Michael Jordan explains why Russell's Celtics aren't as impressive as the 3peat bulls

[ArbitraryWater]

Good research on the video OP.

[Psileas]

In his third season, Shaq basically played peak Hakeem to a statistical draw, and H2H, for his career, has outplayed him dramatically.

In the playoffs? Dude outplayed every relevant center at that time pretty considerably (greatest era of centers).

3rd season or not, 1995 Shaq, statistically, was close to his own peak, as well. So, it's not that surprising that he'd play Hakeem to a statistical draw.

Playoffs? After '96, there's nothing resembling "greatest era of centers". Hakeem starts going south quickly, Robinson gets injured in late '96 and is never the same again, Ewing also loses steps, Zo lasts for a few seasons more, but doesn't matter, since the two never faced each other in the playoffs.

Shaq faced 0 great centers in '94, 1 in '95 (in a 4 round run), 0 in '96, 0 in '97 (what ifs don't count), 0 in '98 and 2 in '99, but both past their primes.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

3rd season or not, 1995 Shaq, statistically, was close to his own peak, as well. So, it's not that surprising that he'd play Hakeem to a statistical draw.

Playoffs? After '96, there's nothing resembling "greatest era of centers". Hakeem starts going south quickly, Robinson gets injured in late '96 and is never the same again, Ewing also loses steps, Zo lasts for a few seasons more, but doesn't matter, since the two never faced each other in the playoffs.

Shaq faced 0 great centers in '94, 1 in '95 (in a 4 round run), 0 in '96, 0 in '97 (what ifs don't count), 0 in '98 and 2 in '99, but both past their primes.

3rd year Shaq is still 3rd year Shaq, which means he wasn't GOAT tier like he was in 2000, or during the 2001 playoffs (where he dismantled the leagues DPOY).

BTW, Sabonis was an all-time great, international center. Smits who put up ~17/8 was good for his time AND another all-star caliber center. Shaq also faced Ben Wallace (one of the greatest defenders during his prime) and Duncan (duel PF/C) who he has series against, totally outplaying him.

Shaq never discriminated. He proved himself against the BEST centers during an era where they reigned supreme. Dude is also one of the greatest playoff and finals performers - against quality competition too.

[Psileas]

3rd year Shaq is still 3rd year Shaq, which means he wasn't GOAT tier like he was in 2000, or during the 2001 playoffs (where he dismantled the leagues DPOY).

BTW, Sabonis was an all-time great, international center. Smits who put up ~17/8 was good for his time AND another all-star caliber center. Shaq also faced Ben Wallace (one of the greatest defenders during his prime) and Duncan (duel PF/C) who he has series against, totally outplaying him.

Shaq never discriminated. He proved himself against the BEST centers during an era where they reigned supreme. Dude is also one of the greatest playoff and finals performers - against quality competition too.

He wasn't GOAT tier because his career was only taking off, not because he wasn't playing at a high enough level. Statistically, he was probably already more than 90% of what his peak 2000 self was.
As for the rest, so did any GOAT tier center really. Some of them faced more often high quality centers than Shaq has. Especially if you're willing to enter guys like Smits and Sabonis.

[Elosha]

[QUOTE=jlip]Russell trolled MJ about this very matter.

[B]Russell recalls a golf outing he had with Jordan during the Bulls

[aj1987]

He wasn't GOAT tier because his career was only taking off, not because he wasn't playing at a high enough level. Statistically, he was probably already more than 90% of what his peak 2000 self was.
As for the rest, so did any GOAT tier center really. Some of them faced more often high quality centers than Shaq has. Especially if you're willing to enter guys like Smits and Sabonis.

Sounds like you're making excuses to make Chokerlain look better than Shaq. Something which is never gonna happen. One elevated his play in the PO's and the other wilts. You can guess who's who.

Paxon would most definitely not be up in the stands in the 60's. He's truly underrated. Great clutch shooter, better than expected ballhandler (not fancy but very solid and risk free), good soft touch around the rim. He's just another Bulls player that did his job well and without complaint, while getting overshadowed by his start teammates.

Yep. Dude knows it, but can't admit it. The guy won 11 in the weakest era EVER. A joke era, TBH. All those "records" should come with and asterisk and be ignored.

[riseagainst]

so a better player would have taken the shot?