Best Lakers Center, Shaq or KAJ?

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

I'm going with KAJ.

But as a fanbase, we have had Shaq, Wilt, Pau, et. al., and now AD. Who do you rate as the best ever? I think it's safe to go with a poll of just Shaq/KAJ, though the others were pretty awesome too (and I'm not including Mikan in the poll). Wilt was too old by the time he joined us, Pau/AD are combo bigs but (not yet for AD) not in the same league as Shaq/KAJ.
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yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

If you had a prime Kobe (however defined), and you could add prime Shaq or KAJ with Kobe, who would you choose?
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Four Decade Bandwagon · Star Player Joined: 18 Jul 2014 Posts: 8149

No question for me. KAJ

He played in a different era where Centers were coveted and he dominated.

Incredibly skilled player I think many just remember the end of his career.

During his prime in the decade of the 70s he put up some amazing numbers.

During those years he was 42mpg/28pts/15reb/ 4.5 ast/ 3.5+per game. (Did not keep this stat until his 5thyear). MVP six times and annually All NBA and All Defensive Teams. And six times an NBA Champion. (3x in prime/3x as a critical complimentary player)

Love Shaq for his contributions and charisma but KAJ is arguably GOAT!

danzag · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:38 pm Post subject:

KAJ. He is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

defense · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 39445

Kobe and Kareem's BBIQ would be too much

Mike@LG · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:48 pm Post subject:

Imagine KAJ working the high post, giving Kobe just that much more space opposite side.

You can basically run them opposites sides along the baseline too, since the hook shot had range.
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Runway8 · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:54 pm Post subject:

Kareem turned 23 before his rookie year even ended with the Bucks. He would be an old rookie with no upside today. LOL! Imagine the stats he could pile on if he could have started the NBA at 19.

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

LakersRGolden · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 2:44 pm Post subject:

It feels like Shaq was a product of the NBA's rules / style at the time and KAJ's game would translate better to before 1980 and after 2005.

We'll get a better view of this when we see the decisions the NBA makes with Zion about judgment / grey area calls.

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

KAJ and Kobe’s longevity. Crazy.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

D-Shiznit · Star Player Joined: 18 Feb 2014 Posts: 1735

Shaq is my favourite player in NBA history, but Cap is the GOAT.

GOODRICH25 · Star Player Joined: 17 Jun 2017 Posts: 3366

x75274 · Starting Rotation Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Posts: 674

No way in hell would I choose Lakers KAJ over Big Diesel. Now if I could get the Bucks version, now we are talking. This isnt to disrespect KAJ as even an old KAJ had no problems getting numbers and going toe to toe and even outplaying a young stud in Olajuwon in head to head matchups....only Moses Malone seemed to give KAJ any sort of real trouble. If Big Diesel ever got over his "cool factor" and shot free throws underhanded in the manner taught by Rick Barry (not just chucking with bad form granny style - there is a method to this) and could get his % to 70%, we might be talking the GOAT here and no version of KAJ would touch Shaquille O'Neal

jewelsongs · Rookie Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 22

I picked Kareem, because he had the best Lakers career. Wilt was better than either of them, but only played for the Lakers at the end of his career.