He was one of the most dominant players in NBA history. Center Shaquille O’Neal was a man on a mission during his playing days. The 15 time All-Star is a Hall of Famer after an 18-year career. What did he do? Nothing much, other than averaging nearly 24 points and 11 points a game. Known for his emphatic dunks (which would sometimes break backboards) and dominant play in the paint (not to forget his defensive highlights), it goes to wonder: would Shaq dominate in today’s NBA?
Advantages
Let’s start with the man’s unmatched size and strength:. Even in today’s league with big men who have evolved, Shaq’s sheer size (7’1″, 300+ pounds) and strength would be a massive advantage. He was nearly impossible to move in the paint and could overpower most defenders. Even if you try putting guys like Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama on him, they stand no chance against the Big Aristotle.
Also, think about the spacing in today’s NBA. The league emphasizes spacing the floor with three-point shooters. This would create even more room for Shaq to operate in the low post, as teams wouldn’t be able to double-team him as easily without leaving shooters open. Imagine him on the Golden State Warriors right now.
The big man wasn’t just a bully in the paint. His well-developed arsenal of post moves and footwork helped him back down defenders, use his massive frame to shield the ball, and score with power or finesse.
Challenges
However, it is not to say we can’t think of any reasons why Shaq would struggle in today’s league.
The league’s focus on perimeter shooting could hurt Shaq’s team offensively if he can’t space the floor himself. He might clog the paint for teammates driving to the basket. Also, with the NBA becoming faster paced with more ball movement. he might struggle to keep up with the movement and switching on defense. The result: open shots for opponents.
Finally, we have to mention his poor free-throw shooting. A career 53% free throw shooter, teams might employ the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy, intentionally fouling him to force him to the line.
Conclusion
Shaq’s dominance would be tempered in today’s NBA due to the faster pace and emphasis on outside shooting. But, his immense size, strength, and post skills would still make him a very difficult matchup for most teams at the end of the day. Who couldn’t use a guy like Shaq on their team these days?
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Featured Image: NBA Photos
