Is Shaq really a Hall of Fame 'basketballer'?

[Fan from VT]

Well, if Shaq was short, wasn't athletic, never adapted and still played like he was 7'2" 300+lbs when in truth, he was 5'2" and 300+lbs, he probably wouldn't make it into the HoF. Or the NBA.

Then again, a 5 foot version of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, stripped of all athleticism and footwork, probably wouldn't make it in the NBA either, even if he knew how to shoot the sky hook.

Forget 5'2. If Shaq was 6'7 he would never make it into the NBA.

I bet he'd make the NBA. He would at least be as good as Danny Fortson, right?

At 6'7 he'd probably be slightly better than Glen Davis.

[fairweatherfan]

If Isaiah Thomas was 8 feet tall, he'd probably have crippling joint and circulation problems.

[Kuberski33]

Shaq in his prime was devastating.  Though I always appreciated Bill Russell's take on him.  He said 'the question to ask isn't how would I deal with Shaq - it's how would Shaq deal with me?'.

[Ed Hollison]

If you strip me of my zits, baldness and bodyfat I am actually decent looking

[moiso]

Well, if Shaq was short, wasn't athletic, never adapted and still played like he was 7'2" 300+lbs when in truth, he was 5'2" and 300+lbs, he probably wouldn't make it into the HoF. Or the NBA.

Then again, a 5 foot version of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, stripped of all athleticism and footwork, probably wouldn't make it in the NBA either, even if he knew how to shoot the sky hook.

Forget 5'2. If Shaq was 6'7 he would never make it into the NBA.

I bet he'd make the NBA. He would at least be as good as Danny Fortson, right?

Good comp.  I was trying to think of a guy somewhere in between Brandon Hunter and Charles Barkley.  That's Fortson.  But the original post asks us to take away Shaq's size AND strength.  Barkley and Fortson were beasts.  Glen Davis also.

[moiso]

If Isaiah Thomas was 8 feet tall, he'd probably have crippling joint and circulation problems.

Haha, and dead from Marfan syndrome complications.

[hpantazo]

If Isaiah Thomas was 8 feet tall, he'd probably have crippling joint and circulation problems.

So he would basically be Joel Embiid?

[GreenFaith1819]

Undoubtedly YES.

Don't let the Size, Powah or dunks fool you.

Shaquille O'Neal was the Real Deal.

He definitely had skills...was a good passer, good shot-blocker, had a soft touch around the basket when he had to.

Unfortunately he's remember more for his demoralizing dunks but Shaq had serious skills.

LOVED him in Green. THANKS BIG SHAMROCK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P_zJ88iV30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm4xJClo2VQ

[KG Living Legend]

Undoubtedly YES.

Don't let the Size, Powah or dunks fool you.

Shaquille O'Neal was the Real Deal.

He definitely had skills...was a good passer, good shot-blocker, had a soft touch around the basket when he had to.

Unfortunately he's remember more for his demoralizing dunks but Shaq had serious skills.

LOVED him in Green. THANKS BIG SHAMROCK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P_zJ88iV30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm4xJClo2VQ

 Great post Green Faith. Shaq was literally 1 in ten Billion.

[rickyfan3.0...]

Um yes.

[mctyson]

This is a ridiculous thread

[HomerSapien]

To me, Shaq was the real "Unicorn" player.  Has their ever been a comp for him before or since?  He was ENORMOUS, but moved with speed and agility that are more like a high end power forward such as a Karl Malone.

To separate Shaq from the truly unique physical aberration that he is makes no sense.

[A Future of Stevens]

Yes.

[Roy H.]

To me, Shaq was the real "Unicorn" player.  Has their ever been a comp for him before or since?  He was ENORMOUS, but moved with speed and agility that are more like a high end power forward such as a Karl Malone.

To separate Shaq from the truly unique physical aberration that he is makes no sense.

Wilt had the same combination of size, strength and athleticism.

[Donoghus]

To me, Shaq was the real "Unicorn" player.  Has their ever been a comp for him before or since?  He was ENORMOUS, but moved with speed and agility that are more like a high end power forward such as a Karl Malone.

To separate Shaq from the truly unique physical aberration that he is makes no sense.

Wilt had the same combination of size, strength and athleticism.

Wilt has to be up there as one of the most gifted athletes ever.  Whole other level.