Tag Archives: NBA

2016 NBA Playoff Predictions: Round 2!

May 2, 2016 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

So long Houston, LA, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit, Indiana, Charlotte and Boston. Boston and LA just had a rough deal with injuries. Dallas just doesn’t have enough talent and their best player is just about at the end. It’s too early for Detroit. Indiana had the series in the palm of their hand, but lineups without Paul George were just too awful for Indiana to survive with. George is like the poor man’s LeBron, which really isn’t intended as an insult. Memphis gets some credit for getting to the playoffs with all of their injuries, but this is a team that’s window has closed and is on its way down. Houston of course, is an embarrassment this year and that only continued with their poor playoff showing. Anyway, series wise we went 5-3 last round. Let’s see how we do here.

Western Conference

#1 Golden State Warriors (73-9) vs. #5 Portland Trail Blazers (44-38)

Portland got a huge gift in the first round with both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin went down. In fact, they became the 2^nd team ever to come back down 0-2 when they lost both of those games by 20+ points. But you gotta win them however you can.

The Stephen Curry injury might allow Portland to sneak one, and of course I always want to give Damian Lillard a game where he goes off (like he did against the Warriors during the regular season). Take a bow Portland, you’ve gotten a lot farther than anyone gave you credit for.

Warriors in 6

#2 San Antonio Spurs (67-15) vs. #3 Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27)

Too bad I can’t change the amount of games right now after the Game 1 beat down San Antonio put on OKC.

I think Gregg Popovich figured out the Thunder years ago to be honest (while Billy Donovan’s still in his rookie year, remember). They need to find a way to cover LeMarcus Aldridge from mid range and hope Kawhi Leonard can’t cover Westbrook and/or Durant. Unfortunately as Game 1 told, Leonard absolutely can shut down Westbrook. Spurs are too deep and too good and it needs to be remembered that they were a historical team too this year.

Spurs in 6

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25) vs. #4 Atlanta Hawks (48-34)

Ever think that LeBron gets bored of beating these Eastern Conference teams? He’s 8-0 against the Hawks in his playoff career, and last year he basically won 4 in a row by himself. The Cavs are better this year while the Hawks clearly aren’t. Only storyline here is if the Cavs can convince me they can win the title this year.

Cavs in 4

#2 Toronto Raptors (56-26) vs. #3 Miami Heat (48-34)

Yeah still don’t believe in the Raptors at all. They barely survived a one man Paul George team. Miami beat Charlotte just as I thought they would, in 7 because one of their guys made big shots (Wade in Game 6). I think this goes 7 though, but Miami steals it in Toronto.

Heat in 7

Basketball

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Of All-Time: The Top 10

January 6, 2016 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

#10. Kobe Bryant

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’08)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’09, ’10)

NBA All-1^st Team: 11x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ‘13)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’00, ’01)

NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’99, ’05)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 9x (’00, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 3x (’01, ’02, ‘12)

NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team: 1x (’97)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 4x (’02, ’07, ’09, ‘11)

NBA All-Star: 17x (’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ‘15)

NBA Points Leader: 4x (’03, ’06, ’07, ’08)

NBA Top 10 Points: 12x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ‘13)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 3x (’03, ’06, ‘08)

NBA Top 10 PER: 11x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ‘13)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 8x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘13)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 7x (’00, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’09)

NBA Career Points: 3rd

NBA Career Assists: 29^th

NBA Career Steals: 14th

NBA Career Win Shares: 15th

Best Player on Two Champions: ’09 Lakers, ’10 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on Three Champions: ’00 Lakers, ’01 Lakers, ’02 Lakers

Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’04 Lakers, ’08 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 8th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 10th

I probably don’t have to argue that Kobe Bryant is a top 10 player in basketball history, but I probably do I have to defend my stance that he’s not in the top 5. So while it isn’t my intention to write a negative Kobe Bryant piece…there’s a chance it’ll come off that way.

First, let’s go over the arguments of why Bryant is in the top 10 and why he should receive some recognition for even being ranked higher.

First, he has five rings. Many will say that he was at least even with Shaq for those first three rings (which isn’t true, although it’s arguable for 2002). Of course the five rings (and two other Finals appearances) is great, but it can’t be forgotten that Bryant wasn’t even All-NBA 1^st team for two of them.

The 81 point game. It’s obviously quite impressive. He arguably could have done this twice too with his 62 point game no one remembers against Dallas (a much tougher opponent than the terrible Raptors team he scored the 81 against) where he only played 32 minutes, sitting out the entire 4^th. Of course, when you were allowed to shoot as much as Kobe could in 2006 (2 assists in the 81 point game, 0 in the 62 point game) an explosion like that was definitely on the table.

He took Smush Parker to the playoffs! Yes, the ’06 and ’07 Lakers were pretty awful and Kobe getting them to the playoffs is a hell of an achievement. We’ll get to that.

Ok, so why isn’t Kobe higher than 10?

He arguably was never the best player in the league for one. He wasn’t even the correct choice for MVP when he won it in 2008 (Chris Paul was). You can argue that he correctly was never the MVP of the league (although, I think I’d give it to him in 2006). Every other player on this list, with perhaps the exception of one, clearly was the best player in the league at one point. Amazingly, for a big time scorer, Bryant was never super efficient, failing to crack 47% shooting for a season even once in his career. His advanced metrics are slightly disappointing.

