Top 40 extra: Shaq and Hakeem

To add on to this question, can performance in crunch time against different defensive/offensive schemes be evaluated in terms of player equity?

I think Cody originally asked the question since Shaq played with talented All-Star level guards throughout most of his years as a superstar.

Oh, and I forgot to ask about fouls. Hakeem averaged 1 foul more per game than Duncan and KG (3.5 to 2.4 (and Shaq 3.4)). I've always wondered about the value there. I remember a Sloan study once showed that Dwight Howard's defense dropped considerably when he had four fouls. If Hakeem's play dropped off when he was in foul trouble—which would have happened in high-leverage late-game situations—do you think that might close the gap some between those guys and Dream?

Michael

Ben, Regarding how Hakeem would have fared playing next to Penny or Kobe, I'll note the last three seasons he played starter minutes, age 34-36, according to bball ref, from beyond 16 ft he shot .429%, .435%, and .504%. (Those are the earliest shooting stats on the site. Don't know another source.) Today he would be the rare pick and pop and pick and roll weapon (and of course, he'd have developed a 3). In that era would his outside-the-paint skills have great value playing with an all-star on the perimeter? The league might not have been dominated by the pick-and-roll, but it was still a thing. Gotta figure after Dream and Penny played the Jazz a few times, a lightbulb would go off in someone's head in Houston. Really enjoying the series.

Michael

I’ve been loving the series so far! Thanks so much for the great content (as always) — since there was a throwaway line recently about how the west/Oscar episode didn’t get as many views, I thought I’d mention that it might have been my favorite episode so far. Looking forward to the finale! :)

Speaking of Shaq and his high end evaluation, what would the highest placement possible you could see yourself ranking Shaq's offensive peak? Would he break into that MJ/Steph/Bron/Magic ish territory for you? Could you see yourself arguing him as arguably the GOAT offensive peak with his roster construction warping effect on the league? If so, what would an argument from you for that look like seeing he lacks some of the high end playmaking abilities you believe those players to have?(didn't mention him in your top playmakers pod)