Jan 14, 2016 Via ESPN.com @NBAsxn To create All-Time #NBArank, we put together a ballot with the 150 greatest players ever. Then our ESPN expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, with voting based on both peak performance and career value. The result is our all-time NBA Top 100. The Top 100 will begin to roll out next week. Meanwhile, we are presenting the top 10 by position. TOP 10 POINT GUARDS 1. Magic Johnson Teams Los Angeles Lakers (1979-91, 1995-96) Honors Three-time MVP (1986-87, 1988-89, 1989-90), three-time Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) Career stats 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, .520 FG% The player The greatest point guard in NBA history. Magic had unparalleled vision; he could see players get open and deliver the ball beforethey even realized they were open. He could play any spot on the court as well. --J.A. Adande His Game 6 in the 1980 Finals, while jumping center as a 20-year-old rookie, has to be on the Mt. Rushmore of greatest postseason performances in league history. --Micah Adams No one was more dynamic, or magical, with the ball in the open court than Earvin Johnson. He lifted the Lakers, and transition basketball, to ethereal levels. He was transcendent. -- Rob Peterson One can only imagine how impressive his career totals might have been if not for the HIV virus. He had the best peak for any point guard in NBA history, hands down. -- Kevin Pelton 2. Oscar Robertson Teams Cincinnati Royals (1960-70), Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74) Honors MVP (1963-64), 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (1960-61), Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1971) Career stats 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, .485 FG% The player Mr. Triple Double was so far ahead of his time in terms of size, speed, strength and stats. -- Peterson He was the forerunner of Magic Johnson and LeBron James, and it's telling that both of those stars revere the Big O. -- Brad Doolittle Robertson's averaging a triple-double in 1961-62 is probably overrated because it was a product of the fast-paced play in the 1960s, but his role in the Milwaukee Bucks' early '70s championship run is probably underrated. --Pelton Perhaps the most incredible part of the Big O's triple-double season is that he finished third in MVP voting (behind winner Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 50.4 PPG). -- Adams 3. John Stockton Teams Utah Jazz (1984-2003) Honors 10-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, .384 3P% The player Surely the most underappreciated great player in NBA history because he was quietly dependable rather than flashy and never broke through on the biggest stage. The true driving force of his partnership with Karl Malone. -- Pelton So precise with his passes and timely with his shots. His huge hands allowed him to pass as effectively with one hand as most could with two. -- Adande He led the NBA in assists nine straight seasons from 1987 to 1996. -- Adams He could hurt defenses in so many ways: Controlling tempo was one, and he was a h--- of a defender, too. -- Peterson 4. Stephen Curry Teams Golden State Warriors (2009-present) Honors MVP (2014-15), two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection Championships 1 (2015) Career stats 21.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.9 APG, .441 3P% The player The best shooter ever not just in terms of accuracy but also in creatively getting looks with but a sliver's opening and with unlimited range. -- Doolittle Over the past season and a half, Curry has played point guard as well as anyone else in NBA history. -- Pelton No player his size, 6-foot-3, has ever bent defenses to his will as Curry does. --Peterson He's one of only a few players in history who has been deemed too good for the sport's own good. -- Haberstroh 5. Isiah Thomas Teams Detroit Pistons (1981-94) Honors Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1989, 1990) Career stats 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG The player Thomas was ultra-quick with the ball and, at any moment, could pull up for a deadly jump shot. At 6-foot-1, he's the shortest NBA Finals MVP in league history, a reflection of his unique ability to dominate at the point guard position. -- Adande The only players in NBA history with more games with 20 points and 10 assists are Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. -- Adams Thomas was as tough as they come, could score with the best of them (such a sweet stroke) and, make no mistake, was the baddest of the Bad Boys. --Peterson Thomas' willingness to share the spotlight helped make the Bad Boy Pistons incredible, and he had a consistent ability to step up his game in the postseason during Detroit's title runs (and near miss in 1988). -- Pelton 6. Chris Paul Teams New Orleans Hornets (2005-11), Los Angeles Clippers, (2011-present) Honors Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, seven-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (2005-06) Championships None Career stats 18.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.9 APG, 2.3 SPG The player The classic definition of a point guard, orchestrating offense and shooting when necessary. One of the best -- and quickest -- lob passers the game has ever seen. -- Adande The best two-way small player in league history, Paul embodies the era in which he plays by running the pick-and-roll as well as anyone has ever run it. --Doolittle Perhaps someday Paul will reach the conference finals and we can focus more on his incredible accomplishments as a scorer, distributor and defender and less on his teams' inability to turn them into deep playoff runs. -- Pelton If he had played with The Mailman or a defense as stout as the Pistons, he might have made a couple of Finals by now. -- Peterson 7. Steve Nash Teams Phoenix Suns (1996-98, 2004-12), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-15) Honors Two-time MVP (2004-05, 2005-06), eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection Championships None Career stats 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, .428 3P% The player Wayne Gretzky on the court, Nash could hurt opponents by getting rid of the ball quickly or by holding on to it for so long that the defense finally made a mistake. -- Adande Nash is the only player in history to go 50-40-90 while averaging 10 assists per game. He did it not once, not twice, but three times. -- Adams For nine consecutive years, Nash's teams led the NBA in offensive rating. Still, Nash's greatest historical legacy will be paving the way for Stephen Curry and a new generation of point guards in a league that embraced point guards making plays with a wide-open court. -- Pelton Today's children will ask, "Who was the Steph Curry before Steph Curry?" Nash is the answer. -- Haberstroh 8. Jason Kidd Teams Dallas Mavericks (1994-96, 2008-12), Phoenix Suns (1996-2001), New Jersey Nets (2001-08), New York Knicks (2012-13) Honors 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-D selection, co-Rookie of the Year (1994-95) Championships 1 (2011) Career stats 12.