Secondly, Kobe Bryant was given everything to succeed. He began his career with arguably the greatest low post presence in NBA history. After that he got Phil Jackson as his Head Coach. After pissing off both Shaq and Jackson (read Jackson’s book “The Last Season”. It’s shocking Kobe and Phil got back together after that), he went through a tough season and got Jackson back. When he couldn’t get out of Round 1, he was gifted not only a budding Andrew Bynum, but Pau Gasol for basically free. Has another other big name superstar received so much help in his career? It should be pointed out that without elite help, Kobe could never get past Round 1. He had a chance to in 2006 against the Suns up 3-1. The Lakers lost 4-3.

Twice early on when everyone thought Kobe and Shaq were equals, Kobe had a chance to lead the Lakers but failed. The first time was in the 2002 season, where Kobe led Laker teams were 5-8 while Shaq was out. The 2^nd time was the 2004-2005 season. Despite hand checking being outlawed and the league moving to a perimeter based game, Kobe suffered without Shaq and Jackson, and failed to enter the group of players that guaranteed you a playoff berth when healthy and in their peak.

Lastly, Kobe Bryant’s “clutchness” is slightly overblown. He actually didn’t have a great shooting percentage late in 4^th quarters and absolutely bombed and was saved in the biggest game of his career (Game 7 vs. the Celtics in 2010, Bryant shot 6 for 24, but the Lakers came back with Kobe on the bench). I would probably say he was very good, but not great, when it mattered.

Kobe will historically never be treated fairly. Everyone wanted him to be the next Michael Jordan and while he clearly never was that…he still was great overall and his accomplishments can’t be denied.

#9. Hakeem Olajuwon

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’94)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’94, ‘95)

NBA All-1^st Team: 6x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’93, ’94, ‘97)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 3x (’86, ’90, ‘96)

NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’95, ‘99)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2x (’93, ’94)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 5x (’87, ’88, ’90, ’93, ‘94)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 4x (’85, ’91, ’96, ‘97)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’85)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’89, ‘90)

NBA Blocks Leader: 2x (’90, ’93)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 5x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91)

NBA Top 10 Points: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ‘97)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 10x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 2x (’89, ’90)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 14x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘99)

NBA Top 10 PER: 13x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘99)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’93, ‘94)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 13x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 5x (’86, ’87, ’89, ’93, ‘94)

NBA Career Points: 10th

NBA Career Blocks: 1st

NBA Career Steals: 8^th

NBA Career Rebounds: 13th

NBA Career Win Shares: 15^th

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 4^th

NBA Career Win Shares: 18^th

NBA Career WS/48: 44th

Best Player on Two Champions: ’94 Rockets, ’95 Rockets

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’86 Rockets

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 11th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 13^th

Hakeem Olajuwon gets the nod over Kobe for one big reason: there’s a two year stretch where without a shadow of a doubt Hakeem was the best player in the league. After having a huge 1993 and bringing the Rockets back to relevancy, Hakeem followed up with a great 1994 and filled the void left by the retirement of Michael Jordan. Hakeem had a 27-13-4-4 season, leading the Rockets to 58 wins despite not having a real 2^nd guy (Kenny Smith? Otis Thorpe?). The Rockets ripped through the playoffs, only going the distance against Charles Barkley’s Suns in seven games. In the Finals against a superior Knicks team, Olajuwon owned Patrick Ewing and the Rockets came back down 3-2. Hakeem in Game 6? A 30-10-4. In Game 7? A 25-10-7-3. While the Rockets struggled record wise in 1995, Hakeem again led them throughout the playoffs. After getting through Malone’s Jazz and Barkley’s Suns, Hakeem went against 1995 MVP David Robinson and showed him who the real MVP was. Go on youtube and see for yourself, the video is titled Hakeem dominates Robinson. Hakeem would go on to average a 33-12-6 in the Finals against Shaquille O’Neal, and Shaq has gone on record about just how great Hakeem was.

If that doesn’t convince you, Hakeem was always great anyway. He came into the league and immediately led the Rockets to the playoffs. In his 2^nd year he was good enough to lead the Rockets to the Finals with Ralph Sampson and came within two games of upsetting the 1986 Celtics. The Rockets around him imploded basically making Hakeem an earlier version of Kevin Garnett, leading bad teams to the playoffs every year. The best example of Hakeem’s no help? In the 1988 Playoffs, Hakeem averaged 38-17-2-3 including a 41-26 game, yet the Rockets still lost in four. Maybe that shouldn’t have surprised anyone since the season before in Game 6 against Seattle he put up a 49-25 in a losing effort.

Hakeem is the greatest defensive center of the modern era. He beat all of his rivals (Ewing, Robinson and Shaq) in big moments in a two year span and left no question about who the best player in the NBA was when Jordan was gone. And speaking of Jordan, well, one city that doesn’t seem to care that they drafted someone else ahead of Jordan is Houston. That’s how great Hakeem is.

