I was talking about this on Reddit the other day, It's why Simmons wrote a book debunking the Hall of Fame and the most of the lists that people have about that best of all time.
NBA/ Basketball thread
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I was talking about this on Reddit the other day, It's why Simmons wrote a book debunking the Hall of Fame and the most of the lists that people have about that best of all time.
I debate this all the time with a friend (by making the same list), but my view is basically that most fans are stupid and have no legitimate opinion on this matter. I know that argument more or less invalidates my opinion as well, but its sad that people who've never watched even Magic or Bird, some kids even Jordan, argue for Kobe and Lebron as best ever. I never saw Wilt, Russell, Oscar, Dr J, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and many other greats play, but to some it's like they don't even exist. For the record: Lebron is great, but he's no Magic, Bird, Wilt, or Russell. /end rant.
Interestingly, Jordan commented recently that "only" Duncan, Kobe, Dirk, and Lebron of the current era could play in the 1990s. Certainly a slight on Durant and Curry (is he ignoring Paul also?), and I disagree with his take, but interesting to see.
maverick94
Player Valuation: £1.5m
Making cross-generational comparisons have never made sense to me anyway. Different game, different rules, different equipment, different lifestyles and so on. But if we're talking about which of today's players could comfortably fit in to a 1980s NBA game, then there's no way you can leave Russell Westbrook out. He's like the Tazmanian devil on speed.
I'll stray outside of my comfort zone talking too much about basketball, but I fear that too much of today's game is isolation-based and wouldn't fit in the game 20-30 years ago. John Wall would have been terrible in the 80s-90s, and it would be interesting to (have) see
Westbrook try to take on the Celtics in a sweltering Boston Gardens. Those teams were tenacious and nasty.*Jordan's Bulls are not even a conversation piece. Jordan would savor the 1v1 competition and devour Westbrook at his own game and then let Kerr/Grant/Pippen destroy the rest of the opposition while Westbrook sat on the bench, fouled out and hooked up the IV.
The only teams I've seen in a long time that could match (in my eyes) Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics, or Jordan's Bulls are Curry's GSW (barely, if even) or Duncan's Spurs (very much a throwback to this bygone era.)
maverick94
Player Valuation: £1.5m
I'll stray outside of my comfort zone talking too much about basketball, but I fear that too much of today's game is isolation-based and wouldn't fit in the game 20-30 years ago. John Wall would have been terrible in the 80s-90s, and it would be interesting to (have) see
*Jordan's Bulls are not even a conversation piece. Jordan would savor the 1v1 competition and devour Westbrook at his own game and then let Kerr/Grant/Pippen destroy the rest of the opposition while Westbrook sat on the bench, fouled out and hooked up the IV.
The only teams I've seen in a long time that could match (in my eyes) Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics, or Jordan's Bulls are Curry's GSW (barely, if even) or Duncan's Spurs (very much a throwback to this bygone era.)
Yeah I see where you're coming from. As I haven't seen these great teams play (youtube clips aside) then I can't really say with all certainty, but surely it works the other way round too? I'm not sure how many teams (even the notoriously tough Pistons) would be able to guard the likes of Durant (6'9) and Antetokounmpo (6'10) playing at the 2/3 position. Just a totally different game where players have adapted their roles to suit what works. There's no way you'd have Patrick Ewing making multiple threes a game, but now you have Boogie Cousins doing exactly that. So any 'top-100 players of all time' I'm largely ignoring.
I agree, but great players can/will transcend the game. I don't see many guys who are transcendent right now.
Lebron is Karl Malone with guard skills. Don't think he's ever been coached right to be honest.
I think players redefining the game are truly what make them all time greats. Lebron certainly falls into that category.
For me as a Curry fanboy, I think he is redefining what a good shot is. What's more demoralizing? A highlight reel dunk or a crossover stepback 3 from 26 feet? I love the look on the faces of Warriors' opponents when he is going off...just shaking their head.
Curry definitely could be one of those guys. It's up to him; let's see what happens.
I've always viewed Lebron as Magic, Mk 2, like Kobe is Jordan, Mk 2. But I've also never rated Malone as anything other than exceptionally good. (And he's a local.)
See I view Malone as a redefining player. The strength and speed he brought to the PF position was different...a game changer.
Lebron has taken the same body and added guard skills to it...a game changer.
Curry redefining what a good shot is, is a game changer.
Rook
Player Valuation: £80m
I'll stray outside of my comfort zone talking too much about basketball, but I fear that too much of today's game is isolation-based and wouldn't fit in the game 20-30 years ago. John Wall would have been terrible in the 80s-90s, and it would be interesting to (have) see
*Jordan's Bulls are not even a conversation piece. Jordan would savor the 1v1 competition and devour Westbrook at his own game and then let Kerr/Grant/Pippen destroy the rest of the opposition while Westbrook sat on the bench, fouled out and hooked up the IV.
The only teams I've seen in a long time that could match (in my eyes) Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics, or Jordan's Bulls are Curry's GSW (barely, if even) or Duncan's Spurs (very much a throwback to this bygone era.)
Guys who go to the hoop like Wall, Wade, LeBron and Westbrook would have been better back when there was illegal defense. All the best guards back in the 80-90s got to the hoop because you could iso them 1 on 1. Curry would have had it tougher, especially in the 90s where they could hand check the hell out him.
carlos21
KING OF REP
Morning Adam how are you today mate.
You're not helping my bias at all
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