Since 2015, the Golden State Warriors have proven to be the most dominant team in the modern NBA by winning four championships. Their game plan is centered on amazing long-range shooting, all credit goes to the dynamic duo known as the “Splash Brothers,” Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Contrary to most teams, the Warriors have succeeded without depending on a standout center. What if this squad had Shaq on board?
Shaq’s Vision: Dominance and Team Play
Shaquille O’Neal, an NBA Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant centers in history, feels he would have succeeded with the Warriors. During a recent episode of The Big Podcast, O’Neal elaborated on his viewpoint: “You need to defend against me with two players.” Draymond would score an additional ten points by driving to the basket, I would pass to him, then kick it out to Steph and Klay, nobody could defeat us, and I wouldn’t need to score.
An Unstoppable Combination
Picture the Warriors having Shaq: their unmatched shooting paired with a powerful presence in the post. O’Neal’s skill in attracting double teams would create numerous chances for Curry and Thompson. The Warriors offense, already strong, would become almost unbeatable by blending inside and outside play to perfection.
Financial Impact in Today’s NBA
In addition to his success on the court, O’Neal acknowledges the financial advantages of being part of the current NBA. He frequently criticized the high-paying deals of modern centers, using Rudy Gobert’s salary as a particular instance. If I was 42 years old, I would be earning the same amount of money as Rudy Gobert. Twelve points and eight boards? “I could accomplish that right now… earning $250 million… with an average of twelve points,” O’Neal stated earlier this year.
Shaq’s Timeless Dominance
O’Neal still believes in his capacity to control the current game like he did during his peak. I am the most powerful athlete that has ever played on a basketball court. I haven’t encountered anyone yet whom I believe can prevent me. I believe I would be equally dominant at this moment. In an interview for Relevo, he mentioned that due to the openness of the game and the abundance of three-point shooters, there would be more space in the paint for him to operate.
Although the thought of Shaquille O’Neal teaming up with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson is exciting, it also highlights the potential alternate path the basketball world could have taken. The potential addition of Shaq to the Warriors highlights the combination of abilities that could form an unbeatable team. It is a situation in which the basketball deities are wisely confined to the realm of fantasy.
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