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG The player Probably the most versatile point guard in NBA history, and perhaps a tad underrated given that the focus on his assists overshadowed how valuable his defense was. -- Kevin Pelton, NBA Insider May be the strongest point guard ever and consistently made everyone around him better. -- Tom Haberstroh, NBA writer No guard in NBA history pulled down more rebounds than Kidd, who finished with more career rebounds than Willis Reed and Alonzo Mourning, among others. -- Adams Combined savvy with underrated strength. Went from dominating games strictly with his passing to making the fifth-most 3-pointers in NBA history. --Adande 9. Walt Frazier Teams New York Knicks (1967-1977), Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-1980) Honors: 7-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA selection, 7-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1970, 1973)) Career stats 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, .490 FG% The player Paradoxically tough on the court and flashy off of it, Frazier epitomized the '70s-era backcourt style in which roles were less defined. -- Doolittle The great Knicks ball-movement offense started with him. -- Peterson A menace on both ends of the court, Frazier was at his best in the 1970 NBA Finals when tallied 36 points, 19 assists, 7 rebounds in a title-clinching Game 7. -- Adams The fashion forerunner to Russell Westbrook. -- Adande 10. Bob Cousy Teams Boston Celtics (1950-1963), Cincinnati Royals (1969-70) Honors MVP (1956-57), 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) Career stats 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5APG, .375 FG% The player The undisputed first great point guard, Cousy remains the only guard in NBA history to be named First-Team All-NBA in 10 straight seasons. -- Adams An early ballhandling wizard, he was a point guard who was a focal point at a time when the game was dominated by big men. -- Adande Possessed incredible court vision and creativity, all while orchestrating the frenetic game pace of his era. -- Doolittle Cousy was an And-1 mix tape in black-and-white. He was a master at leading the fastbreak, which led to Celtics titles. When people think of NBA point guards, he set the mold. -- Peterson Do you guys agree with their list? Personally I wouldn't have Curry above Isiah, CP3, Nash, or Kidd. What would your top 10 be?
Jan 14, 2016 TOP 10 SHOOTING GUARDS 1. Michael Jordan Teams Chicago Bulls (1984-93, 1995-98), Washington Wizards (2001-03) Honors Five-time MVP (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98), six-time Finals MVP, 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-D selection, 10-time NBA scoring champion, Defensive Player of the Year (1987-88), Rookie of the Year (1984-85), Hall of Fame Championships 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) Career stats 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, .497 FG% The player The GOAT. I have nothing insightful to add here. -- Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider The best combination of brains, guile, athleticism and competitiveness in NBA history. He could do everything, and no one's done it better at any position. -- Rob Peterson, ESPN.com People understandably talk about his six championships and 10 scoring titles, but Jordan once reeled off 10 triple-doubles in an 11-game stretch and led the NBA in scoring and steals in the same season three times. -- Micah Adams, ESPN Stats & Info His impact is still felt to this day. Who else could sell 25-year-old sneakers at $200 a pop to a generation of kids who never even saw him play? -- Adam Reisinger, ESPN.com 2. Kobe Bryant Teams Los Angeles Lakers (1996-present) Honors MVP (2007-08), two-time Finals MVP, 17-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA selection, two-time NBA scoring champion Championships 5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) Career stats 25.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, .449 FG% The player Was Kobe the next Michael Jordan? Not quite, but he came as close as anyone who tried and created a legend of his own in the process. -- Reisinger The greatest maker of tough shots in NBA history, and I mean that as both a compliment and a criticism. -- Pelton Few players have been the subject of as much debate, but he won five titles and ranks as the third all-time leading scorer; it won't take long before we wonder what all the arguing was about. -- Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider Love him or hate him, we won't see another player like Kobe. -- Peterson 3. Jerry West Teams Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974) Honors Finals MVP (1969), 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1972) Career stats 27.0 PPG, 6.7 APG, 2.6 SPG, .474 FG% The player A legendary performer in the postseason, West averaged 40.6 points per game in the 1965 playoffs (Jordan is the only other player in NBA history to average 40 points per game for an entire postseason) and remains the only player from a losing team to win Finals MVP (in 1969). -- Adams Consider how great you have to be to earn a reputation as one of the best clutch performers ever despite your team losing eight times in nine trips to the Finals. Only West could do it. -- Pelton What amazes me most about West is how he switched to point guard late in his career ... and led the league in assist average. -- Doolittle As relentlessly competitive and prolific as Jordan; there's a reason West's silhouette is the NBA's logo. -- Peterson 4. Dwyane Wade Teams Miami Heat (2003-present) Honors Finals MVP (2006), 11-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-D selection, NBA scoring champion (2008-09) Championships 3 (2006, 2012, 2013) Career stats 23.