- June 17th, 2007, 10:08 pm
#91684
I'll give Jordan his just due and put him on the team as the best two, however, he can't be regarded as the best ever when he's never even been double-teamed in his professional career. Players like Oscar Robertson and Dr. J had to deal with all kinds of defensive looks that were designed to stop them. Nothing epitimizes the Jordon that era better than when Mark Jackson, as a gaurd, would post his man up in the low post with his back to the basket and lay it in. Any effort to stop it and the whistle blows for illegal defense. Now had Jordon played with real basketball rules, with real defense, and if he were allowed only two steps off the dribble, then we'd have a better idea. If he could dominate under those conditions, then he could be arguably the best ever. For me, Big-O and Dr. J are tied for the best ever.
The Shaq is one of my favortive people with regard to personality. But his game is an absolute joke in terms of real basketball. He shoots like a handicapped person and he constantly fouls his opponent and it's hardly ever called. He's a myth created by poor officiating and ridiculous rules.
Julius Erving was versitile enough to play either the three or four, but he dominated with his inside game. Even when he played the three, he played it like a four. At 6-7, I'll put the doctor up against any power forward in any era.
Yes, Steve Nash is headed for greatness. He's as tough as nails; his leadership, playmaking, and ball-handling skills are as good as any of the all-timers; and he's a clutch scorer. He should have won his third straight MVP this season, but he missed it by a hair. Add a couple of decent players to that team and he'll start piling up championships.
Magic was a great player but lacked mobility due to his size and had limited range as an outside scorer. Certainly, he's a legitimate hall of famer. Someone mentioned Nate Archibald and Magic Johnson in the same breath. Nate Archibald was a perfect pinpoint passer, a dangerous penetrator, and a tremendous shooter, who had the range to consistently hit shots from anywhere on the floor. He was scary quick, and if you didn't bring your A game, he'd pick your pocket, over and over again. I'll give away 6 inches and take Tiny any day over Magic. In fact, I don't know very many people who witnessed both players and favor Magic over Tiny.
- By LU Armchair coach