shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

[jensenst]

i know alot of you guys are going to flame me for saying this but shaq is not a top ten player anymore in the nba.

the heat will regret signing him to that long-term deal this past offseason.

the guy just doesn't have it anymore.

he doesn't have an impact on the game as he did in past year's.

teams don't fear shaq anymore as they once did.

sorry shaq fans his time to retire is just around the corner.

[Vince]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

There is no doubt he's not a top 10 NBA player anymore. Anyone who says that is just kidding themselves. However, he's still the best Center in the league, although there are guys who I(my personal opinion) wouldn't trade to get Shaq.(Brad Miller, Z etc.)

[Jimplication]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

As long as Shaq has his body weight to throw around, he will continue to serve the limited, but effective, role he does in the NBA.

[Mofasa]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

I agree.

Me personally dont like players that coast through the reg. season to turn it on in the playoffs. Shaq is out of shape and is basically using the regular season to get fit. But how many more years can he do this?

His numbers are not BAD but they arnt shaq numbers, they arnt woth 20 mill a year IMO. And it remains to be seen if he can play atleast 35 minutes a game anymore without a drop in his play. cause thats the only way the heat have a chance reaching the finals.

He can still dominate a playoff series (if he is healthy) but eventually he is going to fall and not get back up. And its sad.

It only took two years but Dr. Buss is already looking like a genuis. The Heat and the Lakers have basically switched personas. La is a young (second youngest ) up and coming team while the heat look like the 2003 lakers with more depth.

[dieselboy]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Come playoff time, there isn't many other big guys I would rather have.

[23]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Shaq is the 1st center that would be taken on any team

Sometimes you CAN help you team besides score 60 points a game

I know people dont realize that but its truth.

There is a reason a 50% shaq is still held in high regard

[dieselboy]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Shaq is the 1st center that would be taken on any team

Sometimes you CAN help you team besides score 60 points a game

I know people dont realize that but its truth.

There is a reason a 50% shaq is still held in high regard

Agreed.

[Mofasa]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Shaq is the 1st center that would be taken on any team
Sometimes you CAN help you team besides score 60 points a game
I know people dont realize that but its truth.
There is a reason a 50% shaq is still held in high regard

Good one. But the heat were on there way to winning their last game until shaq was put back in.

This is coming form a fan of shaq since he was a rookieup until he left LA. He doesnt play well hurt he never did and as he has gotten older it has gotten worst. Riles is cutting down his minutes but the should be more concerned with getting him healed up for the playoffs cause he will give detriot fits if he is healthy

[23]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Im not understanding why there is an emphasis on Shaq's age and injury as if it would never happen to anyone else.

Unless there is a thing of trying to make yourself feel better about what Jerry Buss did, (not you Mo, in general) Shaq is human like everyone else, and has to get old or die, either one.

I remember greats like Dream and guys like Ewing looking like pure trash at this stage of their careers

[driddy]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

The best thing Shaq has done was to take less money than he initially demanded in LA. He probably knew he was puttering towards the finish line and needs as much around him as possible. But he is not a top ten player, which speaks to how weak the position has become. Nowadays, the PF is the key position in the paint with all the talent playing that position. Will Shaq start on this year's eastern team? Or does Big Ben draw that position?

[23]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

The C position was weak when LA was winning titles.

Beyond Yao, there arent very many skilled C left. Dampier has been sat down by the Mavs for not being very servicable.

I thought that was funny considering how he bragged about being the 2nd best center in the L.

[Pointguard]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

Shaq definately isnt a top player in this league but hes can be dominate at times. His defense has definately dropped off.

[billmatic]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

I think Big Z is as good as Yao is, but if I want to win a title this year, I'd take Shaq befor either of them.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

jerry buss and genuis in the same sentence: yikes. same goes for mitch.

buss hasn't done anything productive since the 80's, west was the mastermind behind the shaq move.

like i've said plenty before: why not just let shaq walk as a free agent? free up cap space and reel in a big name. this current lakers team is not "up and coming" unless they can add at least an odom-caliber player this off season to go along with the odom/kobe combo.

[Mofasa]

Re: shaq is not a top player in the nba anymore

^I disagree but thats another thread
and regarding buss the key word was looking..lol

ike i've said plenty before: why not just let shaq walk as a free agent?

thats a whole other story, i think everyone taught what we got back was not fair value. hell we didnt even get a sure fire all star. however they also had to get kobe to resign cause he was going to bolt.
So that free agency thing was impossible.