Forgive me for coming off antagonistic, but Shaq I still don't think has a chance. I feel this way about most centers actually, except perhaps Hakeem and the Admiral, who were very athletic mobile centers.
Anyhow, back to the point, Shaq wouldn't defend Jordan at the top of the key. At the first moment the ball is checked, Jordan is around him before Shaq can blink. And if Shaq chooses to step back, waiting for a rebound, and let Jordan have the shot, he is still screwed though I think his chances are better this way.
When Shaq has the ball this could be interesting.....
Shaq would try to back him in. Because if he faces up, the ball is stolen. And he doens't have an outside shot to save his life so he can't face up. This reduces it to a game within the game. Jordan wouldn't let Shaq back him in. Instead, he'd give the ground, and try to come around (either way) forcing Shaq to turn and face the basket and dribble. This is where Shaq is vulnerable. Shaq would know this too so he may decide to spot up for a 5-8 foot floater.
It'd be interesting. But, either way it's easier for Jordan to defend Shaq than the other way around. Thus, I give the odds to Jordan in a very competitive game EVERY time, if only for Shaq's girth and size.
Ok for fairness let's just list only perimeter players. Big men shouldnt count since it's a physical mismatch. You give a great big man the ball once and he'll keep posting Jordan until he wins. Anyway, Only perimeter player that has a chance is Kobe. If Lebron can develop some defense and if Wade can develop a jumper and better defense they might have a chance. I did not add TMac because he just does not have enough d to contain Jordan. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson do not have the athleticism to match with Jordan one on one. Kobe vs Jordan is as good as it gets. Whether you want to agree or not Kobe is a better offensive player. He has better range. Jordan was most effective from the free throw line down. Kobe has range up until the three point line. Kobe is also slightly bigger, so he is goin to be stronger. What Jordan has is brains and better d. In all honesty, one on one is a toss up. If this was a team game Jordan would beat Kobe because he's the smarter player.
I love Magic, and the Lakers are my favorite sports franchise but even I know Magic does not have a chance. Jordan's the better individual player. Magic is the best at getting his teammates to play on a whole new level. Jordan's just too quick for Magic to handle on a one on one game. And in terms of big men, you just cant compare them. Let's take for example a prime Shaq. A prime Shaq was freakishly quick for his size, not to mention he was the strongest player physically to play the game. There's just no way for Jordan to guard him one on one. On the other hand, all it takes is for Shaq to rebound one missed jumper from Jordan, then he'll post it up all day.
See, I think Magic could give MJ fits with his heights and ball handling. Remember in Jordan's first NBA finals? The Bulls had Mikey covering Magic and MJ got 3 quick fouls and had to sit, and then the Pipster was on him. Oblviously, Magic could not guard Jordan one on one.
Yes, I could see what you said below about Shaq guarding MJ, but would it go like that is the question? And how far of a jumper are we talking about for MJ? There's no way he would be shooting from 15 ft out or more? Jordan is deadly from mid range too, no?
Why would MJ shoot from further out (than 15ft) when he could just merely dribble around him for an easy bucket? MJ knows that Shaq knows this too, no?
They're not goin to call fouls on a one on one game. Jordan, like I said is too athletic for Johnson. Plus Magic isnt a great one on one scorer overall, but he's clutch and can make them when it counts. Jordan, we all know is a greater individual scorer. On the MJ vs Shaq scenario, it only takes one missed jumper and it's all over. Shaq on the other hand, is automatic. He'll keep backing up Jordan for the points. There's nothing Jordan can do.
Currently Kobe Bryant is practically Michael Jordan's equal. Each has similarities and they play the exact shockingly same way. Kobe is a better shooter and ball handler. Michael has more explosiveness and is a sightly better defender. If they're not equals MJ is Kobe's slight superior. To beat Jordan 1 on 1 with guards. Kobe is the perfect guy. He's his essential equal.
Beating Jordan one on one would be very tough since he's good at creating his own shot. Chamberlain definitely could, but if we don't include guys who are physical nightmares for him, I would say that Kobe Bryant, Oscar Robertson, Dr. J, Dominique Wilkins, and Larry Bird could beat him, although none of them are beating him every single time.
Only Darth Kobe has the footspeed, lateral movement, strength, quickness, overall athleticism, ego and skill to beat him.
Bernard King and Michael Ray Richardson would both give him a good game though.
__________________ I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species that I realized you aren't actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with its surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply, and multiply until every natural resource is consumed. And the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we...are the cure.
Most big men could. It's comparing apples and oranges. They'd just back him down and lay it in. If he could hit his 3's, he'd win. Otherwise not.
Very few little men could. I forget who it was that was interviewed after he actually played Jordan 1-on-1, but it was one of the best players in the league at the time. Not only did he lose, but Jordan stomped him. He was the complete package...offense and defense. In this format, only size could hope to beat him.
Ballplayers will tell you the exact opposite. Mike is so much quicker than a big man that eventually he'd reach-around and steal the rock. They'd never see it again.
Little guys actually have a better chance because they would match or exceed his quickness and footspeed. Even though he'd be able to back down and/or shoot over them, guys like Isiah and A.I. would give him fits.
__________________ I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species that I realized you aren't actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with its surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply, and multiply until every natural resource is consumed. And the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we...are the cure.
KMC Community Forums
Mar 20th, 2007 05:35 PM