#8. Shaquille O’Neal

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’00)

NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’00, ’01, ‘02)

NBA All-1^st Team: 8x (’98, ’00, 01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ‘06)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘95)

NBA All-3rd Team: 4x (’94, ’96, ’97, ‘09)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 3x (’00, ’01, ‘03)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’93)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’93)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 3x (’00, ’04, ’09)

NBA All-Star: 15x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ‘09)

NBA Points Leader: 3x (’95, ’99, ’00)

NBA FG% Leader: 10x (’94, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’09)

NBA PER Leader: 5x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’00, ’01)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 2x (’00, ’02)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 1x (‘00)

NBA Top 10 Points: 9x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 8x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’03, ‘05)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 8x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’00, ’01, ’03, ’04, ‘05)

NBA Top 10 PER: 14x (’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ‘06)

NBA Top 6 Win Shares: 7x (’94, ’95, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03)

NBA Top 6 WS/48: 8x (’94, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05)

NBA Career Points: 7th

NBA Career Blocks: 8th

NBA Career Rebounds: 14th

NBA Career Win Shares: 15^th

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 4^th

NBA Career Win Shares: 11th

NBA Career WS/48: 15th

Best Player on Three Champions: ’00 Lakers, ’01 Lakers, ’02 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’06 Heat

Best Player on One Runner-up: ’95 Magic

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-up: ’04 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 12th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 4th

Shaquille O’Neal could have been #1 on this list. There are two trains of thought of why he never reached those heights. The first is that he never really took basketball as seriously as he could have except for 2000. For a while I agreed with this, reading stories about Shaq not being in shape and several players over the years complaining about that. But once I read Shaq’s book and he wrote about how his body needed to recover more than others due to the pounding he took, I changed the course on my opinion about Shaq’s effort. His body was unique and in a lot of ways its incredible he didn’t break down like Yao or others that were bigger than the standard (well he did at the end). So I tend to agree with the 2^nd course, that if Shaq went all out his body would have fallen apart, and he maximized the strengths his body gave him.

And maximized he did. Shaq dominated the NBA for most of his career and especially in the early 2000s. He was taken for granted, with fans complaining he was only good because of his power and not talent (which was ridiculous). Didn’t matter to Shaq. Once Phil Jackson came into play Shaq was able to channel his focus and energy and basically kicked the NBA’s ass; absolutely dominating in 2000. He probably should have been the 2001 MVP as well (and 2005) and destroyed Dikembe Mutombo in the 2001 Finals.

The Lakers would eventually choose Kobe over Shaq, and Shaq made them pay by winning a title in 2006 (and possibly would have in 2005 had Wade not went down in the Conference Finals). Shaq still had some solid years left at the end of his career too, playing decently in 2009 and becoming a great role player in 2011.

While Tim Duncan held the “best player alive” title for perhaps one season in 1999 post-MJ, Shaq owned it through 2002. During those early 2000s years no could go toe to toe with Shaq. Not Mutombo, not Duncan, not anyone.

#7. Larry Bird

Resume

NBA MVP: 3x (’84, ’85, ‘86)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’84, ‘86)

NBA All-1^st Team: 9x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘90)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 3x (’82, ’83, ‘84)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’80)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’80)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (‘82)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’90, ’91, ‘92)

NBA FT% Leader: 4x (’84, ’86, ’87, ’90)

NBA PER Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 2x (’85, ‘86)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 4x (’80, ’81, ’84, ’86)

NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 7x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ‘85)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 3x (’81, ’84, ‘86)

NBA Top 10 PER: 7x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 9x (’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)

NBA Top 6 WS/48: 7x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ‘88)

NBA Career Points: 31st

NBA Career Rebounds: 50th

NBA Career Win Shares: 23rd

NBA Career WS/48: 20th

Best Player on Three Champions: ’81 Celtics, ’84 Celtics, ’86 Celtics

Best Player on Two Runner-ups: ’85 Celtics, ’87 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 5th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 9th

The moment Larry Legend stepped onto the court he was the best player in the NBA. Boston, during a rare slump, had missed the playoffs two straight seasons and came off a 29-53 year. Bird showed up, and here are your win totals for his first nine seasons: 61, 62, 63, 56, 62, 63, 67, 59 and 57. With Magic, he’s credited with saving the NBA. And how did he do it? Be being great. By being a winner and creating and being a big reason each and every NBA season was compelling. He had a competitive streak that only guys like Jordan and Russell matched. For the stat counters he’s arguably the reason Fantasy Basketball was created (PTS+AST+REB, the Larry Bird League).

We also loved how Bird played. At times he would run around to the opposing team’s bench just to hit a three pointer in their face. He once asked an opposing crowd to get louder when shooting a free throw. He walked into the inaugural three point contest and asked “who’s coming in second?” then of course, won the contest. He led teams that ripped through the two best young players in the league in Jordan and Olajuwon. If it weren’t for Magic and the Lakers, the Celtics might have just won four straight titles.

As for dominance, look at his 1985 season: 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 52-43-88%s. And it wasn’t like the other seasons were much worse. Even after his back betrayed him, he had a great 1990 and put up solid efforts in 1991 and 1992.

He’s 7^th only because of that. If Bird had started earlier or had been able to extend his career, perhaps he could be in the Top 5, but the six players ahead of him were just so dominant at certain points I just can’t put Bird ahead.

#6. LeBron James

Resume

NBA MVP: 4x (’09, ’10, ’12, ‘13)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’12, ‘13)

NBA All-1^st Team: 9x (’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’05, ‘07)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 1x (’14)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’04)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’04)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’06, ‘08)

NBA All-Star: 11x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ‘15)

NBA PER Leader: 6x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 5x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)

NBA Top 10 Points: 12x (’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 7x (’05, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’13, ‘14)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 5x (’05, ’08, ’09, ’11, ‘12)

NBA Top 10 PER: 11x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 4 Win Shares: 10x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘14)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘14)

NBA Career Points: 17^th

NBA Career Assists: 22^nd

NBA Career Steals: 30th

NBA Career Win Shares: 10th

NBA Career WS/48: 6th

Best Player on Two Champions: ’12 Heat, ’13 Heat

Best Player on Four Runner-ups: ’07 Cavs, ’11 Heat, ’14 Heat, ’15 Cavs

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 20th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 31st

Like Wilt, LeBron gets criticized for the times he falls short way more than he should be, and his successes aren’t given enough credit. Let’s look at those criticisms and tear (most of) them apart.

