For all the Anti-Shaq clan out there...

I am aware of the rules but it doesn't seem true what you are saying, based on the Sac. and NJ series mostly.


D.

I don't think Vlade running towards Shaq and then flopping constitutes establishing position.

"I don't deserve to have a 'D' in my name" Dirk?


George "I can finish .500 with the chalk in the weakest conference ever" Karl?


OK, now you're just being silly.

Man, you are tremendous at taking words out of context...I mean that in the nicest possible way.


I didn't say that Karl was the greatest coach since Auerback (or Jackson, as some think). But he is a GREAT defensive minded coach, and even got Robinson playing some D while they were contending. That is an AMAZING feat, that you really shouldn't downplay.


Anybody with that size, atheleticism, and youth can learn how to play at least mediocre defense. I can't believe that you are denying this.


Josh

You planning on addressing the times when he does have position established? This may not be 100% of the time, but 60% is a fair estimate.


You planning on addressing the hooking? That is his biggest crime.


You planning on addressing the over-the-back on a huge percentage of his rebounds?


Or do you just want to glaze over the facts? I don't mean that as an insult. I mean, merely, to imply that I assume you are a Lakers fan.


Josh

I think the fact that I've always been a laker fan has already been established by my posts on this and similar subjects. I also think that it happens to Shaq as much as it happens by him. You don't notice the times he gets no-called because he's so big, but, if you really want to play fair, both situations should be called. Just because Shaq doesn't go flying doesn't mean he wasn't fouled.

Shaq isn't the only guy walking.. Iverson and Carter et al take about a hundred steps on their drives to the hoop, and then when a big man taps them they throw their arms up in the air like they've been shot..


Shaq does break the rules, no question about it, but so do the guys guarding him, as well as many other players in the league..


The guy is the most amazing big man in a long time, and big men are part of the game just like huge linemen are part of football..


Quit your whining and get a clue

Anybody who knows a lick about defense knows that, as you say, it's mostly about athleticism..


The same person will also know that most of the good defensive players have been around at least five years, and simply stunk at D their first few seasons comparitively..


We'll have to wait and see if Karl is the coach people think he is because I don't think their is a man alive that can contain the egos on the Bucs..

Shaq does hook, that is obvious, but I think he gets smoked just as much.. In the NJ series especially, he had Collins arms in his face while his back was to him the whole time.. Same deal with Macullough.. If we are going to call the rules here to a tee then we need to do it both ways..


As for over the back on a huge percentage of his rebounds, come on.. Are you talking offensive? I see Shaq go over the back once or twice a game tops.. True, he should not get away with it, but it is hardly game changing..


By simply attacking Shaq's size and strength, are you saying that strength should be removed from the game?? It seems that way..


The guys on the PGA tour all had to start lifting when Tiger showed up, perhaps it's time for guys like Vlade and Bradley to start hitting the weights..

I don't like Shaq but the arguments in this article are insane.


Why should he shoot 3's?


His assist to turnover ratio is super misleading. He is double or tripled teamed and his pass out of the post is not designed to get an open shot. If it were like Hockey, he would get the secondary assist. His pass from the post sets up the second pass to the weak side as the defense shifts to the strong side.


Why the hell does he have to play defense 15' from the basket in open space? He should be playing other centers who have woeful shooting %'s from the foul line or further.


Who is going to steal the ball from and why? He doesn't have to deny the entry pass. On the block, your not going to torch him one on one and why pick up stupid fouls reaching in.


He is not 6'1. If he were, he would have developed other skills. I've seen Shaq lead the fast break at 7'2. He has soft hands and does have good footwork. That has changed since his foot and toe injuries though.


His game is what it is because that is what he does well. Sure he commits offensive fouls but they are not called so really there is no foul. When they start calling the offensive, he'll change his game again and adapt.


Two years ago against Portland, he played against an aging A. Sabonis. He wasn't able to push him around down low so he started shooting and making his jump hooks etc. He adapted.