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.8 APG, .489 FG% The player One of the rare athletes who, in his prime, could do anything on either end of the floor, whether it was flying to the rim or, as one of the best shot-blocking guards of all time, denying at the rim. -- Peterson It's a testament to Wade's uncanny shot-making and driving ability that he's considered one of the greatest shooting guards of all time despite never developing a reliable jump shot. -- Adams Wade is responsible for one of the best individual Finals performances of all time when he brought the Heat back from a nearly 3-0 deficit in the Finals to win his first ring, averaging 34.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 3.8 APG. -- Reisinger Wade's willingness to adapt his game to fit around Hall of Famers Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James in service of winning titles will be his legacy. --Doolittle 5. Clyde Drexler Teams Portland Trail Blazers (1983-1995), Houston Rockets (1995-1998) Honors 10-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1995) Career stats 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG The player I can think of no worse timing than being a high-flying shooting guard at the same time as Michael Jordan. Drexler would have owned most other eras, and deservedly so. -- Pelton A tremendous pure athlete, Drexler had to develop the skill part of his game at the NBA level and did so with great success. -- Doolittle Drexler averaged more rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Kobe Bryant for his career, while also shooting a higher percentage from the floor. And Drexler never missed the postseason during his 15-year career. -- Adams Though he couldn't get Portland over the hump, getting a ring with the Rockets put the cherry on top of an excellent career. -- Reisinger 6. Allen Iverson Teams Philadelphia 76ers (1996-2006, 2009-2010) Denver Nuggets (2006-2008) Detroit Pistons (2008-2009) Memphis Grizzlies (2009) Honors MVP (2000-01) 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, four-time NBA scoring champion, Rookie of the Year (1996-97) Championships None Career stats 26.7 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.2 SPG The player Often referred to as the best "pound for pound" player of his time, Iverson remains a larger-than-life figure to basketball fans of his generation. --Reisinger He stands as the paragon of an era where creating difficult shots was preferable to scoring easy ones. -- Pelton While the isolation plays he loved are going out of favor, his combination of athleticism and relentlessness helped carry many offensively challenged Sixers squads into the postseason. -- Peterson The signature Reeboks, the cornrows, the long shorts, the swagger. The Answer is on the short list of the most influential players in league history. -- Adams 7. George Gervin Teams San Antonio Spurs (1976-1985) Chicago Bulls (1985-1986) Honors Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, four-time NBA scoring champion Championships None Career stats 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, .511 FG% The player So smooth that it wasn't until you looked at the stat sheet that you noticed he had dropped 35 on you. He was the epitome of effortlessness. -- Peterson Among the handful of most iconic signature moves in basketball history, Gervin's finger roll has to rank up there. -- Doolittle Professional scorer. Efficient from the perimeter in the era before the 3-point line. -- Pelton One of the greatest scorers of all time, Gervin's four scoring titles are bested only by Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. -- Adams 8. Ray Allen Teams Milwaukee Bucks (1996-2003), Seattle SuperSonics (2003-2007), Boston Celtics (2007-2012), Miami Heat (2012-2014) Honors 10-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection Championships 2 (2008, 2013) Career stats 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, .400 3PT% The player Maybe the purest shooter of all time, Ray Allen's stroke is the basketball equivalent of Ken Griffey Jr.'s swing. The all-time leader in made 3-pointers, nobody created more fear off the ball than Allen. -- Adams He really proved how, in the 21st century, a player could provide elite value without dominating the ball. -- Doolittle Everybody knows about the shooting, but it wasn't until he got to Seattle that Allen really got to showcase his underrated all-around game, including the ability to create off the dribble. -- Pelton His work ethic led to precision which led to his sangfroid when the chips were down. Just ask the Spurs. -- Peterson 9. Reggie Miller Teams Indiana Pacers (1987-2005) Honors Five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, .395 3PT% The player Miller's shooting form challenged the orthodoxy of what a great shooter looked like, but he could get his shot off and make it consistently with range. --Doolittle His career had a relatively low peak, but what longevity! According to Basketball-Reference.com, only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more seasons with six-plus win shares. -- Pelton Miller's playoff exploits, even without a title to go with them, are legendary, perhaps in part because they so often came at the hands of the Knicks. --Reisinger Antagonistic and cold-blooded with the skills to back it up. A classic "I don't like him, but would love to have him on my team" kind of player. -- Peterson 10. Earl Monroe Teams Baltimore Bullets (1967-1971), New York Knicks (1971-1980) Honors Four-time All-Star, All-NBA selection (1968-69), Rookie of the Year (1967-68), Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1973) Career stats 18.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.0 RPG, .464 FG% The player One of the first -- and best -- combo guards. He could run the offense or k--- you without the ball. -- Peterson Monroe could have been one of the NBA's greatest point guards of all time, but ended up sharing a backcourt with Walt Frazier. So he applied his skills to becoming a legendary shooting guard. -- Reisinger Monroe was one of the most creative scorers of his time. Had he played today's era, he would have been a regular on the SC Top 10. -- Adams Not particularly athletic, Pearl was one of the game's great improvisers, fondly remembered for his style as much as his substance. -- Doolittle Do you guys agree with this top 10? If not, what would be yours? T-Mac & Vince Carter would be in the top 10 for me, not sure where but I'd definitely have them over Miller & Monroe.