He’s 2-4 in the NBA Finals.

Only one of these losses go against LeBron, which is the 2011 Finals where he failed to assert himself in a very winnable series. Other than that, you can’t really blame him. He ripped apart the ’07 Pistons and that Cavs team (absolutely awful without LeBron) stood no chance against the ’07 Spurs. In 2014 the Heat weren’t as strong as the year before as they battled injures (especially to Dwyane Wade) and Kwahi Leonard stepped up and became a superstar. Remember, people thought the 2013 Spurs were the best team in NBA history to not win the NBA title. In 2015 the Warriors from top to bottom were so much better than the Cavs it might have been the biggest mismatch in NBA history once Kyrie Irving went down. LeBron still got it to six games. Has anyone gotten to the Finals with less talent than LeBron on his team?

He’s not clutch.

Yeah, he is. Once again everyone like to point out the failures (like him missing the potential game winning shot in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals) and totally ignore the successes (the 48 Special against Detroit in 2007, the shot vs. Orlando in 2009 and the shot against Chicago in 2015). He has a high FG% late in games, much higher than someone like Kobe.

He gave up on Cleveland.

This was admittedly pretty bad. The 2010 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals was quite embarrassing for LeBron, and we still don’t know what was going on there. But it’s not as if other great players didn’t let their teams down late either. The only ones who escape this really are Jordan, Russell, Duncan and Bird.

The East has been weak throughout LeBron’s career.

It was in Jordan’s too. And it wasn’t like they were all bad teams. Those early Wizards teams had talent (Gilbert, Butler and Jamison), Detroit had won a NBA title and nearly won a 2^nd one, and Chicago was no slouch in 2011 or 2015. Plus he averaged a triple double against the 60 win Hawks last year.

So let’s look at the positives.

He has some of the most clutch games ever.

He has the highest Game 7 scoring average in NBA history. His Game 5 against Detroit in the Conference Finals (the 48 special) gave him no ceiling whatsoever as a player (48-9-7, scored 25 of the last 26 Cleveland points). In perhaps the most important game of his career (up to that point), down 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals to Boston with no titles yet to his name, in Boston, he went for a 45-15 on 19/26 shooting, ending Boston’s last shot at a title. He clinched the title with a 26-13. He followed that up in the 2013 NBA Finals, once again down 3-2, with two spectacular games: a 32-10-11 and a 37-12 in the clincher. And in losing, he averaged a 36-13-9 in the 2015 NBA Finals (admittedly did shoot poorly).

He has some of the best Advanced Metrics ever.

In the modern era, he has the best WS/48 season ever (better than Jordan) and four of the top 11 overall. He’s already 10^th on the career win shares list. He had a staggering .399 WS/48 in the ’09 playoffs.

He was undoubtedly the best player in the NBA for six straight years.

Sorry Kobe fans, but give LeBron Pau Gasol in ’09 or ’10 and he’s winning the title too. ’11 Derrick Rose won the MVP and got owned by LeBron in the Conference Finals. ’12 and ’13 are obvious. ’14 Durant might have won the MVP, but it was unclear how effective he was without Westbrook.

LeBron still has a shot at the top 3 (even #1, unlikely as that is). I expect Cleveland to be in the Finals again in ’16 too.

#5. Tim Duncan

Resume

NBA MVP: 2x (’02, ‘03)

NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’99, ’03, ‘05)

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ‘13)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 3x (’06, ’08, ‘09)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 1x (’15)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 8x (’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’07, ‘08)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 7x (’98, ’04, ’06, ’09, ’10, ’13, ‘15)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’98)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’98)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (‘00)

NBA All-Star: 15x (’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘15)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 1x (’02)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’02, ’03)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 4x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’13)

NBA Offensive Win Shares Leader: 1x (’02)

NBA Defensive Win Shares Leader: 5x (’98, ’99, ’01, ’06, ’07)

NBA Top 10 Points: 4x (’98, ’99, ’02, ’03)

NBA Top 8 Rebounds: 12x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 15x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’11, ’13, ’14, ‘15)

NBA Top 10 PER: 13x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘13)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 9x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03 ,’04, ’07, ‘10)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 13x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘15)

NBA Career Points: 14th

NBA Career Rebounds: 7th

NBA Career Blocks: 5th

NBA Career Win Shares: 6th

NBA Career WS/48: 13^th

Career Defensive Rating: 2nd

Best Player on Five Champions: ’99 Spurs, ’03 Spurs, ’05 Spurs, ’07 Spurs, ’14 Spurs

Best Player on One Runner-up: ’13 Spurs

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 7th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 8^th

Without a doubt the most consistent superstar ever. I don’t think I have to defend Duncan’s high ranking, but I probably have to defend putting him above Kobe Bryant. The fact of the matter is Duncan got two advantages in his career, and one didn’t really pan out until 2005ish. He was lucky to end up in a great system with Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili very good 2^nd and 3^rd options (but not great). Unlike Kobe, Duncan came into the league and was immediately great (NBA All-1^st Team his Rookie Year!), and in year 2 he became the face of the Spurs over David Robinson. He temporarily grabbed the “Best Player Alive” Championship in only his 2^nd year, winning the 1999 Championship and holding off Shaq. Even in Shaq’s three year era of dominance, Duncan (rightfully) took a MVP and took back the Best Player Alive title. His dominant 2003 season is one of the best ever in regards to carrying a team. He wins MVP, gets San Antonio by the Lakers with little help (roster that year, a 19 year old Parker, Stephen Jackson, Bruce Bowen, a washed up Robinson and Manu, who was still a low minute bench guy).

