u/Mud-Eastern

Shaq prime was dominant from his Orlando days to his Lakers days and Shaq was even more unstoppable during his 3 peat years.

But things got weird after the 3rd chip in ‘02, by the 02-03 season and the 03-04 season Shaq weight dramatically changed with the weight ballooning to close to 400 pounds, had a toe injury and the tension Shaq had with Kobe starting growing rapidly during those 2 years.

I want to know if it was possible for Shaq’s prime to continue after ‘02 and if Shaq couldve won more chips with the Lakers being that dominant force in ‘03 and ‘04. Could Shaq 5 peated if he was in better shape or the tension between Shaq & Kobe was too high for that to be possible? Did Kobe really make the Lakers lose the ‘04 Finals with his bad shot selection or was Shaq at fault too with his defense being really bad in that series?

I felt like Shaq shouldve won as many chips as MJ and I felt Shaq was harder to guard than MJ in his prime especially during those 3 peat years. Was Shaq’s prime being almost over after ‘02 out of his control or was it in his control to prevent the prime from being over?

People said Shaq was back in his prime in the ‘04-05 season in Miami by being 2nd in MVP behind Nash but I felt like Shaq didnt seem like the same dominant force in Miami like he was with the Lakers.

Leave your thoughts on this, I want to know people’s opinion on this

It seems like the starting lineup for the Jazz seems too jammed up together. If Cam gets drafted to the Jazz, I don’t want Cam to be in a Dylan Harper situation where he’s coming off the bench playing limited minutes despite the production looking like he should be a starter.

I don’t think it would work but if Cam would be the starting SF and have Markkanen as the SG, would that work with the starting lineup of: PG George SG Markkanen SF Cam PF JJJ C Walker. I say Markkanen as the SG instead of Cam cause Markkanen is a better shooter, a 7 foot SG is hilarious 😂. I doubt that starting lineup works, just creating a hypothetical but I’m asking “If Cam is the future, who should the Jazz trade for to make room for Cam Boozer in the starting lineup and build around him?”

How great can Cam Boozer be at the NBA with his ability to use the P&R as a ball handler? When I see Cam’s ability to use inverted P&Rs as a ball handler in these highlights, it makes me put Cam at a higher level as a prospect compared to AJ, DP and Wilson.

I can’t say other prospects are better than Cam based on these highlights alone. Cam being so effective as a screen setter as a pick & pop guy who can shoot the 3, attack closeouts/attack off the catch or roll to the rim, being effective as a back to the basket post player and can score on second chance opportunities with the caveat of him being an effective scoring & playmaking threat as a ball handler using inverted P&Rs, how can you not say Cam isnt the best prospect in the next upcoming 2026 draft and why isnt Cam the #1 pick?

I respect AJ being considered the #1 pick but don’t yall think Cam is better than AJ with the versatile skills he has alone

There hasn’t been many all star rookies in recent times since Blake Griffin in 2011. There’s been rookies that been superstars out the gate like Shaq, David Robinson, Duncan, Blake, MJ, Bird, Kareem, Oscar, Elgin Baylor and Elvin Hayes.

I believe AJ can be an all star his rookie year because of his athleticism and his advanced skillset with his shot creation, handles, midrange game, post game and footwork being 6’10 with guard like skills. Also, if AJ plays in Washington he has Trae Young who’s an elite passer that can get AJ easy shots.

I believe Cam can be an all star his rookie year based on his skillset being a 6’9 250 pound big that can handle the ball, stretch the floor from 3, has passing ability and is a walking mismatch. If Cam gets drafted by the Grizzlies, Cam can dominate with Ja Morant giving him easy looks. Also, having Zach Eady next to Cam can help Cam so much especially with inverted P&Rs and I can see Cam getting so many easy shots slashing to the rim with that and that will give opposing teams issues with using inverted P&Rs with Cam Boozer.

Am I jumping the gun and totally offbase about my assumptions that these 2 players can be rookie all stars or is it possible that these 2 player can be rookie all stars?