Jan 14, 2016 TOP 10 SMALL FORWARDS 1. LeBron James Teams Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010, 2014-present), Miami Heat (2010-2014) Honors Four-time MVP (2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13), two-time Finals MVP, 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, six-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (2003-04), NBA scoring champion (2007-08) Championships 2 (2012, 2013) Career stats 27.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.9 APG, .496 FG% The player It's almost unfair to label him as a small forward, because he plays with the strength of a power forward and the ballhandling abilities of a point guard. --J.A. Adande, ESPN.com No weaknesses. Runs the offense as a point forward while still dropping nearly 30 points per game. The game's most powerful and effective force for a decade. -- Chris Broussard, ESPN The Magazine The best combination of size, speed and strength in NBA history. Combine that with a basketball IQ that's off the charts and you have one of the greatest the game has ever seen. -- Rob Peterson, ESPN.com If LeBron retired tomorrow, he'd leave as the greatest small forward in league history based on his four MVPs, and he's already among the top 10 in all-time win shares, according to Basketball-Reference.com. -- Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider 2. Larry Bird Teams Boston Celtics (1979-1992) Honors Three-time MVP (1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86), two-time Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1979-80) Championships 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) Career stats 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, .496 FG% The player Bird was an unbelievable shooter, of course, but it was his mind that really set him apart. He anticipated what teammates and opponents alike were going to do before they themselves knew. Few players have embraced pressure moments with such relish. -- Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider He could pass, s---t, rebound, lead the break and k--- you as the trailer. Bird was whip-smart and demoralized the best of them with or without the rock in his hands. -- Peterson How dominant was Bird's peak? In 1984-85 and 1985-86, Bird received a combined 146 of a possible 156 first-place MVP votes. That's the largest percentage of first-place votes that any player has ever had over any two-year span. -- Micah Adams, ESPN Stats & Info He had the full array of skills and was the NBA's top 3-point threat in his day; it makes you wonder how he'd use that weapon in this era. -- Adande 3. Julius Erving Teams Philadelphia 76ers (1976-1987) Honors MVP (1980-81), 11-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1983) Career stats 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, .507 FG% The player Dr. J is the father of the modern NBA, the one who took the game off the floor and made it an airborne league. If you add his ABA stats, he's a top-six scorer in the history of the sport. -- Adande A cultural icon. Not the first to dunk, but unquestionably the "Godfather of the Jam." Outstanding one-on-one talent who was also a total team player. --Broussard Dr. J's up-and-under layup from behind the backboard while palming the ball remains one of the most recognizable plays in league history. He did things that nobody before him ever did on a basketball court. -- Adams The word "mystique" should have been invented for Dr. J. His game is as indelible as anyone's. -- Doolittle 4. Kevin Durant Teams Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-present) Honors MVP (2013-14), six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (2007-08), four-time NBA scoring champion Championships None Career stats 27.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, .482 FG% The player Absolutely impossible to guard. A near 7-footer with unlimited range, a 2-guard's handle, and finishing ability. -- Broussard Right on schedule at age 27, he's reaching his full potential. He's taking his passing and defending to the next level, while making the highest percentage of shots of his career. -- Adande Keep in mind that nobody behind him on the list has won an NBA MVP. Durant has already surpassed them in peak value. -- Pelton If he can stay healthy, there might not be a better bet in terms of the player most likely to catch Kareem atop the all-time scoring list. -- Adams 5. Elgin Baylor Teams Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958-1972) Honors 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (1958-59), Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, .431 FG% The player The forerunner of every high-flying small forward in NBA history. -- Peterson One of the NBA's original NBA acrobats and an underrated rebounder. He grabbed more career rebounds than anyone else on this list. -- Adande Likely undervalued historically due to playing in an era with Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell, Baylor is in the conversation of greatest players never to win an MVP award. -- Adams Baylor is in elite company as one of nine players in league history to make the All-NBA First Team at least 10 times -- a group that could add LeBron James this season. -- Pelton 6. Scottie Pippen Teams Chicago Bulls (1987-1998, 2003-2004), Houston Rockets (1998-1999), Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003) Honors Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, 10-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) Career stats 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG The player Smothering defender with big scoring and playmaking ability. Pippen is arguably the greatest "Robin'' in league history. -- Broussard Pippen set the standard for what the second-best player on a championship team should look like. Great defense, great passing and (mostly) supreme unselfishness. -- Doolittle The perfect complement to Michael Jordan. If Pippen didn't have such an all-around game we might have called him the first 3-and-D guy. -- Adande One of the great sidekicks in NBA history and, as he proved in 1993-94, capable of being more than what was required of him during his prime years. -- Pelton 7. John Havlicek Teams Boston Celtics (1962-1978) Honors Finals MVP (1974), 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, eight-time All-D selection Championships 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) Career stats 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, .439 FG% The player Hondo was a star sixth man before anyone thought of giving out an award for such things, and was part of most of those Celtics titles in the '60s. Then he was the best player on a whole different group of championship-winning Boston teams in the '70s. That's pretty good. -- Doolittle A model of consistent excellence and an eight-time NBA champion, Hondo did a little bit of everything for the Celtics, whether it was coming off the bench earlier in his career or wining the '74 Finals MVP. -- Peterson He often gets overlooked when discussing the game's greatest scorers. Only a handful of players in his era scored more points than he did, and they're all single-name guys: Wilt, Kareem, Moses, Elvin and Oscar. -- Adande It's Havlicek -- not Bird, Cousy, or Russell -- who holds career records for games played and points scored in a Celtics uniform. -- Adams 8. Rick Barry Teams San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1965-1967, 1972-1978), Houston Rockets (1978-1980) Honors Finals MVP (1975), eight-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (1965-66), NBA scoring champion (1966-67) Championships 1 (1975) Career stats 23.