Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Petrucci
(younger) Shaq by far... Wilt was only like 270 pounds, and shaq is/was like 330. He would KILL Wilt. Wilt couldnt win a championship either, until he got on that laker "dream team"... Wilt would be nothing more than all right in todays game. And about that 100 point game: How come nobody ever argue that he jagged up 63 shots and only hit about 50% of those, and the going crazy that kobe shot 46. I guess i´m saying that Wilt was great for his time, but shaq is a much better player and has a superior body...
|
Wrong.
You are looking at Wilt's weight when he was a rookie. During his Laker's tenure he was around 300. If you want to compare early in their careers than Shaq was 301 lbs. In fact I'm looking at his rookie card right now to reference that listed weight.
Wilt couldn't win a championship because he had to face Russell's Celtics (who had arguably the most dominant reign in basketball history during his tenure).
I don't see how Shaq would kill Wilt. I don't think Wilt could stop Shaq but I don't think Shaq could stop Wilt either. Defensively Wilt is superior. Shaq is more bulky.
I still can't believe we are also still arguing competition. Wilt faced more HOF centers than Shaq. I don't care how big a center is...is someone actually going to dare to say that Shawn Bradley is better than Willis Reed? Is Yao Ming and Rik Smits suddenly better than Walt Bellamy and Nate Thurmond? Is Zo better than Russell? Is Ben Wallace that much better than Wes Unseld? Yes during Wilt's 50.4 ppg season the centers he faced in the league were less than stellar but people seem to super impose the competition he faced in that season and extend it to the rest of his career. During Wilt's latter part of his career and even his latter MVP years (when he could have still easily scored 30+ ppg) Wilt faced some of the best centers in history. Let's also not forget that because there were less teams back then Wilt faced top competition more where as during Shaq's MVP year he only faced Zo what twice? Plus if people want to complain about size what about the best centers Shaq faced the last several years? Big Ben is what 6'9? Mourning is what 6'10? Wow Mourning's listed height is one inch taller than Russell!
Size doesn't automatically equal talent and better competition. Watching a giant like Podkolzine should tell us that.
I am sure if Shaq played in Wilt's era he would be unquestionably dominant. I am also sure if Wilt played today he would also be unquestionably dominant. He probably won't average 50-25 but 30-14 is very plausible. As plausible as Shaq averaing 50-25 in Wilt's era.