Shaq or Magic

[centrelink]

Which player would you rather have on your team.

[8collector34]

You kidding or what? I would take Shaq over MJ.

[Chick Hearn]

This is a tough one, but I'm going to say Magic. He played all 5 positions and won the Finals MVP as a rookie.

[drobfan8]

Wow, I would take Magic any day of the week.

He was incredible.

[rdleifriaf]

Magic.

[bruce76]

For the purposes of answering the question. I would say Shaq. For this very reason......it would be easier to find a player like magic for your team to pair with Shaq than the other way around. At the height of their powers Shaq was unstoppable. He was automatic. More players out there to choose from that were like magic.

[WE_GOT_THAT_TOO]

Tough one...right off the bat, Magic. But as Bruce said, when you think about it, Shaq is irreplaceable. Sure, Magic is more than amazing and one of the best to play the game all around. But there are other players that could be 70% of Magic. Not sure if there is anyone that can get close to 70% of Shaq. His presence in the paint and his size just can't be found.

[rats60]

Magic by a lot. There was no player like Magic. The closest would be Bill Russell. He was the ultimate team player. Magic made everyone on the team better.

As far as who could replace Shaq, Hakeem dominated him head to head. Duncan was better. Then you got the Old school guys, Wilt, Russell and Kareem.

[paulgeorge13]

Why are we choosing between a guard and a center? This is a weird question to answer.

[Ottomatic]

Tough. When you think about the group of guys right behind the MJ/Lebron tier these are two of the first guys I think of. It's a toss up IMO.

[dasiegel]

I think it's Magic by a decent amount. More all around value and irreplaceable leadership. If Shaq had Magic's leadership and focus he probably has 7 rings.

[Sanborn]

Originally Posted by paulgeorge13

Why are we choosing between a guard and a center? This is a weird question to answer.

This.

I would prefer Shaq for the comedic value, Magic for the tail!

[BigZigBoom]

BJ Armstrong

[WHyFLy]

This is hard to answer because both played different positions. It is like asking who was better?... To answer, I'd have to say Magic Johnson. The guy absolutely dominated the PG position, essentially playing all 5 positions as one. Playing a PG who was not only stronger and bigger than any other PG, but could run the floor, shoot, pass, and move, you cannot find anyone better than him.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by dasiegel

I think it's Magic by a decent amount. More all around value and irreplaceable leadership. If Shaq had Magic's leadership and focus he probably has 7 rings.

Agreed.

Plus, Shaq wasn't even the best player at his position. I'd take Russell, KAJ and Hakeem over him.

I also can't remember Magic being bailed out by the refs as much as Shaq's Lakers were.

D. Fish 0.4 sec shot that should never have counted.
Por vs LA where the refs literally gave LA every call to erase that deficit.
Sac vs LA where it was blatant cheating.

[ThirtyPercent]

Shaq.

[WHyFLy]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Agreed.

Plus, Shaq wasn't even the best player at his position. I'd take Russell, KAJ and Hakeem over him.

I also can't remember Magic being bailed out by the refs as much as Shaq's Lakers were.

D. Fish 0.4 sec shot that should never have counted.
Por vs LA where the refs literally gave LA every call to erase that deficit.
Sac vs LA where it was blatant cheating.

Regardless of being a Hawks fan, that Sac vs LA game was absolute worse game I've ever watched in my life. Not only were players like Bibby and Webber robbed of a finals opportunity, the integrity of the game itself was shot.

[WE_GOT_THAT_TOO]

LOL SMH

There's so many of these examples for every team/player. This is just pointless info.

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Agreed.

Plus, Shaq wasn't even the best player at his position. I'd take Russell, KAJ and Hakeem over him.

I also can't remember Magic being bailed out by the refs as much as Shaq's Lakers were.

D. Fish 0.4 sec shot that should never have counted.
Por vs LA where the refs literally gave LA every call to erase that deficit.
Sac vs LA where it was blatant cheating.

[6celtics33]

Magic by a wide margin

High school, college, and NBA title by the time he was 20 culminating in the greatest finals performance of all time as a rookie.

If Lebron lost a teammate like Kareem everyone would say it's not his fault and he should be MVP anyway because of his stats.

Magic went out and told his team not to worry and went 42 15 and 7 playing all 5 positions.

Shaq was an amazing rapper though but not even the best or second or third best at his position

[TWard]

Magic. Yeah, Shaq was great but Magic was just a great all-around player. Sure, Shaq can dunk it a few times, grab some rebounds and get you a double-double, but Magic could score, pass the rock, rebound and play stellar defense... Plus free throw shooting

Magic could also play all 5 positions and guard all 5 spots. Shaq obviously couldn't do that. Although Shaq is basically a one-of-a-kind player and somewhat irreplaceable, I'd still take Magic 10 times outta 10.


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[Norcalcardz]

Magic

[JasonM32]

Magic.

All he does is win. Versatile. Tremendous leader. Actually makes his teammates better. Crazy competitor. His passing inspires his teammates to move the ball and be unselfish. Best game manager ever. Controls the tempo, keeps everyone involved. Won at every level. Was in the NBA Finals 9 out of his 12 full years in the NBA.

Shaq's size, talent and athleticism could have made him the GOAT but unfortunately his motivation waned. Burned bridges everywhere he went. Didn't want to stay in shape. Huge ego.

I love both of these guys and you'd excel with either of them. That said, I'd still prefer to have Earvin Johnson.

[Nyfancam01]

Damn this is VERY tough to choose...

I'd probably go with MAGIC though. I do think Shaq is the best and most dominant big man to ever play the game (could have been better IMO) but I think Magic is one of the best basketball players to ever exist. Period. And if I'm starting a team I think i'd want Magic holding the rock coming down court to set up our plays.

[ccunanan40]

Shaq....

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by WE_GOT_THAT_TOO

LOL SMH

There's so many of these examples for every team/player. This is just pointless info.

LOL SMH, got an opinion of your own to add or just trolling my post?

The rigging of games for Shaqs Lakers clearly isn't the crux of my decision, but as a Spurs fan I remember the BS Shaq and Kobe got away with in those days, hell I don't remember anyone calling my Spurs lucky for some BS ref crap.