In a recent episode of his podcast, ‘The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone,’ Patrick Beverley made a bold claim about Shaquille O’Neal’s scoring potential. Beverley asserted that if Shaq had shot 80% from the free-throw line, he could have averaged a staggering 53 points per game during his career.
“There’s nothing you could do. You could double team him, you can front him, there’s nothing you can do. If he went like 80%, not even like 90, if he were like 78% he would have averaged 53 points a game.”
“If [Shaq] went like 80%, not even like 90, if he were like 78% [from the free throw line] he would have averaged 53 points a game.”
Agree with Patrick Beverley? 🤔
(via @PatBevPod)pic.twitter.com/0jKqy3pCIs
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 13, 2024
While Beverley’s statement captures the essence of Shaq’s dominance and the impact of his free-throw shooting on his scoring output, a closer look at the numbers suggests that the actual increase in points might not have been as dramatic as Pat Bev suggests.
Throughout his illustrious career, Shaquille O’Neal struggled with free throws, maintaining a career average of 52.7% from the line. Pat Bev’s hypothetical scenario envisions a situation where Shaq improves his free-throw percentage to 80%.
In this case, considering his career averages of 9.4 free throw attempts per game and 4.9 made free throws per game, an 80% conversion rate would yield approximately 7.52 made free throws per game, resulting in an additional 2-3 points per game.
Examining Shaq’s best-scoring season, where he averaged 29.7 points per game, he attempted an average of 10.4 free throws and made 5.5 per game, shooting 52.4% from the line. If Shaq had shot 80% during that season, he would have made approximately 8.32 free throws per game, translating to an extra 3 points per game. Consequently, Shaq’s scoring average would have been around 32-33 points per game.
While Beverley’s claim of 53 points per game may be an exaggeration, it underscores the significance of free-throw shooting in Shaq’s career. A more efficient performance from the free-throw line would not only have added a few points to his scoring average but also changed the dynamics of how opponents defended him.
If Shaq were a more reliable free-throw shooter, teams might have been less inclined to employ the “Hack-A-Shaq” strategy, making it even more challenging for defenses to contain his dominant presence on the court.
If Shaquille O’Neal Shot 30% From 3 Point Range, He Would Have Been The GOAT
The hypothetical scenario of Shaquille O’Neal shooting 30% from three-point range is a fascinating concept that could have transformed him into an unparalleled force in basketball history. Shaq, already an all-time great dominating the paint, would have become an even more unstoppable offensive juggernaut with an effective three-point shot.
If Shaq had added a reliable three-point shot to his arsenal, defenses around the league would have been left in absolute disarray. Traditionally, Shaq was a powerhouse in the post, using his size, strength, and athleticism to dominate opponents in the paint. However, the prospect of him consistently knocking down three-pointers would have forced defenders to step out of their comfort zones and contest shots far beyond the key.
Picture this – Shaq catching the ball beyond the arc, defenders uncertain whether to close out and risk being blown by with his powerful drives or sag off and allow him an open three. The mere threat of Shaq being a legitimate three-point shooter would have stretched defenses to their breaking points. Centers, traditionally accustomed to protecting the rim, would now be forced to chase the big man out to the perimeter.
Teams employing zone defenses to clog the paint against Shaq would find themselves vulnerable to his newfound shooting prowess. Imagine the spectacle of O’Neal confidently draining threes over helpless defenders, altering the very fabric of defensive schemes designed to contain him.
Moreover, Shaq’s ability to shoot from deep would have opened up passing lanes and created opportunities for his teammates. Double-teams would have been riskier, as Shaq could punish opponents by finding open shooters on the perimeter.
While this imaginative scenario departs from the reality of Shaq’s game, it highlights the seismic impact such an addition to his skill set could have had on the sport, potentially solidifying him as the greatest of all time.
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