Good points and well thought out.

Wrong,

You take Jordan.

You make some accusations, but they are unproven, and in fact totally wrong.

"I take Shaq. Shaq has taken 3 different teams to the finals. I am a Kobe fan. I was always a Jordan fan. But you can shut either of the two down if you can dedicate your resources to doing it."

Jordan Rules and triple teams, while possibly may have slowed him down, never stopped him, and made for lots o easy layups by the other players.

You can't shut a guy like Shaq down. He is the most dominant player of all time.

He is an ape, but Bulls always shut him down, and in fact they never took the Bulls and Jordan down.

Shaq never beat Jordan,
Jordan makes all other playerss on the team better
Shaq can make the players on his team worse, by being a ball hog.

Shaq can't make a free throw, hack a shaq was far more effective
strategy then the jordan rules.


But moreso, if you put a Jordan on your team, your team will NOT suck


Bulling basketball and ball hogging never won championships, the heart sould and dedication of the competiveness between the line playing of Jordan will always win championships.

Winning championships on 3 teams means nothing, teams are built around them when the cash is there and the lame free agency trade of today makes it possible for everyone to raise their hand and say I WANT A RING

Wining it on the same team 5 straight years.... Now thats a story of a legend

Shaq was not in his prime against the Bulls.

That's a tough question.

The key is that the rest of the team is terrible, then I go with Shaq hands down.

If the team is a finals contender, I'd go with Jordan.

I'd take Jordan anytime ... "hack a shaq" always works coz he can't make the freethrows ... he can't score without anyone passing the ball to him ... Jordan has the most amazing crucial game highlights if you want to make noise in the playoffs..

Jordan won defensive player of the year 1988 also 9 time all defensive first team most of those years he also won the scoring title he was the most complete basketball player ever there will never be anyone even close A.I is the only offensive player to even test his numbers and no guard is even in the same argument defensively

Shaq isn't even the best center of all time

Jordan's prime lasted longer than Shaq's. :2 cents:

Knowing what we know now you have to take Jordan. But if you didn't know anything about either of the two and you were drafting you would take Shaq as it's easier to evaluate potential in a big man than an off ball guard.

BTW two big men were selected before Jordan in his draft class. One of them was dominate and you could build a team around.

Shaq isn't even the best center of all time[/QUOTE]

BINGO!!!

Go with the big man always. Another reason why Oden should be #1 over Durant...especially if the Celtics get the pick.

I'd take Jordan and then go to Eastern Europe and get some big strong white boys to stand in the paint and take fouls.

100 percent agreement on that statement.

I remember when Jordan was sick with the flu and had to be carried off the court...He was still scoring on muthafuckas and leading them through the playoffs...

Shaq would be on the bench with a double breasted suit on if he got a runny nose...The only thing Shaq has is body mass...Jordan had Skill, Attitude, Defense, and Leadership abilities.

Oh, and Jordan was winning even when they didn't even HAVE a center.

Now if you said Wilt Chamberlain or Jabbar, you have an argument..but even still I'd pick Jordan.

Agreed.

And I still choose Shaq.

He should have flip flopped the statement to be accurate. On a terrible team, all star centers have struggled. On teams with a decent point guard and above average outside shooting, dominant centers have thrived because they get the ball in position and teams can't double as much. Terrible teams need players who can create their own shot, hence Jordan. Also, Shaq has greatly underachieved his whole career in the block shot and rebound categories, and certainly has never been regarded as a dominant defensive player.

Jordan got shut down? when?

I take #23 anytime

It all comes down to this...

Do you build your team around the greatest player to ever play the game, who has always hit game winning shots, or...

Build your team around a dominant center who will be fouled at "cruntch" time and will only make 1/2 free throws.

Jordan is the answer

jordan

:)

Jordan in a heartbeat

Hey WegCory, you seem knowledgeable about the NBA, come playoff time you wanna bet some $$ on playoff series :P

I know the NBA like the back of my hand =X

Patrick Ewing was a great center that didn't win a championship. I think he is by far the best center to not win a championship. The list for guards can go on forever.

