2001 Lakers vs Current Warriors

[bksballer89]

Who ya got?

 

[RobToxin]

That big ass goofball in the middle gives the Lakers the advantage.

The Lakers pound the ball inside with Shaq. The Warriors wouldn't have an answer for that. Nobody the Warriors have faced on this run has had an inside presence like that.

This is assuming Shaq is motivated and not sitting around eating cheeseburgers and wondering how somebody's ass tastes.

 

[shopson67]

That big ass goofball in the middle gives the Lakers the advantage.

The Lakers pound the ball inside with Shaq. The Warriors wouldn't have an answer for that. Nobody the Warriors have faced on this run has had an inside presence like that.

This is assuming Shaq is motivated and not sitting around eating cheeseburgers and wondering how somebody's ass tastes.

Not somebody's, his own lol.

It would be a tough series for sure, but the Warriors may still have the edge, depending on what era of officiating we're talking about. If Shaq gets his calls, the Lakers are tough to beat (even with a poor FT%). If he can't play bully ball, that changes things completely.

 

[RobToxin]

Not somebody's, his own lol.

It would be a tough series for sure, but the Warriors may still have the edge, depending on what era of officiating we're talking about. If Shaq gets his calls, the Lakers are tough to beat (even with a poor FT%). If he can't play bully ball, that changes things completely.

That's true. The officiating will play a big part in whether the Lakers can play their game or not.

 

[CitySushi]

Think it'd be really close. I think it would come down to which team could impose their pace on the other team. The Lakers would rightfully want to slow it down in the half court, pound the paint and use their spot up 3 point shooters. The Warriors would want to get out and run, which would put more stress on Shaq throughout the game.

I think the Warriors have the advantage, if only because they'll go small against the Lakers. Regardless of who was playing Shaq, they'd need a double team anyways, so going small allows them to get out on the break and run.

I'd imagine it'd be a 7 game series. Gun to my head I say Warriors, if only because of the 3 point shot. But I think Shaq averages close to 40 a game.

 

[msgkings322]

Not somebody's, his own lol.

It would be a tough series for sure, but the Warriors may still have the edge, depending on what era of officiating we're talking about. If Shaq gets his calls, the Lakers are tough to beat (even with a poor FT%). If he can't play bully ball, that changes things completely.

Yep, depends on the era and rules. Same as the debate over whether today's stars could beat the 1992 Dream Team. Depends on the rules used.

And in both cases neither team would totally dominate. The 2001 Lakers vs the 2017 Warriors would be a 7 game series.

 

[Black Adam]

That big ass goofball in the middle gives the Lakers the advantage.

The Lakers pound the ball inside with Shaq. The Warriors wouldn't have an answer for that. Nobody the Warriors have faced on this run has had an inside presence like that.

This is assuming Shaq is motivated and not sitting around eating cheeseburgers and wondering how somebody's ass tastes.

pretty much this...

know it'll sound like a homer pick, but i'll say Lakers with Shaq dominating the middle...

 

[Mecca]

Handchecking or no?

Handchecking, Lakers.

Freedom of movement, Dubs.

 

[flyerhawk]

Of course the rules would be a big factor.

If they played modern rules, the Lakers would be at a severe disadvantage as they couldn't just park Shaq in the paint all game. The lack of hand checking would also make it very tough for the Lakers to chase the Lakers shooters around.

OTOH, you are talking about 2 teams with a couple of Hall of Famers on them and each team having a transcendent player that is essentially unstoppable when their game is flowing.

But I think that the Warriors could simply play Hack-A-Shaq and overwhelm the Lakers with 3s. Regardless of the rules, there is no way a team from the past could believe that one team would have 3 shooters like Steph, KD, and Klay.

 

[The Derski]

Maybe this seasons warriors. Not the 73-9 team.

 

[msgkings322]

Maybe this seasons warriors. Not the 73-9 team.

No, that team didn't have KD. Lakers beat them in 5-6 games.

The 2016-7 team, KDs first year there, was the best of them so far. They steamrolled the league and the playoffs. Better bench than they have now.

 

[trojanfan12]

As others have said, the rules would have a big role.

Who controlled the pace would have a lot to do with it as well.

I would give the edge to the Lakers, but it would be a 6 or 7 game series probably 7.

Aside from Shaq who would be virtually unstoppable, the Lakers had size and athleticism which are the very things that the Warriors struggle with. They also had Kobe, who at that age, was a lockdown defender.

The Warriors 3 point shooting and ball movement would make them very competitive and would win them 2-3 games in the series. But I think the Lakers size and not being able to stop Shaq would be what eventually wore the Warriors down.

