Kolek planning to go pro
I forgot where I read it recently, but if Shaq was 20 years old, and coming into the NBA today, his career would be drastically different, and probably no where near as valuable as he was when he came into the league. He'd obviously have value as a rim protector and rebounder, but tough to imagine him being the focal point of an offense in today's NBA. For as much as Shaq would get intentionally fouled to go to the line during his career, the analytics today would keep him off the floor for most tight late game situations.
Totally disagree with you on this. 20 year old Shaq was not the same as 30 year old Shaq. 20 year old Shaq was a freak athlete for his size who could get out and run. For as much as Capella is going to be an absolute stud and was, in my opinion, the best player on the Rockets in game 7, 20 year old Shaq in today's NBA would've been a much better version of him. 20 year old Shaq would've been an absolute terror in the pick and roll.
Capella is 6'10'', 240ish, Shaq is 7'1'', and measured 303 lbs at the combine, I have a tough time putting him and Capella in a comp. I don't disagree that young Shaq was way more athletic at 20 than 30 year old Shaq, and I didn't say he'd be a bust or anything, but I don't know what offense today is going to feed Shaq in the post every other possession. I'm not trying to comp AD to Shaq here, but you have to defend AD on the perimeter, there's zero threat of that with Shaq.
Why would Kukoc get in any more. He has been eligible for a long time, and hasn't even sniffed getting in. Every year, more qualified people become eligible. He doesn't have the stats, didn't have the impact, and has no reason making the HOF.
I'm fairly confident a mediocre NBA coach would find a way to take advantage of Shaq's skillset, regardless of the era. If anything, minus the likes of Mourning, Robinson, Ewing and Olajuwon in today's NBA, Shaq arguably would be more dominant than ever.I suppose it's a chicken-egg argument, but I tend to think the style of ball being played today is more a reflection of the lack of dominant centers than it is coaches who don't want or can't figure out how to use a dominant post presence. Does that fact that DeAndre Ayton, Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter - traditional centers with little to no perimeter games - are projected top 7-8 picks in next month's draft change your thinking here at all?
I still think Shaq is a physical force and puts up numbers, all I was saying is the NBA is in a different era now, and I think both Shaq and the league would adjust to him differently today. I’m fine being incorrect here, I’m not trying to disrespect Shaq either, I just think he probably benefited a bit from being a 90’s/early 00’s guy, instead of the last 5 years. If it’s a dumb argument, I can respect what you guys are countering with.
Shaq?Dude is funny but him and Pippen have been going at it for years. Anyone who thinks that Kukoc is better that Pippen should automatically be placed in an asylum and no longer allowed to express their views on anything.
Of course, and all Bulls fans know this. That was as much a fun insert as others because the two have gone at it for a long time.I don't know if Kukoc will make it, but he has a case. Sam Smith isn't some 25 year old kid with no NBA journalistic bona fides. I'm biased as behind Jordan, Toni is my favorite Bull all time slightly edging Bob Love, Normy and Artis. He was the consummate team player and gave up stats to win. A joy to watch. Glad he was honored by FIBA, he's considered a candidate for the Naismith and touted by a few strong supporters in that regard. Wonderful career. Some of you act as if he was a bit player, which is koo koo.
Basketball Reference does not even list Toni Kukoc as one of the 250 most likely people to be inducted into the HOF. Their list includes players who they have as having a 1.19% chance of making it to the HOF. It includes players like Michael Finley and Derek Fischer.Considering him a bit player might be “koo koo” but so is considering him a HOF teammate of MJ’s because he is in the FIBA HOF. The guy was far worse for the Bulls than Love and Kyrie were for the Cavs and to glorify Kukoc as a HOFer while dismissing Kyrie’s and Love’s chances of being HOFers is beyond absurd.And what’s worse is saying if LBJ got to play alongside “3” (it’s 2, but whatever) HOFers he’d also be 6-0 in Finals when LBJ did get to play alongside 3 (legitimate) HOFers and went 2-2 in NBA Finals next to them.Koo koo indeed.
Who's everyone got?I say Warriors in 5.
Jordan and LbJ are both at the top of the GOAT list. You can argue either position all day to no avail. GS in 5.
He sacrificed numbers for his team, to win. Spent 8 years playing in Europe. Fortunately FIBA recognized this and inducted him.
Warriors in 3.
Cavs in 6
In the 1990s, I didn't follow any team closer than the Bulls. I loved Jordan and really appreciated Kukoc. But no way was he close to a Hall of Famer. Not close. You don't get it for what you don't do (such as sacrificing numbers) you get in for what you do.He was a nice complimentary player. But he was never an all-star, much less a Hall of Famer.