But the question comes up, WHY didn't Ewing win any championships? Same reason Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and many others - Jordan.

In their prime I would take Jordan. But in their first few years I would take Shaq. Shaq had a bigger impact on the Magic as a rookie then Jordan did with the Bulls. I bet even Shaw would take Jordan in his prime over himself.:2 cents:

Great question man, I love debating NBA dream match ups.

After considering both men's strengths I would have to go with Jordan.

Shaq demands double teams. So does Jordan.

Shaq plugs up the middle. Jordan won several All D first team honors.

Shaq scored 30 pts a game. So did Jordan.

Shaq makes his teamates good. Jordan makes them better.

Aside from being an amazing player himself, Jordan was the ultimate hardwood general. He could inspire his teamates to play better and made heros of NBA Joes such like John Paxson, Horace Grant, Luc Longley etc (cmon, where would they be without Michael... really.)

When Jordan wasnt in the mix the Bulls struggled. Miserably. When he was with the Bulls, they broke NBA records.

Jordan has that 1 advantage over Shaq and it is enough for me to take Jordan first.

- Bas

The question involves one season, not building a team : )

i'd take Jordan.

the team who can shut him down was bad boys pistons and he came with a way to beat them, at his prime.

without any good supporting role, shaq can't win either

his free throws is his worst enemies...

yes, center can change the game, he is the most dominant player ever, but to win games,.. i still think i'd take jordan...

it's the cempetitive drive, determination, etc etc, that put MJ the best player there is.

in a joking manner..

can't i take Greg Ostertag?

You know what i mean :)

You guys are also forgetting that Jordan stayed with a team longer than Shaq does. Really if you know what these two players developed into I don't see how you can choose Shaq. The Magic did and they didn't win with him. The Bulls picked Jordan and they won 6 times.

Again, put them both on terrible teams. It isn't about who sells shoes, it is about which position is stronger by default.

That is really what the argument comes down to. Jordan is better. But go back and read what Mutt wrote, he nailed it.

And just as you say "Jordan won 6...Shaq lost with Orlando..."

How old was Shaq when he took Orlando? Was he actually in his prime? How old was Jordan?

Did Jordan take multiple teams to the finals?

The center position is more nessecary for a fast winning season. Centers have a smaller window for being dominate. Guards last longer.

Based on that logic you'd have to take Jordan because his prime would last longer, hence more winning seasons for you as the GM.....hence more offseasons to make moves to try and build a winner around your star.

He sure did. Jordan and Pippen were the only players to be on the first and second title run.

Well given the somewhat unrealistic scenario I would still take Jordan.

Jordan was the greatest, and always will be, in large part because he was able to make average players play great around him. As a team leader he could make more of his teammates than Shaq could, if we assume neither team has great players.

Shaq would dominate inside, but you need more than one man to win.

Should it come down to a one-point game, who is going to take that shot and make it, and make NBA history? You know who.

Oh come on!

That's the strategy the opposing team would use to their advantage. Keep fouling Shaq to put him at the foul line.

Remember, Jordan is probably the only player that didn't have any weaknesses. He could shoot from anywhere, he could rebound, he could assist, he could shot free throws, he could he could... you get the idea. If I'd choose a player, I'd choose the one that is supreme all around.

That's the strategy the opposing team would use to their advantage. Keep fouling Shaq to send him to the line.

Remember, Jordan is probably the only player that didn't have any weaknesses. He could shoot from anywhere, he could rebound, he could assist, he could shot free throws, he could he could... you get the idea. If I'd choose a player, I'd choose the one that is supreme all around.

If you think Mutt nailed it, then he backed up my point and contradicted yours. As I said, if you were asking who would you draft 1st as Mutt said, you'd take Shaq. However, you asked who would you most want to add to a terrible team in their prime. Terrible teams need players who can create their own shots and create for other players.

With the zone being deployed more and more in the NBA these days, teams with a solid low post scoring center need to compliment that with outside shooting otherwise teams can take the big man completely out of the game. Look at the top teams in the league this year, all have great perimeter play and very mediocre center play.