 

[trojanfan12]

As others have said, the rules would have a big role.

Who controlled the pace would have a lot to do with it as well.

I would give the edge to the Lakers, but it would be a 6 or 7 game series probably 7.

Aside from Shaq who would be virtually unstoppable, the Lakers had size and athleticism which are the very things that the Warriors struggle with. They also had Kobe, who at that age, was a lockdown defender.

The Warriors 3 point shooting and ball movement would make them very competitive and would win them 2-3 games in the series. But I think the Lakers size and not being able to stop Shaq would be what eventually wore the Warriors down.

 

[CitySushi]

As others have said, the rules would have a big role.

Who controlled the pace would have a lot to do with it as well.

I would give the edge to the Lakers, but it would be a 6 or 7 game series probably 7.

Aside from Shaq who would be virtually unstoppable, the Lakers had size and athleticism which are the very things that the Warriors struggle with. They also had Kobe, who at that age, was a lockdown defender.

The Warriors 3 point shooting and ball movement would make them very competitive and would win them 2-3 games in the series. But I think the Lakers size and not being able to stop Shaq would be what eventually wore the Warriors down.

What about making Shaq run non-stop during the game?

The thing I think about the most about this is their series against the Pistons. The Pistons said they chose NOT to double Shaq because the Lakers would be forced to feed Shaq and Kobe would get pissed not doing anything. It worked in their favor.

I think the Warriors have no way to counter Shaq, size-wise, so they'd ultimately go much smaller and just run. They'd be playing a lot of 5 on 4 going back and what's Shaq going to do when the Warriors spread the offense?

I think there's advantages and disadvantages for both teams. Would just be a really, really interesting matchup.

 

[tducey]

I think it would be the 2001 Lakers. Would be a good match.

 

[LUNCHBOX]

Who ya got?

96 Bulls ...ya heard?

 

[tlance]

What about making Shaq run non-stop during the game?

The thing I think about the most about this is their series against the Pistons. The Pistons said they chose NOT to double Shaq because the Lakers would be forced to feed Shaq and Kobe would get pissed not doing anything. It worked in their favor.

I think the Warriors have no way to counter Shaq, size-wise, so they'd ultimately go much smaller and just run. They'd be playing a lot of 5 on 4 going back and what's Shaq going to do when the Warriors spread the offense?

I think there's advantages and disadvantages for both teams. Would just be a really, really interesting matchup.

The Warriors actually have 2 ways to specifically counter Shaq.

1 way is to use all those fouls with the myriad of role player bigs that they have. Shaq was a 51% FT shooter that season. Use every available from your role players and it doesn't matter at all who guards him.

The second way is to wear him out by putting him innpick and roll on every possession. How does he guard a Curry/Cousins pick and roll? Durant/Cousins? Curry/Green?

Bottom line, is we have not seen this team with Cousins yet. But if it works, there is no more mismatch. Sure, Shaq would get his buckets, but his struggles to guard in space would create as many problems for the Laker defense as Shaq's offense creates for GS.

GS wins in 5 if Cousins is right.

 

[trojanfan12]

What about making Shaq run non-stop during the game?

The thing I think about the most about this is their series against the Pistons. The Pistons said they chose NOT to double Shaq because the Lakers would be forced to feed Shaq and Kobe would get pissed not doing anything. It worked in their favor.

I think the Warriors have no way to counter Shaq, size-wise, so they'd ultimately go much smaller and just run. They'd be playing a lot of 5 on 4 going back and what's Shaq going to do when the Warriors spread the offense?

I think there's advantages and disadvantages for both teams. Would just be a really, really interesting matchup.

That's why i said that who controlled the pace would be very important.

The problem for the Warriors if they went small is that you can't get away with playing that way for an entire series. That's why teams just don't go small and stay small. The bedroom ain't the only place where size matters. lol

Also, this is 2001 Shaq. That was the Shaq where people were saying that it was unfair for a guy that size to be that athletic.

I can certainly see where the Warriors would have a great chance to win the series. I just think that over the course of 7 games, the size of that Lakers team would wear them down.

Too bad it can't happen, because it would be a lot of fun to find out.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Lakers in 3

Warriors concede after their third consecutive 50 point loss

 

[gohusk]

Current W's as in tonight? They look like a bunch of stars that are sick of the site of each other.

This roster at it's top game? They'd shoot them out of the gym. Today's players basically have to do everything at a high level and the hack a shaq would kill them with the way they drain 3's today.