[high floorParticipant]

Two dominant big men who could not have had different personalities. Duncan was the model of consistency, and was stoic on the floor & by all accounts a cool-customer inside the locker room. Shaq had to be the biggest, loudest, funniest, most dominant personality at all times. But wow…. hard to argue against either guy as the most impactful post players the game has seen the past 25 years. Stats only tell a small part of the story, but after looking into the numbers they were very comparable over their careers:

Duncan:

Career averages of 19pts/11reb/3assists/2.2blks/51%FG

• 5 Championships
• 15 Time All Star
• 2 time MVP
• 15 All NBA Selections
• 8 Time Defensive 1st Team Selection

Shaq:

Career averages of 23pts/11rebs/2.5assists/2.3blks/58%FG

• 4 Championships
• 15 Time All Star
• 1 Time MVP
• 14 All NBA Selections
• 3 Time Defensive 1st Team Selection

 

  

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

 I’d say Shaq was a more talented player; but Duncan was more consistent, a better teammate overall, and maximized his abilities. I think Shaq could’ve been better than he was had he stayed in better shape (his prime was better than Duncan’s, I’d say).

Because of all this, I’d take Mr. Fundamentals over Shaq, even though I may be in the minority.

 

[Celtics3178Participant]

I agree Duncan but I disagree shaq was more talented. He was a physical beast but he couldn’t shoot free throws or score any where outside the paint

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

When people say Shaq was more talented I think they’re just talking about from a physical perspective. While Duncan was undoubtedly the more skilled basketball player, shaq had physical gifts that probably no one could match. It’s how he was so dominant despite a pretty lackluster overall work ethic. If he had even a third of the drive and motivation that most of the other all-time greats had, he could have easily been the greatest ever.

[Miko4rm206Participant]

 If they were both in their Prime it would be Shaq. Back in the 2001 western conference finals the Spurs and Duncan had no answers for Shaq. Duncan was solid too. But shaq was too big and physical in the paint. He avg 27 and 13 that series and then against the 6ers 33 and 16.

Duncan is still great and still a winner. The only player to win a championship in 3 different decades. But a Prime Shaq with his size, strength and athleticism I don’t think anybody could guard that

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 can’t go wrong with 2 HOFers obviously, but I take Shaq.

1. He forced teams to change their lineups and rotations. Teams had to sign big boys and sit them at the end of the bench just in case they get matched up with Shaq in the playoffs. Now back up bigs who average 5 minutes a game are playing 20 mpg because of foul trouble and you can’t guard him with 4s.

2. FTs- Yes he sucked at free throws, but he forced so many fouls that his team got in the bonus quickly. Any touch foul was 2 free points for D Fish or Kobe or Fox. Shaq was the one to earn those points by drawing the first 4 fouls or so.

3. I still believe Shaq was unfairly refereed. No player in the history of the NBA has been hacked/pushed/slapped without a call than Shaq. People like Dudley literally throwing his whole body in him and the refs are just like, "well you’re bigger so we’ll let this slide."

I won’t fault anyone for taking Duncan, but I take Shaq.

 

 

[kobyzParticipant]

 Shaq got away a lot with foul the other team also, they didn’t call close to what they should have on him not moving his feet fast enough and making contact…

[WotanParticipant]

 You’ve got to be kidding me. Did you watch him play? No player in the history of the league ever benefited more from the refs whistle than Shaq in his prime. Offensive fouls did not exist for that man.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Shaq was more dominant in his prime, but Duncan had the better overall career, was a better teammate and was just a better player to build around. Shaqs ego and need to be the man arguably cost him championships and his lackluster work ethic caught up to him later in his career. Duncan, meanwhile had no ego and gladly embraced a lesser role when he started to decline for the good of the team. If I had to choose one I’m going with Duncan without a second thought.

[holefillers1Participant]

Shaq won championships.
More of Duncan’s allure comes with his longevity. He would not be able to go from team to team and do what Shaq did.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Timmy D was such a Class act! So Consistent

But Shaq in his prime was the Most Dominant force the NBA has ever seen 

There’s a reason Only 2 players in Modern NBA History (1980 – present) have a 3 peat W/ 3 str8 Finals MVP’s 

Shaq Diesel & Air Jordan – gotta go w/ Shaq but it’s Razor close 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Timmy D was such a Class act! So Consistent

But Shaq in his prime was the Most Dominant force the NBA has ever seen 

There’s a reason Only 2 players in Modern NBA History (1980 – present) have a 3 peat W/ 3 str8 Finals MVP’s 

Shaq Diesel & Air Jordan – gotta go w/ Shaq but it’s Razor close 

 

 

 

[whiteflashParticipant]

Looking at this objectively, I gotta go Duncan. Shaq came into the league in ’92 and made his first Finals in ’95, but didn’t win his first until ’01, after all of the other great centers (Olajuwon, Robinson and Ewing) were old men. Duncan came in in ’97 and won his first the next year. Duncan also never played with another superstar (Robinson was well past his prime), and Shaq played with three, two of which being among the top 5 2-guards in league history. Shaq was also lazy, entitled and defensive whereas Duncan showed up and did his job.

 Shaq’s’s numbers never improved much after the other great big men retired either, which is insane. He should’ve been considerably more dominant than he was, considering there wasn’t any real opposition at the 5 and he was now in the dominant PF era. Duncan played his prime going against KG, Dirk, Webber, Stoudamire, Elton Brand, etc… and always came out on top.

I love Shaq, and he was truly the most unique physical specimen the game has ever seen, but as great as he was he actually had an underwhelming career. Duncan maxed out. I’m going Duncan.

 

[kobyzParticipant]

 Duncan could have easily at least 7 rings, was very unlucky in his career, with stupid caoch who doesn’t foul last possession up by 3 in a championship game…

[high floorParticipant]

Not that I begrudge negative takes on this site….. but we’re talking about an all-time great coach whose wife just passed away. Show some tact my brother…… 

[kobyzParticipant]

 I didn’t be disrespectful to his loss, I was on topic…

[whiteflashParticipant]

 Not only that, but calling the guy who’s arguably the greatest coach of all time "stupid" is pretty silly.

[cabbycabParticipant]

 Can’t go wrong with either but I’m a Shaq guy.  I remember in his rookie season, they played the Wolves ( possibly preseason ).  Shaq was guarded by Felton Spencer in the post.  He took one dribble and did a vicious hook dunk right over Spencer.  It was like Spencer wasn’t even there !!!  Physically, he was simply awesome.  

[SubZeroParticipant]

Prime years: Shaq
Career: Timmy D

I pray we can be so lucky to see another Shaq again but I don’t know if we ever will. I was only 5 when they won their first in LA and by the time I got old enough to really pay attention and get into it more than I already was, he was well past his prime

[whiteflashParticipant]

 That’s what I was getting at with my post. I presented nothing but facts and got 5 thumbs downs. Don’t understand it, but right on.

[Author]

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