He does now without a doubt, but did he deserve it back in 1997 before his championships? He didnt even show up for the ceremony when every other player except for one dead one and one going through surgery. What do you think.
2007-08-02 08:56:12 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
I didn't think he deserved to be then. I remember thinking that during the ceremony. I think it was somewhat in anticipation of what was inevitable, him winning championships. Also, the NBA wanted to have as many current players in it as possible and with Shaq being the 2nd most popular player in the NBA at that time behind Jordan, they did it to gather interest.
2007-08-02 09:01:22 · answer #1 · answered by djkolbe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Arguably, you raise an excellent question. In 1997 Shaq had not quite developed his foot work and passing skills. He may have very well indeed been one of the 50 best active players in the league at that time, but he certainly had not proved himself at that point, to be one of The Greatest 50 Players.
2007-08-02 09:05:34 · answer #2 · answered by regjazz11 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no. how could you be in the 50 greatest players of all-time with less than 4yrs under your belt... that was a disgrace to the league then. what if this guy would have got injured right after that. he did'nt prove anything during his those yrs he was in the east except that at thirty-something hakeem dominated a much younger stronger shaq in the finals.. i would of ove to see some other names instead of shaq at that point in his career. but now he is diffently in there because he is the 5th best center of all time (wilt, russell, hakeem, kareem).
2007-08-04 11:27:30 · answer #3 · answered by rusty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The NBA is so shameless in their marketing, and those kind of lists show it. It is all about popularity - not how good you are! That is why Larry Bird went from the greatest player ever to being only top five - because he doesn't sell millions of over-priced shoes to inner-city youth!
2007-08-02 10:03:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with djkolbe on this one. Would like to add though that even then he was all but a sure thing (only injury could have prevented him from eventually becoming one of the best 50 ever) ,his career at the time did not compare with a few guys who were left of the list. Now there is no question.
2007-08-02 09:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by miteshdasa 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do... don't forget he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in the 94-95 season. That was only his third season at the time, and he also led the league in scoring.
2007-08-02 09:08:11 · answer #6 · answered by "T-Chitown" 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, at the time (1997) he most certainly did not.
Fortunately, since then, he's won several titles, and now looks like a worthy selection.
2007-08-02 09:05:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, but he probably deserved it in the 2000s.
2007-08-02 10:00:32 · answer #8 · answered by Kevin L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-08-02 09:29:18 · answer #9 · answered by Magic Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course, he was one of the best centers in that decade. most of his stats were better in his younger years. hes basically a legend still playin in the nba
2007-08-02 09:02:35 · answer #10 · answered by DL 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