Still, he spanked the Lakers in the 2^nd Round (games of 28-7-8, 28-11, 36-9, 27-14 and 37-16 in the clincher in LA no less). With the Spurs falling apart around him, he carried them in the 2003 NBA Finals with one of the best Finals performances ever (the Spurs had used Speedy Claxton at some points because Parker wasn’t playing well…Speedy Claxton!) Here’s Duncan’s 2003 NBA Finals: A 32-20-6-7Blk in Game 1, a 21-16-7 in Game 3, a 23-17-7Blk in Game 4, a 29-17 in Game 5 and a 21-20-10-8blk in the clincher (that’s right, a near quadruple double no one talks about today for some reason).

He hit a clutch shot right before Fisher’s miracle .4 seconds shot that no one remembers because of Fisher. He won the ’05 title, dealing with Ben and Rasheed Wallace in the Finals. In 2007 with the league changing to favor offense, Duncan’s defense shut down any teams that had a slasher (like LeBron in the ’07 Finals). Continually was one of the best players in the league through 2015, saving himself for the playoffs and taking less money to let the Spurs build their roster (he averaged a 15-10 with 58% shooting in the ’14 Finals win). Even in a loss, he played great in his last playoff series as well, averaging a 18-11 in the Round 1 exit last year against the Clippers (who had DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin in the middle). That included a 27-11 in the Game 7 loss. In Duncan’s entire run in the NBA, he never played for a team that won less than 50 games (’99 lockout season they won 37, but the winning % was higher than a 50 win season).

Today Duncan’s taken a smaller role than ever, but I wouldn’t rule him out for having a big playoffs. It may be Leonard’s team now, but I think everyone knows who the top guy is in the Spurs locker room.

#4. Magic Johnson

Resume

NBA MVP: 3x (’87, ’89, ‘90)

NBA Finals MVP: 3x (’80, ’82, ’87)

NBA All-1^st Team: 9x (’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘82)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’80)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’90, ‘92)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’80, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ‘92)

NBA Assists Leader: 3x (’83, ’86, ‘87)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 1x (‘87)

NBA Top 10 Points: 1x (‘87)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 11x (’80, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 4x (’80, ’82, ’83, ‘84)

NBA Top 10 PER: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘91)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 8x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’89, ’90, ’91)

NBA Career Assists: 5th

NBA Career Steals: 19th

NBA Career Win Shares: 20th

NBA Career WS/48: 8th

Career Defensive Rating: 3rd

Best Player on Two Champions: ’87 Lakers, ’88 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on Three Champions: ’80 Lakers, ’82 Lakers, ’85 Lakers

Best Player on Two Runner-ups: ’89 Lakers, ’91 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’83 Lakers, ’84 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 4th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 6^th

Took the “Best Player Alive” title from Bird in 1987, only to kind of co-hold it with Jordan for the next few years until he retired. He gets the edge on Bird because he was able to peak when Bird unfortunately fell apart.

Magic was also great right away. While he didn’t make All-NBA teams right away, his performance in the 1980 Finals made him a legend as a rookie. With Kareem being out, Magic played center and had a 42-15-7. Then, we almost lost him, as Magic almost became one of those young guys given way too much too soon. Of course, LA thought it was a good idea for Magic to share point guard duties with Norm Nixon for some reason. Magic rebounded in ’82 with a near season average of a triple double. Magic would peak after Nixon was traded, but still in the 1984 Finals he had one of the most unclutch performances by a top guy in NBA history (threw ball away on a potential game winning play in Game 2, missed two clutch free throws in Game 4 and had two late turnovers to cost LA in Game 7). Still, Magic helped win the ’85 title, then took over for an aging Kareem as the alpha dog on the Lakers. After Hakeem and Sampson roughed up Kareem in 1986, Magic became the best player in the league, leading the Lakers to four more Finals appearances in the next five years, despite Kareem falling apart and retiring. In that five year span: Two Rings, Two MVPs, Four Finals appearances. We also have no idea if LA could have come back in ’89 as Magic got injured in the series.

It should be noted that when Magic joined the Lakers, LA had the following win totals: 60, 54, 57, 58, 54, 62, 62, 65, 62, 57, 63 and 58. He made the Finals nine times in 13 seasons (not counting what comeback in ’96). He took over for Kareem naturally and extended the Laker Dynasty which wouldn’t really return until Shaq and Kobe showed up. And who knows what happens in ’92 if he doesn’t get HIV.