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.0 SPG The player One of the greatest, most skilled perimeter talents the game has seen, Barry could do it all offensively. He's the most underrated superstar in basketball history. -- Broussard Barry led the NBA in scoring in 1967 with the highest per-game average (35.8) ever by someone not named Chamberlain or Jordan. As symbolized by his underhanded free throw style, he used whatever method he could to win. --Peterson Barry was not just an ace shooter who shot granny-style free throws. He was a unique and dominant all-around player who made his mark in two leagues. When the NBA adopted the 3-point line for his last season, Barry was among the first to exploit the new rule. -- Doolittle He helped expand the concept of shooting range for small forwards. -- Adande 9. James Worthy Teams Los Angeles Lakers (1982-1994) Honors Finals MVP (1988), Seven-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 3 (1985, 1987, 1988) Career stats 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, .521 FG% The player Worthy had the speed to beat his opponents down the floor, and the quick moves to beat them in the low post. He was the Finals MVP on the last of the Showtime championship teams. -- Adande He ran the floor better than anyone for the Showtime Lakers, could knock down open jumpers and was a great post player with a spin move that made him look like the Tasmanian Devil. -- Doolittle Efficient and smooth, Big Game James never shot worse than 53 percent in a season during the first eight years of his career. -- Peterson Worthy is the author of perhaps the best championship-clinching performance in a Game 7 in NBA history, delivering 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to knock off the Pistons in a 3-point win in 1988. -- Adams 10. Dominique Wilkins Teams Atlanta Hawks (1982-1994) Los Angeles Clippers (1994), Boston Celtics (1994-1995), San Antonio Spurs (1996-1997), Orlando Magic (1998-1999) Honors Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, NBA scoring champion (1985-86), Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG .461 FG% The player 'Nique is known for his dunking, but he could also score in a wide variety of ways. -- Adande Few players have ever been more explosive. In his prime, he could go toe-to-toe with Bird, Jordan and anyone else. -- Doolittle For a 10-year period, the Human Highlight Film never averaged fewer than 26 points per game per season. -- Peterson It's almost a shame that the most vivid memories many people have of Wilkins is of him dunking alongside Michael Jordan in an exhibition. -- Adams @NBAsxn
Jan 14, 2016 TOP 10 POWER FORWARDS 10. Dennis Rodman Teams Detroit Pistons (1986-1993), San Antonio Spurs (1993-1995), Chicago Bulls (1995-1998), Los Angeles Lakers (1998-99), Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000) Honors Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 5 (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998) Career stats 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG .521 FG% The player Forget the sideshows and hair styles. No one who has ever played this sport wanted to rebound the basketball more. -- Marc Stein, ESPN.com His off-court antics overshadowed how important he was to five NBA championship teams. -- Rob Peterson, ESPN.com He's the answer to what happens when a smart and talented player dedicates himself to one aspect of the game. Rodman led the league in rebounding average an unprecedented seven consecutive years. -- J.A. Adande, ESPN.com In those seven seasons from 1991-92 to 1997-98, he had 33 games in which he pulled down at least 25 rebounds. No other player did it more than four times in that span. -- Micah Adams, ESPN Stats & Info 9. Pau Gasol Teams Memphis Grizzlies (2001-2008) Los Angeles Lakers (2008-2014), Chicago Bulls (2014-pres.) Honors Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (2001-02) Championships 2 (2009, 2010) Career stats 18.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG, .511 FG% The player Gasol might be the most skilled big man of his era; he could use his right or left hand in the post, s---t the elbow jumper, and pass the ball. -- Adams Steady and cerebral, Gasol's rebounding numbers have risen as he's gotten deeper into his NBA career. -- Peterson His ability to swing between power forward and center set up one of the great modern frontcourts, which helped the Lakers to a pair of championships. --Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider He outplayed Dwight Howard in the 2009 NBA Finals and had a good case for MVP in the 2010 Finals. An accurate shooter for so long that every miss seemed like an aberration. -- Adande 8. Elvin Hayes Teams San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-1972, 1981-1984), Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972-1981) Honors 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, two-time All-D selection, NBA scoring champion (1968-69) Championships 1 (1978) Career stats 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG, .452 FG% The player The Big E played in an era in which he was overshadowed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he managed to make his mark at both the college and pro levels. He was the forerunner of Karl Malone. -- Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider A 20-and-10 guy for each of the first 12 years of his career, Hayes never missed more than two games in a season. -- Adande The Big E was built in the mold of Bob Pettit, a scoring power forward who could vacuum up boards. And his turnaround was unstoppable. -- Peterson He led the NBA in points per game as a rookie back in 1968-69, something no player has done since, and was the best player on the late-1970s Bullets, one of the best "forgotten teams" in league history. -- Adams 7. Bob Pettit Teams Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954-1965) Honors Two-time MVP (1955-56, 1958-59), 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year (1954-55) Championships 1 (1958) Career stats 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, .436 FG% The player Centers and guards were the scorers in his day. Power forwards grabbed boards. Pettit was one of the first to do both extremely well, never averaging less than 24.6 point per game or 12.4 rebounds per game in a season. -- Peterson One of the prototype high scorers. Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West were the only players who got to the league before Pettit and averaged more career points than him. -- Adande In the '60s, Pettit maintained his production as the league improved rapidly during the decade. His greatness might be more obvious had he not retired at age 32 to work in banking. -- Pelton You can sum up his greatness in one anecdote: When St. Louis won the 1958 title, Pettit scored 50 points in the clincher against a hobbled Bill Russell. Those Hawks were the only team to beat Russell's Celtics between 1957 and 1966. --Doolittle 6. Kevin McHale Teams Boston Celtics (1980-1993) Honors Seven-time All-Star, All-NBA selection (1986-87), two-time Sixth Man of the Year, six-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) Career stats 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG, .554 FG% The player Legendary for his footwork and low-post moves, McHale is a legit top-10 power forward even though he came off the bench for more than half of his career games. -- Adande His turnaround shot was deadly accurate and unblockable, but his up-and-under move will always be the one burned in my brain. -- Doolittle Guarding McHale in the post was aptly referred to as "The Torture Chamber." --Adams How many times have we heard Charles Barkley say that McHale, with those unforgettably long arms and that clever post game, was the toughest opponent he ever faced? Not much else needs to be said. -- Stein 5. Kevin Garnett Teams Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007, 2015-pres.) Boston Celtics (2007-2013), Brooklyn Nets (2013-2015) Honors MVP (2003-04), 15-time All-Star, 9-time All-NBA selection, Defensive Player of the Year (2007-08), 12-time All-D selection Championships 1 (2008) Career stats 17.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG, .497 FG% The player There are only a few players who can state that they were at one time the best player in the world, and Garnett is on that list. One of the most versatile and intense players ever. -- Doolittle Garnett carried the burden of being his team's best scorer, rebounder, playmaker and defender for years before settling in as the ultra-competitive defensive anchor and motivator in Boston. -- Adams He gets dinged for his overall playoff track record, but proved during his Boston years that he could anchor a championship team when surrounded by other scoring options. -- Pelton A groundbreaker in terms of ushering in the modern era of players jumping directly from high school to the pros. And he'll be remembered as the most ferocious competitor of his era. -- Stein 4. Charles Barkley Teams Philadelphia 76ers (1984-1992), Phoenix Suns (1992-1996), Houston Rockets (1996-2000) Honors MVP (1992-93), 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.5 SPG, .541 FG% The player He was a force of nature, then a savvy all-round player in his later years. You might find statistical comps but there will never be another player in his mold. -- Adande Nobody was better at grabbing rebounds and going coast-to-coast. -- Adams He was so dominant in the paint, but also a flat-out great shooter inside the arc. The numbers absolutely love him because of his efficiency. -- Doolittle Simply the greatest undersized big man we've ever seen. And so entertaining, in terms of personality, that he remains as popular as any figure in the sport ... long after he stopped actually playing. -- Stein 3. Dirk Nowitzki Teams Dallas Mavericks (1998-pres.) Honors MVP (2006-07), Finals MVP (2010-11), 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection Championships 1 (2011) Career stats 22.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, .475 FG% The player Undoubtedly the best European player in NBA history -- and there haven't been that many better players born in America either. -- Pelton All he's done is revolutionize the power forward position as Europe's greatest-ever import and the sweetest-shooting big man we've ever seen. -- Stein Dirk's one-legged, high-arcing fallaway from the mid-to-high post is on the short list of impossible-to-guard moves. -- Adams As tough and competitive as they come, Dirk shattered the stereotype of the soft European big man.-- Peterson 2. Karl Malone Teams Utah Jazz (1985-2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-2004) Honors Two-time MVP (1996-97, 1998-99), 14-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA selection, four-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, .516 FG% The player The second-most prolific scorer in NBA history, The Mailman could hurt you inside, from the elbow, and with his elbows. -- Peterson He is the only player in NBA history to be named First-Team All-NBA in 11 consecutive seasons. -- Adams His improvement from a sub-.500 free-throw shooter as a rookie to 74 percent for his career shows you the type of work he put in to improve. Sure, John Stockton set him up for a lot of baskets, but Malone usually outran his defender to get them. -- Adande You can't say the words "pick and roll" without thinking about The Mailman and his little buddy Stockton. As consistent, and tough, as anyone who has ever played in this league. -- Stein 1. Tim Duncan Teams San Antonio Spurs (1997-pres.) Honors Two-time MVP (2001-02, 2002-03), three-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA selection, 15-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1997-98) Championships 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) Career stats 19.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.2 BPG, .506 FG% The player The ultimate franchise player. For two decades, small-market San Antonio has built team after team around him, with so many different supporting casts. All he does is smooch in those bank shots. And win. -- Stein Duncan is this generation's answer to Bill Russell. Fundamentals, consistency, quiet excellence and winning above all else; Duncan embodies everything basketball should be about. -- Doolittle The only all-time great whose talent might be secondary to his temperament. His team-oriented attitude produced the longest run of sustained success the NBA has seen. -- Adande At this point I wonder if calling Duncan the greatest power forward ever almost does him a disservice. His resume stands with nearly any of the great big men of all time, power forwards and centers. -- Pelton Full list of PF has been released @NBAsxn
