Suns @ Blazers

[cobbler]

He must have went downhill fast from then because his last 2 years he could barely do anything. I don't remember kareem being dominant in his later years.

Actually, for kareem at 40 and shaq at 36, their numbers as DOK stated are almost identical. Kareem did actually play in 80 games though and didnt take off back to backs. Kareem was never dominant in respect to say dunking or overpowering opponents. He just won. And he led the Lakers to the le at 4O as opposed to the 9th seed. He retired the following year. Ohhhhh, and he was never a clown!

[RonMexico]

Actually, for kareem at 40 and shaq at 36, their numbers as DOK stated are almost identical. Kareem did actually play in 80 games though and didnt take off back to backs. Kareem was never dominant in respect to say dunking or overpowering opponents. He just won. And he led the Lakers to the le at 4O as opposed to the 9th seed. He retired the following year. Ohhhhh, and he was never a clown!

Still can't admit that you're being a homer. Sure, when you're Kareem and all you have to do is protect the rim, grab rebounds and spark a fast break that involves Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and James Worthy, you can play until you're 40. Then, when the team asks that you slow it down, you get to post up and use your height and patented sky hook to an advantage to average a decent amount of points per game. You're failing to recognize that he played a supporting role on these extremely deep teams. He also had a lean frame that wouldn't break down as much as a guy who is carrying 330 pounds and getting his ass beat down upon by players every night. Kareem was always a ninny, who ed to the officials A LOT so you can't compare him and Shaq at all based upon role and supporting casts.

[cobbler]

Still can't admit that you're being a homer. Sure, when you're Kareem and all you have to do is protect the rim, grab rebounds and spark a fast break that involves Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and James Worthy, you can play until you're 40. Then, when the team asks that you slow it down, you get to post up and use your height and patented sky hook to an advantage to average a decent amount of points per game. You're failing to recognize that he played a supporting role on these extremely deep teams. He also had a lean frame that wouldn't break down as much as a guy who is carrying 330 pounds and getting his ass beat down upon by players every night. Kareem was always a ninny, who ed to the officials A LOT so you can't compare him and Shaq at all based upon role and supporting casts.

Suggesting that Kareem played just a supporting role is just plain ignorance on your part. As was stated by KOD and later acknowledged by myself, their numbers were almost identical. Let's not forget that Kareem was also 4 years older. And there is absolutely no doubt that Kareem had the better players surrounding him. IMO that makes the numbers he got even better as he had to contend with his teamates and wasnt the "go to" guy. So you are suggesting because he had a lean frame you cannot compare his numbers with Shaqs? I say just the oppposite. He got his numbers with skill and basketball IQ as opposed to just bowling over people and dunking. There is no doubt Shaq has taken a lot more physical play against him. Possibly the most of any player to play the game and I admire his ability to not get pissed and take someone out. He has also benefited from it as well. While Shaq definetly has a larger frame, he certainly didnt have to carry the poundage he has throughout his career. Come on, he has never been know for his work ethic or being in shape and that is his own fault. If he had, he would have gone down as the best center ever to play. He's not even close.

Ohhhhh, and when did i ever not admit to being a homer? I am just as everyone else is. Is that not what a fan is?

And by the way, I never liked Shaq and dissed him just as much even when he was a Laker. The big underachiever!

[Jeremy]

Not if the Mavs lose tomorrow night. Then we're right back where we are now.

See?

[RonMexico]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

[cobbler]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

Well, you know what the say about assuming. I have held Laker season tix since 1974-75 and actaully watched Kareem when he was Lew, live at Pauley Pavillion in his UCLA days.

And I realy don't care about your opinion to be honest. Just telling it like it is. Only a fool would state that Kareem was a role player and not a significant factor in the Laker championships. And as far as great Centers go, I'm sorry to burts your bubble, but Shaq is not in Kareems league.

[pauls931]

Well, you know what the say about assuming. I have held Laker season tix since 1974-75 and actaully watched Kareem when he was Lew, live at Pauley Pavillion in his UCLA days.

And I realy don't care about your opinion to be honest. Just telling it like it is. Only a fool would state that Kareem was a role player and not a significant factor in the Laker championships. And as far as great Centers go, I'm sorry to burts your bubble, but Shaq is not in Kareems league.

What I find impressive is the timespan over kareem's les. Most players get theirs in bursts, but Kareem got his first le in 71 and last in 88, that's a 17 year timespan! That said, I wish he would have retired about 2 years earlier.

[Cry Havoc]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

What the are you talking about?

The Suns slowed their game down BECAUSE of Shaq. A team Shaq's on isn't going to average 110+ because he's too damn slow to get up and down the court. Kareem put up numbers because he took care of himself and could run with a team. Shaq got fat, quit on his team, and then decided that he suddenly wanted to play again, only he's relied on knocking people over instead of basketball skill his entire career, so he can't do it for long.

I realize you're a Laker homer, but don't excuse the fact that it's SHAQ's fault he can't run. You should give LESS credit to his stats because he's been a lazy ass who has to play a slow tempo to stay on the court.