Sabonis had his day. He was not a bad center. He just didn't stop Shaq or slow him down much at all. Of the centers that Shaq had to go against, Sabonis did as well as anyone. It just wasn't enough. NOW, after a year layoff, I don't think Sabonis is in any better shape and Shaq is just that much tougher.
I have this image in my head from watching Portland and LA. Shaq was doing his usual thing. He was backing Sabonis down and pushing him back under the basket and stuffing the ball and Sabonis is looking over at the refs and wondering how they can let Shaq get away with it. The refs let Shaq initiate all the contact and push, push, push and then call the foul on the defender, if a foul is called at all. As long as that goes on, no one stops Shaq or slows him down.
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