Shaq is one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history, but I get the impression his defense has generally been underrated. Most people think his best years were behind him when he was traded to the Heat, but his impact on the team's defense is interesting. Here is the opponent's shooting for the Heat
2003-04 opponents shot 42.8% (Heat shot 42.5%)
2004-05 opponents shot 42.7% (Heat shot 48.0%) Shaq joined their team - played 2492 minutes)
2005-06 opponents shot 44.0% (Heat shot 47.8%) Shaq played 1181 minutes - came back and led them to the title
2006-07 opponents shot 44.4% (Heat shot 46.4%) Shaq played only 1134 minutes
2007-08 opponents shot 46.8% (Heat shot 44.3%) Shq played 947 minutes before the trade
After joining the Suns, Shaq played 803 minutes.
Losing Shaq changed the Lakers, opponents shot
1995-96 45.8%
1996-97 44.1% First year with Shaq
1997-98 43.9%
1998-99 44.1%
1999-00 41.6%
2000-01 43.8%
2001-02 42.4%
2002-03 44.3%
2003-04 44.0% Last year Shaq was with the Lakers
2004-05 45.3%
2005-06 45.0%
2006-07 46.1%
2007-08 44.5%
The Lakers have still have not been able to reduce opponent's shooting to what Shaq's teams did.
For the Suns, a lot will depend on the training staff and a lot will depend on changing the defensive scheme for handling the pick and roll. But if he stays healthy and motivated, there is a reasonable chance that Shaq will help the Suns' defense more than many seem to expect. There is no reason to think he'll be any less effective than he was in 2005-06 when the Heat won the title.
2003-04 opponents shot 42.8% (Heat shot 42.5%)
2004-05 opponents shot 42.7% (Heat shot 48.0%) Shaq joined their team - played 2492 minutes)
2005-06 opponents shot 44.0% (Heat shot 47.8%) Shaq played 1181 minutes - came back and led them to the title
2006-07 opponents shot 44.4% (Heat shot 46.4%) Shaq played only 1134 minutes
2007-08 opponents shot 46.8% (Heat shot 44.3%) Shq played 947 minutes before the trade
After joining the Suns, Shaq played 803 minutes.
Losing Shaq changed the Lakers, opponents shot
1995-96 45.8%
1996-97 44.1% First year with Shaq
1997-98 43.9%
1998-99 44.1%
1999-00 41.6%
2000-01 43.8%
2001-02 42.4%
2002-03 44.3%
2003-04 44.0% Last year Shaq was with the Lakers
2004-05 45.3%
2005-06 45.0%
2006-07 46.1%
2007-08 44.5%
The Lakers have still have not been able to reduce opponent's shooting to what Shaq's teams did.
For the Suns, a lot will depend on the training staff and a lot will depend on changing the defensive scheme for handling the pick and roll. But if he stays healthy and motivated, there is a reasonable chance that Shaq will help the Suns' defense more than many seem to expect. There is no reason to think he'll be any less effective than he was in 2005-06 when the Heat won the title.
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