aged far better than Shaq. It's not even close. At age 37 Duncan flat out owned Howard, both Gasols, and Randolph. By the time he got to the Cavs and Celtics Shaq had nothing left.
Duncan had plenty of help. No, not one person as good as those guys, but he had 2 other all stars.
I wouldn't consider Howard, Gasol, and Zach Randolph to be tough competition. Of course he owned them, such as Shaq would as well.
rigas
Youre talking about head to head? You cant use that argument because the main times they were both in prime shape and playing each other, Robinson was the center and guarded Shaq the most. And Shaq never ventured out to the 4.
Between 99-04, in the playoffs the Lakers are 3-2 in series against the Spurs though.
Shaq had a better career. They both have 4 championships but Shaq took his team to the finals 6 vs duncans 5 times. Shaq had better stats. Even taking into consideration Shaqs longer career and huge drop off at the end, he still has better ppg, bpg and fg%, while having about the same mpg. Now if you conpare their first 16 seasons, Shaq blows duncan away. Shaq was guarded like MJ, double teamed and triple teamed, hacked, planned for more intensely by the other team.
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