Clash of the titans: Jordan or Shaq???

[mjbulls23]

What separates the two players in my mind:

Shaq's domination of the glass
Jordan's domination in the clutch (with the advantage compounded by Shaq's virtual liability status)
MJ's durability advantage

Everything else is fairly even, and it is easier to build a team around Shaq. At least in regards to C vs SG. But MJ's two advantages seals the deal for me. If only barely.

agreed. Though it's pretty close if you want to narrow it down to their best seasons. Jordan or not, this game is dominated by bigs and always has been (minus the last few years).

Jordan had players such as John Starks who could shut him down.

sarcasm?

[Samurai Swoosh]

Jordan or bust. Especially compared to Shaq. Shaq never played an 82 game season. Shaq wasn't even as good as Hakeem.

[Loki]

Really having watched you would take another player over the 2000 shaq?

Yes, for exactly the reasons I stated. I would take '89-'92 Jordan over 2000 Shaq. Similar production in both the playoffs/RS, far better intangibles, far better 4th quarter player, far more able to have a big game on command. Plus Jordan was an assassin.

It's very close, though. Shaq's peak (2000 and 2001 imo) is insanely high. Basically as high as any other top 5 player's best few years.

[shawbryant]

Top 10 Players Efficiency Ratings

1. Michael Jordan 27.91
2. Shaquille O'Neal 27.14
3. David Robinson 26.18
4. Wilt Chamberlain* 26.13
5. Bob Pettit* 25.37
6. LeBron James 25.17
7. Tim Duncan 25.10
8. Neil Johnston* 24.67
9. Charles Barkley* 24.63
10. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* 24.58


Shaquille O'Neal Players Efficiency Rating


1993-94 NBA 28.5 (2)
1994-95 NBA 28.6 (2)
1997-98 NBA 28.8 (1)
1998-99 NBA 30.6 (1)
1999-00 NBA 30.6 (1)
2000-01 NBA 30.2 (1)
2001-02 NBA 29.7 (1)
2002-03 NBA 29.5 (2)
2003-04 NBA 24.4 (4)
2004-05 NBA 27.0 (3)


Michael Jordan Players Efficiency Rating

1984-85 NBA 25.8 (2)
1986-87 NBA 29.8 (1)
1987-88 NBA 31.7 (1)
1988-89 NBA 31.1 (1)
1989-90 NBA 31.2 (1)
1990-91 NBA 31.6 (1)
1991-92 NBA 27.7 (1)
1992-93 NBA 29.7 (1)
1995-96 NBA 29.4 (2)
1996-97 NBA 27.8 (2)
1997-98 NBA 25.2 (4)

Where I can find the complete list that includes everyyears ranking?
Thanks!

[Day La Ghetto]

why does everyone think shaqs prime lasted only 3/4 years? because those are the years he won the title? he was just as unstoppable in 96/97 as he was in 2000. and dont anwser this subjective to the way i asked because they isnt a right anwser because im right already.

[Day La Ghetto]

oh and comparing a center to a guard is stupid as phuck, cant be done. apples and oranges, so whoever answered the original thread question seriously and used reasons to back it up is dumb to start with and just posting to post.

[72-10]

shaq made it to the finals 5 times fyi. perhaps if he didnt move from orlando to la la land, it could have been 6 or 7 times. (just because lakers were sorta kinda going thru the rebuilding stage when they brought shaq in.)

Shaq played in 6 Finals (1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006).

[NotALakerTroll]

I'd rather have Michael Jordan in his prime, probably because he was in his prime a lot longer than Shaq was. Also, Michael Jordan was a great closer, and Shaquille relied heavily on Kobe and then Wade because of his terrible free throw shooting.

[72-10]

he was just as unstoppable in 96/97 as he was in 2000.

No. He wasn't. Shaq's best season was clearly, CLEARLY 1999-00. You would be a fool to choose any other season. And his second best season was clearly the following year. He had hulked up a bit then, I do wonder if he might have been doing something besides hitting the weights, but that was those few years around the century mark saw at least the second most dominant player I have seen (after you know who).

and dont anwser this subjective to the way i asked because they isnt a right anwser because im right already.

WTF is that even supposed to mean?

[72-10]

I'd rather have Michael Jordan in his prime, probably because he was in his prime a lot longer than Shaq was. Also, Michael Jordan was a great closer, and Shaquille relied heavily on Kobe and then Wade because of his terrible free throw shooting.

Shaq could have won a ring with anyone in his prime. He certainly did not "rely" on any one player.

[NotALakerTroll]

Shaq could have won a ring with anyone in his prime. He certainly did not "rely" on any one player.

Near the end of games he did. Shaq was not the go to player in the final 3 minutes of the game, because of his tendency to MISS FREE THROWS! He certainly relied on Kobe/Wade, because they were usually the one's who got the ball at the end of the game.

[lilojmayo]

Jordan

why is this even a debate jordan at 35 years delivered a 6th championship Shaq 35 washed up


Shaq was able to be stopped in 2000

3 words

Hack a Shaq its done after that

[Loki]

Jordan

why is this even a debate jordan at 35 years delivered a 6th championship Shaq 35 washed up


Shaq was able to be stopped in 2000

3 words

Hack a Shaq its done after that

Nah, it's not that simple (though I agree with you on the longevity issue). I look at who is the better player as "who gives me the better chance to win more games?" And '89-'92 Jordan has an edge there on '00/'01 Shaq, but it's slight. Like I said, Shaq's peak was insanely high.

The only reason that the Jordan > Shaq logic doesn't apply to other perimeter players who are also superior late-game players as compared to Shaq is because they can't produce like Shaq did. Jordan could, however, so that coupled with his intangibles, mentality, late game dominance, and on-cue game-raising puts him (slightly) ahead imo.

[Lebron23]

Where I can find the complete list that includes everyyears ranking?
Thanks!

Basketball Reference.com

[NotALakerTroll]

I think LeBron will eventually be up in the conversation with Jordan and Shaq. He's so big, and if he ever develops his jump shot he could be unstoppable.