#3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Resume

NBA MVP: 6x (’71, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’77, ‘80)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’71, ‘85)

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’84, ‘86)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 4x (’70, ’78, ’79, ‘83)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 5x (’74, ’75, ’79, ’80, ’81)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 6x (’70, ’71, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’84)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’70)

NBA Rookie All-1^st Team: 1x (’70)

NBA All-Star: 19x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ‘89)

NBA Points Leader: 3x (’70, ’71, ‘72)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’76, ’77)

NBA Blocks Leader: 4x (’76, ’77, ’79, ’80)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80)

NBA PER Leader: 9x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’81)

NBA Top 10 Points: 13x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ‘86)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 12x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ‘85)

NBA Top 10 PER: 17x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83,’84, ’85, ‘86)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 16x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’85, ‘86)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 16x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’85, ‘86)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 5x (’78, ’80, ’81, ’83, ‘85)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 6x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80)

NBA Career Points: 1st

NBA Career Assists: 40th

NBA Career Blocks: 3rd

NBA Career Win Shares: 1st

NBA Career WS/48: 7^th

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 37th

NBA Career Defensive Rating: 24th

Best Player on Four Champions: ’71 Bucks, ’80 Lakers, ’82 Lakers, ’85 Lakers

3^rd Best Player on Two Champions: ’87 Lakers, ’88 Lakers

Best Player on two Runner-Ups: ’74 Bucks, ’84 Lakers

3^rd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’89 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 3rd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 7th

Kareem’s resume basically speaks for itself. He had an unstoppable (literally) shot with his Sky Hook and that shot became the surest two points in NBA history. He won in the early 70s all the way throughout the late 80s. His longevity is remarkable and is only matched by Duncan in terms of playing at a high level.

Bill Simmons also showed that when considering eras, opponents and minutes played, Kareem’s early 70s stats may have been on par or even better than Wilt’s in the 60s. He helped Oscar win a title and bridged the gap to helping Magic win titles.

Again, not much to say. Best statistical center ever, overall winner, he even won tons of awards too (six MVPs, and probably shoulda won a seventh!)

#2. Bill Russell

Resume

NBA MVP: 5x (’58, ’61, ’62, ’63, ‘65)

NBA All-1^st Team: 3x (’59, ’63, ‘65)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 8x (’58, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’64, ’66, ’67, ‘68)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 1x (‘69)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ‘69)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 4x (’58, ’59, ’64, ‘65)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 11x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ‘69)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 4x (’63, ’64, ’65, ‘67)

NBA Top 10 PER: 8x (’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’62, ’64, ’65, ’67)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 11x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’69)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ‘67)

NBA Top 3 Defensive Win Shares: 13x (’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69)

NBA Career Rebounds: 2nd

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 1^st

NBA Career Win Shares: 17^th

NBA Career WS/48: 24th

Best Player on Eleven Champions: ’57 Celtics, ’59 Celtics, ’60 Celtics, ’61 Celtics, ’62 Celtics, ’63 Celtics, ’64 Celtics, ’65 Celtics, ’66 Celtics, ’68 Celtics, ’69 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 2nd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 3^rd

Russell single handedly modernized basketball the first time, laying waste to the career of 50s centers like Walt Bellamy. He was the most destructive force in the NBA throughout his entire career (even though it should have been Wilt). His peers respected him so much that the voted him for five MVP awards (even during the year Wilt averaged a 50-27). Russell always stepped it up in the playoffs as well, usually limiting Chamberlain when playing against him, and setting some records himself (24.9 playoff RPG, 40 rebounds in a game, 32 in a half). Russell, a lot like Duncan right now, only brought it when he needed to. If Wilt wanted to score 60 or whatever points one night and the game was virtually over, Russell would let him.

Every player from that era (other than, again, Wilt) reveres Russell, and today the Finals MVP trophy is named after him. And as we proved with earlier sections, Russell didn’t always have the most stacked team either. (It should be pointed out he coached the last two titles too).

#1. Michael Jordan

Resume

NBA MVP: 5x (’88, ’91, ’92, ’96, ’98)

NBA Finals MVP: 6x (’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ‘98)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘85)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1x (’88)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 9x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ‘98)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’85)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’85)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 3x (’88, ’96, ’98)

NBA All-Star: 14x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’02, ‘03)

NBA Points Leader: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)

NBA Steals Leader: 3x (’88, ’90, ’93)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 9x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97)

NBA Offensive Win Share Leader: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 8x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ‘97)

NBA PER Leader: 7x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93)

NBA Top 4 Steals: 9x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’88)

NBA Top 4 PER: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)

NBA Top 2 Win Shares: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)

NBA Top 3 WS/48: 11x (’85, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98)

NBA Top 6 Defensive Win Shares: 8x (’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’98)

NBA Career Points: 4^th

NBA Career PPG: 1st

NBA Career Assists: 42^nd

NBA Career Steals: 3^rd

NBA Career Win Shares: 4^th

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 19th

NBA Career Win Shares: 17^th

NBA Career WS/48: 1st

Best Player on Six Champions: ’91 Bulls, ’92 Bulls, ’93 Bulls, ’96 Bulls, ’97 Bulls, ’98 Bulls

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 1st

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 1st

I assume I don’t really need to argue this. Let’s just close up the top 100 list with some Jordan facts/stories.

Jordan holds the record for playoff PPG as well at 33.4.

Pistons Coach Chuck Daly basically said he was so good it was an embarrassment to the league, and it was insane how hard it was to gear his entire team to stop one man.

Not only was he the best offensive player in NBA history, he was one of the best defensive players as well, even winning Defensive Player of the Year!

His destruction of the Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler in Game 1 of the 1992 Finals stands tall as the greatest “FU” performance in NBA history.

Averaged a 41-9-6 in the 1993 Finals.

Basically won Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals by himself. (scored 45 of Chicago’s 87 points, Pippen was injured and played limited minutes, layup, steal of Karl Malone, famous game winner ending sequence).

Just to list some of his famous playoff game winners: The Shot vs. Cleveland, The Shot II against Cleveland in ’93, the ’97 Finals Shot against Utah, and of course, the famous Game 6 winner in ’98 against Utah.

