Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players that the NBA has ever seen. He was at the peak of his powers in the early 2000s, winning an MVP and three Finals MVPs.
He was a regular on the All-NBA First Team at the time and was on arguably the greatest first team of all time in 2002-03, alongside Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. After fans wondered who would win in a seven-game series between the 2003 team and the 2022-23 All-NBA First Team, Shaq made it clear which side he fell on.
“Stop it @fanduel. This is a four-game sweep. Yup, I said it and I mean it. Let me know your thoughts and don’t hold back. Say whatever.”
These teams show the incredible progression of the NBA in the last 20 years. O’Neal is right, as the versatility of the 2003 first team is incredible. Luka Doncic is incredible, but he’s not Kobe Bryant just yet. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a bright future and may surpass McGrady all-time, but prime McGrady was fearsome.
Duncan, KG, and Shaq as a frontcourt would be better than Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid, so this battle is clearly won by the 2003 First Team. Though, we reckon they can take at least a game or two in a seven-game series.
How The Statistics Match Up
The stats would say the modern team is better by virtue of the scoring explosion in the NBA. Luka Doncic averaged 33.0 points this season, with scoring leader McGrady averaging 32.1 points in 2003. All five players on the 2023 team averaged more than 30 points for the season, while players like Duncan and Garnett averaged 23.3 points and 23.0 points, respectively.
All five players on the 2003 team are excellent two-way options, with Doncic being the biggest defensive liability in the 2023 team. Shai has defensive promise but wouldn’t be considered at the caliber of the five players on the 2003 team. Outside of Tracy McGrady, every single player also made the All-Defensive team that season.
Ultimately, there is a certain one-note nature of the first team in 2023 being offense heavy, while the 2003 team could do it at a league-best level on both ends of the ball. That matter in a seven-game series and would lead to 2023’s loss.
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