Jan 14, 2016 TOP 10 CENTERS 1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Teams Mikwaukee Bucks (1969-75), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89) Honors Six-time MVP (1970-71, 1971-72, 1973-74, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1979-80), two-time Finals MVP, 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA selection, 10-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1969-70), Hall of Fame Championships 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) Career stats 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG, .559 FG% The player More MVPs than anyone. More career points than anyone. More career Win Shares than anyone. Simply put, there might not be a more complete career than Abdul-Jabbar's. -- Adams His sky hook was the most unstoppable shot in NBA history. And he could play D, pass and hit his free throws, too. -- Peterson No player in NBA history has combined peak value with longevity as well as Abdul-Jabbar. It's incredible to think Abdul-Jabbar won Finals MVPs 14 years apart. -- Pelton While the public often overlooks him in discussions about the game's greatest player, league insiders and legends always mention him when considering who's the G.O.A.T. -- Broussard 2. Wilt Chamberlain Teams Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors(1959-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-68), Los Angeles Lakers (1968-74) Honors Four-time MVP (1959-60, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1967-68), Finals MVP (1972), 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, two-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1959-60), Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1967, 1972) Career stats 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, .540 FG% The player Chamberlain was larger than life in every sense of the word. -- Doolittle A real-life Superman who's previously unheard of combination of size, skill and athleticism took the world by storm. Statistically, the most dominant individual in the history of American sports. He set records that no one will ever come close to breaking. -- Broussard Wilt averaged 47.6 points over a two-season period and grabbed 20 or more boards per game for 12 consecutive seasons. The most awesome offensive force in basketball history. -- Peterson He was so dominant that the NBA literally changed the dimensions of the painted area to try and offset his presence on the block. -- Adams 3. Bill Russell Teams Boston Celtics (1956-69) Honors Five-time MVP (1957-58, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65), 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, All-D selection (1968-69), Hall of Fame Championships 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) Career stats 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, .440 FG% The player A defensive genius who epitomized the words leader, team and champion. The greatest winner in the history of American sports. -- Broussard Never an elite scorer, no player impacted the game in more ways or made more winning plays than Russell. -- Adams He stepped up when it mattered most. By my metrics, no all-time great contributed a higher percentage of his overall value in the postseason than Russell. -- Pelton Russell's career is impossible to refute at the most fundamental level of sports: winning. - Doolittle 4. Shaquille O'Neal Teams Orlando Magic (1992-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-08), Phoenix Suns (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10), Boston Celtics (2010-11) Honors MVP (1999-2000), three-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1992-1993) Championships 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) Career stats 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG, .582 FG% The player The best center of his generation and possibly the last great center in NBA history. His sheer size and strength overwhelmed opponents, but he also had a deft touch around the rim and carried the Lakers to three straight NBA titles. --Peterson Surprisingly nimble and athletic, he is the biggest, most powerful force the game has ever known. He won four titles and some think he still underachieved; that's how good he was. -- Broussard When basketball analytics were in their infancy, the "Shaq test" was a good way to evaluate player metrics: if O'Neal wasn't best on a per-minute basis, something was wrong with your system. -- Pelton An immense force down low and perhaps an even bigger character in the locker room. He was the Wilt Chamberlain of the modern game. -- Stein 5. Hakeem Olajuwon Teams Houston Rockets (1984-01), Toronto Raptors (2001-02) Honors MVP (1993-94), two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1994, 1995) Career stats 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 3.1 BPG, .512 FG% The player A groundbreaker in terms of bringing footwork and agility to post play. The first of Houston's two back-to-back championships was particularly memorable, because Hakeem was essentially the Rockets' lone star, surrounded by a clutch of quality role players. There haven't been many NBA champions over the years featuring this sort of one-star construction. -- Stein Created and mastered moves that have never been seen by a big man before or since. On top of that, he was the greatest defensive center ever not named Bill Russell. -- Broussard Olajuwon's path is truly amazing. He arrived in Houston for college with one developed skill: The ability to play volleyball with opponents' shots. Three decades later, All-Star-caliber players go to Hakeem to learn the fundamentals of post play. -- Doolittle It's a testament to his athletic abilities that Olajuwon himself declared that "The Dream Shake" was actually something he came up with while playing soccer, not basketball. -- Adams 6. Moses Malone Teams Utah Stars (1974-75), Spirits of St. Louis (1975-76), Buffalo Braves (1976), Houston Rockets (1976-82), Philadelphia 76ers (1982-86, 1993-94), Washington Bullets (1986-88), Atlanta Hawks (1988-91), Milwaukee Bucks (1991-93), San Antonio Spurs (1994-95) Honors Three-time MVP (1978-79, 1981-82, 1982-83), Finals MVP (1983), 12-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, two-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 1 (1983) Career stats 20.3 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG, .495 FG% The player You know you're good when you become synonymous with an adjective, which for Malone was "relentless." He outworked opponents on his way to the Hall of Fame and was the best player in the NBA for a good two to three years. --Doolittle The king of lunch-bucket basketball, he was an incomparable force on the offensive glass and teamed with Dr. J to make the '83 Sixers one of the greatest teams of all time. -- Broussard Malone might be the only superstar player who identifies as an NBA vagabond of sorts. Including his time in the ABA, Malone played for nine different franchises, making him the most traveled Hall of Famer. -- Adams Of the eight players to win three MVP