This coach and this system would see prime Shaq score 17pts a game and grab 12 rebs. The game change overall would see Shaqs blocks reduced but his steals increased. He would probably still get defensive player of the year votes. People forget how intimidating he was in the paint on defense.
Do they win, maybe they do? Still Shaq wouldn't be as dominate in this system. The threes and spacing would diminish his impact if they refuse to pass him the ball and just make him a screener (see Vuce in our system and Vuce had a decent shot).
Hehe, I get the sentiment about Shaq being a weird fit in 2026, but we're talking about prime Shaq and suggesting his output would be prime Jonas Valanciunas. He would be that player... 3 inches and 75lbs bigger, with leaping defending and passing ability. And Jonas was legitimately at the 17/12 level for years in the modern NBA.
Personally, I think he might play 30 minutes a night instead of 40, but could put up closer 25 and 15, with 4 assists, couple steals, couple of blocks. A few nights where he'd be like 18-24 from the field for 45 points and 22 rebounds, a few others where he'd foul out and the opposing center would hit six 3PTs. But overall he'd be [dang] good and have insane mismatches in his favor pretty often.
the only thing that might hold back Shaq's dominance is this current NBA is the officiating. do the officials stick with current enforcement of traveling/foot shuffling in the paint which is a bit more stringent than in Shaq's prime? if so, Shaq will get blown for several travels a game, not to mention a few more offensive fouls for bulldozing over people in the paint that had position, so he may have to sit on the bench for more minutes in foul trouble or for TOs control.
Still, he'd manhandle today's centers in the paint and would almost be an automatic bucket when not whistled for a travel or offensive foul.
Topic: If Celtics had Prime Shaq now, are we unstoppable? (Read 1180 times)