Originally posted by Bouboumaster
Lol, Shaquille O'neal.He's not a force in attack, but he's the best defenser of all time. MJ wouldn't be able to pass through his 7'4" and his 340 lbs. On the other side, O'neal just have to run on straight line, and jump.
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. 😬