I agree if you have a terrible team and you need to draft someone and your choice is a center or a shooting guard all else being equal you draft the center. Hakeem went number one Jordan number was third.

But your question assumes we have a crystal ball at draft time and know what these players become. If that's the case how can you let Jordan slip by? He was very loyal to the Bulls (that's why I bring up Orlando). Shaq only won it all when another player emerged (Kobe). Jordan had Pippen but he was also the one responsible for Pippen being so great. Jordan's prime also lasted a lot longer than Shaq's.

Actually, his question had nothing to do with the draft and never mentioned it. He asked which player would you want to add to a terrible team mid season if you were wanting to make a quick improvement and run to the playoffs.

This is a tough question, and you need to put your personal feelings and who YOU think is better and look at it from the standpoint of a GM of a shit team in the NBA, who is most likely fighting to keep his job.

You have to look at which player is going to have the largest impact on your entire organization. When I start weighing on all the factors in this situation I myself if I was a GM would take Jordan.

Jordan has heart and demands the best from everyone else on the team, Shaq is all about himself and his ego, if the team is losing he's not going to bust his ass to win. He'll be pissed that he's on a shit team. Jordan early in his career with Doug Collins got the Bulls into the playoffs.

Jordan also puts asses in the seats, when they are at home always a sell out, when they are on the road always a sell out. This also has a huge impact on the team, and is good for a GM. It would bring more media attention to the team as well, which is good. You're the shit team that just fucking got Jordan, the best to ever play.

I understand the point Cori is making, but when you say it's a terrible team with no real good players, you need to think who is going to make an impact, who is going to really give your team the best chance at winning, someone who can take over and just tell everyone else where to go.

I know a good center means a lot to a team, and when you want to create a team to build towards winning a championship of course you want a top center to build around, but Cori said someone who will come in and help the team win now, and get them into the playoffs, just one season. Jordan has the tools to do this, he can take over and just win. Shaq needs someone to get him the ball, Shaq needs the help with an awesome point guard, or small forward. Jordan is like having a high school super star, give him the ball, and get open just in case.

This is something that could go both ways, but I think if it's one season, and you want to win NOW, put asses in the seats and etc. hands down you go Jordan.

Although I would take Shaq, you obviously understood my post...it is a closer call than most realize.

Good post and logic.

not knowing anything about the teams except for who the star player could be and what they will do - I follow history.


1983/84: The Bulls struggles continue as they finish with an awful 27-55 record, missing the playoffs for the 6th time in 7 years. During the season the Bulls deal away Reggie Theus creating the need for a solid shooting guard, which they hoped would be filled by a 6-6 guard from North Carolina named Michael Jordan who the Bulls selected with 3rd overall draft pick.

1984/85: Michael Jordan stepped into the starting lineup right away and dazzled the NBA earning a trip to the All-Star Game, while earning comparisons to Julius Erving. Jordan would go on to finish 3rd in scoring with 28.2 ppg, earning the Rookie of the Year as the Bulls made the playoffs with a 38-44 record. However, it would be a quick exit as the Bulls are knocked off by the Milwaukee Bucks in 4 games.

Anybody else and I take the center, but Jordan was so special he breaks the rules of common sense.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....I seem to remember a similar conversation at WA L.A.....I thought you were drunk at 9am but now I see that you are constantly drunk..that is the ONLY basis in reasoning for this statement

I'd take a driven Jordan or Kobe over a lazy, dominant Shaq anyday.... someone still has to give Shaq the ball... Shaq always had a good team and another star to help him

I'd like to see Shaq replace Kobe on the Lakers and see how the Lakers do... probably not as well as the Lakers are doing now(despite the losing streak, they are getting back on track and will be better when healthy).

Kobe can either facillitate or take over when the team is down 20, Shaq can't do either IMO

why wouldn't you take the best player EVER in nba history? :helpme

well i should say the greatest basketball player is Michael Jordan...he can do everything, post, 3 point shot, assist, rebound and indeed a very talented player..i should say that shaq is not that bad but i think his most advantage is his height and body...but over all, i would prefer MJ, though i'm a kobe fan..