Since Shaq was traded to Phoenix last week, everyone has debated whether he really makes them into a contender or if he is just a washed up old guy trying to stretch out his career. You won't find a firm answer here because like everyone else I think alot depends on how healthy he is and how effective he can be with the fast pace offense the Suns run. However, while thinking about Shaq in Phoenix and also about Dwight Howard in Orlando (did you see what that guy did in the Slam Dunk contest?), I made this observation. Going back to 1980, there have only been 2 teams that have won an NBA Championship that didn't have a dominant big man...In fact, almost all these big man would be considered the Greatest 50 players of all-time. The two teams are the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998) and the Detroit Pistons (2004). The Bulls were obviously led by MJ and Scottie and their big men over the years consisted of guys like Bill Cartwright, Bill Wennington, and Luc Longley. The Pistons from '03-'04 had Ben Wallace. I am not saying these guys weren't good, but they aren't great. Other than those 2 teams, every Champion has had a great big man on their team. Here is the list:
2006-07- San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan
2005-06- Miami Heat- Shaquille O'Neal
2004-05- San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan
2003-04- Detroit Pistons (An exception; Ben Wallace)
2002-03- San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan
2001-02- Los Angeles Lakers- Shaquille O'Neal
2000-01- Los Angeles Lakers- Shaquille O'Neal
1999-00- Los Angeles Lakers- Shaquille O'Neal
1998-99- San Antonio Spurs- David Robinson/ Tim Duncan
1997-98- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Luc Longley)
1996-97- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Luc Longley)
1995-96- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Luc Longley)
1994-95- Houston Rockets- Hakeem Olajuwon
1993-94- Houston Rockets- Hakeem Olajuwon
1992-93- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Bill Cartwright)
1991-92- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Bill Cartwright)
1990-91- Chicago Bulls- (An exception; Bill Cartwright)
1989-90- Detroit Pistons- Bill Laimbeer
1988-89- Detroit Pistons- Bill Laimbeer
1987-88- Los Angeles Lakers- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1986-87- Los Angeles Lakers- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1985-86- Boston Celtics- Kevin McHale
1984-85- Los Angeles Lakers- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1983-84- Boston Celtics- Kevin McHale
1982-83- Philadelphia 76ers- Moses Malone
1981-82- Los Angeles Lakers- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1980-81- Boston Celtics- Kevin McHale
1979-80- Los Angeles Lakers- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
What this means is that we have had 27 years of Champions (granted some have won multiple times) and almost all teams have a big man that as part of the foundation of their team. Furthermore, if you take out the best player ever (Jordan), every Champion except the '04 Pistons had a great big man. These are straight facts and rosters that I have laid out and so you have to decide what you think of this information. I am not suggesting that you should bet your savings account on the Suns winning it all simply because they picked up Shaq. But the Suns have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last 5 years and have not made it to the finals and all along they were missing one thing: a big man.
3 comments:
That's interesting about all those championship teams. But if indeed they are all among the greatest 50 of all time, then that hardly proves that having a great big man puts you over the top. It just proves that having good players gets you there. Surprise.
Shaq and Marion are almost the same player statistically, except Marion is younger and more versatile. What is the point?
I agree that a championship isn't simply a result of having a great big guy. However, it is interesting to look at the championship teams and realize that a common thread is a dominant big man.
As far as the Shaq-Marion link, there is a vital point that you are missing. Shaq has 4 rings and Marion has none. Marion is younger which is why he is a great pick-up for the Heat, but he has has been with the Suns and they haven't gotten over the hump...so now its Shaq's turn to help out. And a little Championship experience sure is nice to have isn't it? Plus, Marion has the versatality, but he is no where near as dominant as Shaq is, even if Shaq is old and not in his prime. Shaq draws a double team based solely on his size...thats invaluable.
Even the '04 Pistons and last three Bulls teams had the best setup without great centers - a great defensive/rebounding power forward (Wallace, and Rodman). I don't remember if Grant played that role on the first 3 Bulls teams.
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