There are countless other great game winners out there for Jordan. For example, looking up the “Shot II” I found a video of Jordan beating Cleveland when playing for Washington with a game winner called “The Shot III”.

Scored 63 against the ’86 Celtics in the playoffs. With all the crazy high scoring numbers from Wilt etc., this actually stands as the highest total ever.

Look, MJ’s the best ever. I wouldn’t be writing anything new here. Maybe LeBron has a 1% shot of getting here, but I don’t like his chances.

Basketball

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time: #30-#21

December 8, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

#30. Willis Reed

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’70)

NBA Finals MVP: 2x (’70, ’73)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (’70)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 4x (’67, ’68, ’69, ‘71)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 1x (’70)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’65)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’65)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’70)

NBA All-Star: 7x (’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ‘71)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 1x (’69)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’69)

NBA Defensive Win Shares Leader: 1x (’69)

NBA Top 10 Points: 2x (’65, ‘67)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 6x (’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ‘70)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 4x (’68, ’69, ’70, ‘71)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 4x (’68, ’69, ’70, ‘71)

Best Player on One Champion: ’70 Knicks

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’73 Knicks

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’72 Knicks

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 30th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 32nd

Despite Chamberlain still being in the league, or Kareem entering the league, it was Reed who, for at least a brief moment, took the NBA Big Man Championship belt after Russell retired. At his peak, Reed was probably the best center in basketball, averaging a 25-14 in 28 playoff games against Unseld, Russell, Kareem and Wilt.

It also can’t be understated how big of an impact Reed has on his teammates and the city of New York. His big moment…”Here Comes Willis” in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals swayed the entire series (and somehow Wilt didn’t take advantage of Reed playing with a torn quad).

Reed would be higher, but his career was a bit short (650 games) and as a result, like Frazier he wasn’t great for a long time. But he was great.

#29. Rick Barry

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’75)

NBA All-1^st Team: 5x (’66, ’67, ’74, ’75, ‘76)

ABA All-1^st Team: 4x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘73)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’66)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’66)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’67)

NBA All-Star: 8x (’66, ’67, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78)

ABA All-Star: 4x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72)

NBA Points Leader: 1x (’67)

NBA Steals Leader: 1x (’75)

NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’66, ’67, ’74, ’75, ’76, ‘78)

ABA Top 10 Points: 2x (’71, ’72)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 1x (’66)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 4x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’66, ’67, ’74, ’75, ‘76)

ABA Top 10 Win Shares: 2x (’69, ’72)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 4x (’66, ’67, ’74, ‘75)

ABA Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’70, ’71)

NBA + ABA Career Points: 21^st

ABA Career PPG: 1st

Best Player on One Champion: ’75 Warriors

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’67 Warriors

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 26th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 21st

There are two trains of thought about Barry. The first is that he’s one of the top three best offensive forwards in basketball history with Larry Bird and LeBron James. He was a great passer, a great shooter (scoring 35.6 PPG in ’67) and overall just a great player. He was the best player on a tea that took the ’67 Sixers to six games in the NBA Finals and outright won a NBA Title in 1975.

The second? He was probably the biggest asshole in the history of professional basketball. Before you think that doesn’t matter, here’s why it does. Not only did Barry throw away a potential Championship (1976 Western Conference Finals, Barry stopped shooting after a fight with Ricky Sobers allegedly because his teammates didn’t have his back and they dropped Game 7 to the 42-40 Suns), he also lost five years of his prime in the ABA just to follow around his father-in-law. He would abandon the Warriors again later in his career too. If his teammates got along with him, and Barry wasn’t a jerk, could the Warriors have been an early 70s dynasty? Maybe, right?

#28. Bob Cousy

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’57)

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ‘61)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’62, ‘63)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’54, ‘57)

NBA All-Star: 13x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ‘63)

NBA Assists Leader: 8x (’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60)

NBA Top 10 Points: 8x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’59)

NBA Top 4 Assists: 13x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ‘63)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’52, ’57, ‘59)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’57, ‘59)

NBA Career Assists: 16th

2^nd Best Player on Six Champions: ’57 Celtics, ’59 Celtics, ’60 Celtics, ’61 Celtics, ’62 Celtics, ’63 Celtics

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’58 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 21st

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 24th

The first real point guard in NBA history, Cousy was the first version of guards like Nash. While clearly the best point guard of his era, I can’t rank him much higher as we’re talking about the 50s and early 60s here. I also can’t rank him much higher because before Russell showed up, Cousy’s Celtics teams were losing in the playoffs every year. Still, once Russel showed up Cousy was able to run the offense and help win titles, and that justifies the Top 30 ranking.

#27. John Stockton

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 2x (’94, ‘95)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 6x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’93, ‘96)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 3x (’91, ’97, ’99)

NBA All Defensive 2^nd Team: 5x (’89, ’91, ’92, ’95, ’97)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (‘93)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’00)

NBA Assists Leader: 9x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ‘96)

NBA Steals Leader: 2x (’89, ’92)

NBA Offensive Rating Leader: 3x (’96, ’00, ’01)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 17x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 15x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’00, ’02, ’03)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 11x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘00)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 14x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 12x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02)

NBA Career Assists: 1^st

NBA Career Steals: 1^st

NBA Career Points: 41^st

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 4^th

NBA Career Win Shares: 5th

2^nd Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’97 Jazz, ’98 Jazz

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 25th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 22nd

Bill Simmons nailed it on the head: Stockton was often very very good, but rarely great and had some luck towards the end of his career. Like Ewing, Stockton was often in a slightly lesser class than his contemporaries. You’d never put Stockton in the same class of Magic or Isiah. He would sometimes end up behind Kevin Johnson, Mark Price, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Penny Hardaway on All-NBA Teams. Gary Payton took the best PG in the NBA championship belt from him pretty much the moment he was ready to (and proved it in the 1996 Western Conference Finals where he destroyed Stockton). Simmons claims assists were easier to get in the early 90s, but I don’t know how true that actually is.

