Not trying to be an argumentative arl-arse (which I am), just trying to point out how exceptionally elite the club of NBA Champions has become. Personally, I think Hakeem is better than Shaq and probably #3 or #4 all time big men, but most don't see it that way. Wade is tremendous, as was Hakeem, but it is very difficult to win a title.
They are wrong.
Although Shaq vs Hakeem is a fair argument. I'm just judging based on the year of the win rather than careers. In my opinion (which is always objectively accurate) Wade deserves more credit for 06 than Kobe deserves for his first two titles. Now, Kobe is a better all time player, sure. But 2006 Wade was better than 2000 Kobe.
Winning in the NBA requires a top shelf talent for sure. But that talent needs to be top shelf
that year not all time. Often those are one in the same (see 99% of those listed), but they don't have to be.
Given that criteria who would be players this year that could carry a team to a title?
Harden, Curry, Lebron (obviously), Russ (sadface), and Davis.
Davis, Harden (and obviously Russ) don't have the pieces to do it on their own this year, and Davis is still a year or two out from that frankly not mattering.
San Antonio have enough pieces that even though no single Spur can be classed today as that level, they could still pull it out. And they have Pop, which is kind of like having a top tier player.
In the end I agree with you. I can't see past Cleveland or Golden State. San Antonio is going to run a gauntlet, Harden doesn't have enough help. Davis isn't ready. The Hawks peaked too early (and the whole Thabo thing). I guess the Clippers could surprise me, but I doubt it.
The rest just make up the field.