awards, Malone is probably the least appreciated. -- Peterson 7. David Robinson Teams San Antonio Spurs (1989-2003) Honors MVP (1994-95), 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, 8-time All-D selection, Defensive Player of the Year (1991-92), Rookie of the Year (1989-90), Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1999, 2003) Career stats 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG, .518 FG% The player A lefty who excelled at both ends and could run the floor like a small forward. The Admiral was the centerpiece for a small-market team that badly needed one and later a sidekick to Tim Duncan who willingly bequeathed his role as face of the franchise with uncommon grace. -- Marc Stein, ESPN.com Skilled enough to lead the league in scoring and one of the best defenders in the league, Robinson was a consummate team player and leader. -- Doolittle While he wasn't as productive in the playoffs, Robinson consistently outrated Hakeem Olajuwon in the regular season thanks to his efficient style of play. --Pelton The foundation of a Spurs dynasty that continues to this day. -- Broussard 8. Patrick Ewing Teams New York Knicks (1985-2000) Seattle SuperSonics (2000-01), Orlando Magic (2001-02) Honors 11-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA selection, 3-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1985-86), Hall of Fame Championships None Career stats 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG, .504 FG% The player A force on both ends of the floor. Ewing is often slighted and underrated because he never delivered New York a title, but he never had a healthy perennial All-Star teammate during his prime. -- Broussard His toughness and defensive presence were the foundation of everything New York accomplished in the '90s. -- Doolittle Ewing had the misfortune of being stuck in the same conference as Michael Jordan and playing at the same time as David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon. -- Adams Had he come along 10 years later, Ewing might have been the league's best center. -- Pelton 9. George Mikan Teams Minneapolis Lakers (1947-56), also played in the NBL and the BAA Honors 4-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA selection, Hall of Fame Championships 7 (1947-NBL, 1948-NBL, 1949-BAA, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) Career stats 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, .404 FG% The player The first great center, Mikan brought glory to the Lakers franchise long before Wilt, Kareem and Shaq ever put on purple and gold. -- Adams The single most difficult player to rank in NBA history. Dominant in his era, but because of physical advantages that quickly dissipated as the league became more athletic. --Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider We don't have the tools to truly measure Mikan's on-court impact, but it's visible more than a half-century after he quit playing: the 24-second clock came into being because of him. -- Doolittle He has a shooting drill named after him. The league widened the lane because of him. Teams stalled to blunt his effectiveness on offense. No man had a greater impact on the early NBA than George Mikan. -- Peterson 10. Bill Walton Teams Portland Trail Blazers (1974-79), San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers (1979-84), Boston Celtics (1985-87) Honors MVP (1977-78), Finals MVP (1977), Sixth Man of the Year (1985-86), 2-time All-Star, 2-time All-NBA selection, 2-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame Championships 2 (1977, 1986) Career stats 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.2 BPG The player A passer without peer at the center position. No player ever stopped him, only injuries. Had he been healthy, he probably would have built a dynasty in Portland. -- Chris Broussard, ESPN The Magazine One of the best team players ever; the prototypical John Wooden player. -- Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider Few, if any, centers threw the outlet pass as well as Walton. When he was healthy in the '70s, he challenged Kareem as the best center. -- Rob Peterson, ESPN.com MVP, Finals MVP, Sixth Man of the Year and two-time champion. Not bad for someone who essentially never had a prime due to lingering foot injuries. --Micah Adams, ESPN Stats & Info Top 10 C finally released @NBAsxn Off of 1st glance I'd probably replace Mikan & Walton w/ Alonzo & Mutombo. Top 5 is absolutely stacked.
Jan 14, 2016 I'm happy with Curry being above CP3, but I'm not sure about Isiah Thomas. Maybe after this season when Curry wins the Championship and MVP it would be fair.
Jan 14, 2016 My thing is Curry just hit this level of play last season while CP3 has been putting in work for 10 years. Just a little pre-mature IMO.
Jan 14, 2016 Talk about being prisoners of the moment. Let's see if he can keep up this level of play for 3-4 more seasons. #4 OAT is a joke. Magic disagreed as well.
Jan 14, 2016 Yeah I suppose I got carried away with his potential. But the list said they voted based on both peak performance and career value. Curry has been in insane form. But yeah I wouldn't put Curry above Isiah yet. That SG list. Greatest position of all time.
Jan 14, 2016 Maybe it's just childhood nostalgia but it bothers me that T-Mac & VC aren't on that list.
Jan 14, 2016 Curry gets blown by on D all the time a lot of the PG's on the list if not all of them were much better defenders than curry.
Jan 14, 2016 All of them except Nash are. He routinely hides on other players while Klay checks the 1s.
Jan 14, 2016 agreed, nash was trash can't talk s--- about my boy steve tho. we're distantly related haha
Jan 14, 2016 Hahaha no f---ing way!? I'll always secretly hate him for stealing those MVPs from Kobe.
Jan 14, 2016 yeah haha i mean super distant tho... it's something like my mom's cousin's family plus some marriage stuff i don't really know lol... i just know if there's ever a family reunion, i better meet him. maaan nash was the s--- tho so i'm glad he took those away from kobe haha
Jan 14, 2016 f--- that bruh. He was dope but definitely a product of the system he was in. Kobe dragged Smush Parker Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm to the playoffs while assassinating defenses in the process. Maybe just the Kobe stan in me talking but I think he deserved at least 1 of them.
Jan 14, 2016 nah you're definitely right kobe deserved at least one... the league was obsessed with nash tho and they always get tired of giving mvp to the same guy year after year. kinda how lebron hardly wins any more. those heat teams? we were barely a playoff team without him, if that. he was clearly the most valuable player but the league got bored and handed it to others like your boy rose (he was deserving too)
Jan 14, 2016 You're right though, they loved Nash. You could even argue Shaq deserved one w/ Miami tbh.
