What made Shaq so dominant in his prime?

[iamgine]

One side claim that it's because Shaq was too quick and strong for the opposition defense.

Another side claim that it's because Shaq got away with a lot of offensive fouls.

So which one is it?

[Rockets(T-mac)]

Yup his entire dominance was due to offensive fouls.

[NugzHeat3]

One side claim that it's because Shaq was too quick and strong for the opposition defense.

Another side claim that it's because Shaq got away with a lot of offensive fouls.

So which one is it?

The first claim is correct.

The second claim has some legitimacy to it but it's cancelled out by the number of times Shaq would get hacked and fouled before he even got the ball. That's what happens when a guy created so much contact. Some bigs at that time were notorious floppers too.

[cteach111]

it was his size, strength, and speed. It wasn't really a skill thing with Shaq that made him dominant.

Just think about it... Shaq is 300+ lbs and strong to overpower any player that dare plays him man-to-man. Teams were FORCED to double, even triple team him because he was just too big, too fast, and too strong. Heck, even in his over-the-hill days, he was still getting double teams because no one could deal with his size, strength, and speed.

That's really all it comes down to... he had no rival physically.

[BlueandGold]

^ What he said, combination of the three but predominately, his size. No one had seen a 7'0 with that upper body as well as the enormous calves to support his weight.

[Stuckey]

size strength athleticism, the speed and footwork to match and damn good passing

[clipps]

It was obviously his quickness and speed. Once Shaq became old and lost his quickness, he wasn't as effective. He would still get double teamed because of his huge frame but without that quickness, all he was able to do was muscle to the basket but wasn't able to elevate anymore like he used to.

[Batz]

His athleticism and body type was the obvious. But his attitude played a HUGE part aswell. He just wanted to be dominant and you could just tell with his body language each and every game and his personality.

[Godzuki]

his size. i swear 3/4's of his baskets in his prime were post throw in's and throw downs. i'm sure someone will come in and pretend it was his athletic ability, but when you're that big over most of the competition(talking height/weight/girth) its not that hard to be that dominant IMO.

its something i'll always take away from Shaq's greatness because imo the game was easier for him than someone like MJ, iin terms of ability to dominate.

[k-SkiLLz]

it was his size, strength, and speed. It wasn't really a skill thing with Shaq that made him dominant.

Just think about it... Shaq is 300+ lbs and strong to overpower any player that dare plays him man-to-man. Teams were FORCED to double, even triple team him because he was just too big, too fast, and too strong. Heck, even in his over-the-hill days, he was still getting double teams because no one could deal with his size, strength, and speed.

That's really all it comes down to... he had no rival physically.

+1 ;)

[clipps]

his size. i swear 3/4's of his baskets in his prime were post throw in's and throw downs. i'm sure someone will come in and pretend it was his athletic ability, but when you're that big over most of the competition(talking height/weight/girth) its not that hard to be that dominant IMO.

its something i'll always take away from Shaq's greatness because imo the game was easier for him than someone like MJ, iin terms of ability to dominate.

Why wasn't he so dominant the past 3 seasons? Going by your logic, Shaq should have been the same dominant force the entire time

[brownmamba00]

He was quick and could dunk on a whole team. And it's not like he had any epic postmoves. Dude would just backup, dropstep and dunk.

Swag+Dominance

[Godzuki]

Why wasn't he so dominant the past 3 seasons? Going by your logic, Shaq should have been the same dominant force the entire time

Shaq can still dominate if you've watched his spot minutes with the Celtics. he'd have double doubles in like 12-15 min intervals. his major issue was he's always getting hurt these days. he's lost a step and slower but his post game is better than it was in his prime. still his size is why teams will still take chances on him since it gives him huge advantages in and of itself offensively and defensively at a crucial position.

[DirtySanchez]

Shaq was bigger on stronger then everyone else.
PLUS he had great foot work and speed during his prime years.
That's what faded after say the 05-06 season.
He also had great touch with his shots and good hands.
These are small fundamental things that he possessed...but when you add that to his physical frame watch out.

I was just watching an old Laker Kings game from the 2001 series last night.
Shaq got position every single time nobody could deny him. And he did that for the whole game. No Center in the NBA at this time comes close to Shaq in his prime. He was that good.

[ChandlerParsons]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eu2NrAqQr4
cause of that