Why is Stockton so high then? Well, he was very good for very long. While I normally would take elite peaks over a long period of very good (like we did with Durant), Stockton’s was so long that it was hard to ignore. Plus, it wasn’t like he was just another good PG, he was still the 2^nd best PG in the NBA in the late 90s. Of course, luck had a big factor in that too. Other than Payton, all the other point guards of the 90s fell apart, and it wasn’t until Kidd and others showed up that point guard became deep again. Stockton’s head to head match-ups. In the late 90s, after the ’96 Conference Finals against Payton, he avoided any top tier point guard. In the 1997 playoffs, we went up against Derrick Martin, Nick Van Exel, Matt Maloney and Steve Kerr. In ’98 it was Maloney, Avery Johnson, Van Exel and Kerr.

Lucky as that seems, there is one thing that I think could have helped Stockton greatly. If Stockton came along ten years later, I think he benefits the same way (if not better than) Steve Nash did when he won two straight MVPs. I don’t mean to discredit Stockton. He was still the most fundamentally sound PG ever and he helped Karl Malone greatly.

#26. David Robinson

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’95)

NBA All-1^st Team: 4x (’91, ’92, ’95, ’96)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’94, ‘98)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 4x (’90, ’93, ’00, ‘01)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1x (’92)

NBA All Defensive 1^st Team: 4x (’91, ’92, ’95, ’96)

NBA All Defensive 2^nd Team: 4x (’90, ’93, ’94, ‘98)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’90)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’90)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’00, ‘01)

NBA Points Leader: 1x (’94)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’91, ’96)

NBA Blocks Leader: 2x (’91, ’92)

NBA PER Leader: 3x (’94, ’95, ’96)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 2x (’94, ’95)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 5x (’94, ’95, ’98, ’99, ’01)

NBA Offensive Win Shares Leader: 2x (’94, ’95)

NBA Defensive Win Shares Leader: (’91, ’95, ’96)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 5x (’92, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00)

NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’90, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 8x (’90, ’91, ’93, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 11x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 2x (’92, ‘95)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 11x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 12x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ‘02)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 2x (’94, ‘95)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 13x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03)

NBA Career Points: 36th

NBA Career Blocks: 6th

NBA Career Rebounds: 30^th

NBA Career PER: 4th

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 28^th

NBA Career Defensive Rating: 4th

NBA Career Win Shares: 12th

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’99 Spurs

Role Player on One Champion: ’03 Spurs

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 25th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 29th

The question about Robinson is this: how much does a killer instrict, or lack thereof, matter in basketball? In Robinson’s case it seemed to matter a lot. Despite jaw dropping statistics at points of his career (he has a 23-12-2-4.5 season) when push came to shove Robinson seemed to come up short. Robinson got to be the face of the 1988 US Olympic Team…the team that shockingly won the Bronze and let to the Dream Team. He took a couple of years off to fulfill his military commitments…turned the Spurs around and led them to season after season of early playoff exits (in his first ever Game 7, he put up a 20-16…but shot 7 for 21 in a tough three point loss to the Blazers with Kevin Duckworth as the opposing center). The next year his Spurs were shocked by the seventh seeded Run TMC Warriors.

When Michael Jordan retired for the first time, the field was wide open. Could Robinson become the alpha dog of the NBA? He already was dominating the league statistically.

No. In 1994 Hakeem Olajuwon took the torch from Jordan, and the Spurs lost an opening round series despite homecourt advantage.

David Robinson won the NBA MVP in 1995. This time he finally got the Spurs to the Conference Finals. Then he was destroyed by Hakeem. And that was that. Despite a great ’96 season the Spurs would go through another early playoff loss, and then Robinson went down in 1997. Tim Duncan, who never was statistically dominant as Robinson had the killer instinct Robinson lacked. Duncan would lead the Spurs to the title in 1999 (and again in 2003). Robinson was a great 2^nd guy in ’99, but he was a mere role player in 2003.

So what happened? This was someone that according to Simmons had been up in trade discussion for Jordan! This is someone with a 71 point game and a quadruple double! I guess a killer instinct does matter. Robinson had the potential to be one of the best, if not the best ever, but instead he’s merely great. How weird is it that being great is considered a disappointment?

#25. Elgin Baylor

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’67, ’68, ‘69)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’59)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’59)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’59)

NBA All-Star: 11x (’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’67, ’68. ’69)

NBA PER Leader: 1x (’61)

NBA Top 10 Points: 10x (’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’67, ’68, ‘69)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 7x (’59, ’60, ‘61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 4x (’59, ’61, ’63, ’65)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 4x (’59, ’60, ’61, ‘63)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 4x (’60, ’61, ’62, ’63)

NBA Career Points: 28^th

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’59 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on Seven Runner-Ups: ’62 Lakers, ’63 Lakers, ’65 Lakers, ’66 Lakers, ’68 Lakers, ’69 Lakers, ’70 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 15th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 12th

Most difficult player for me to rank for sure. I have tons of respect for Jerry West and can’t look past the fact that Baylor retired and the Lakers finally won the title after that.

Baylor put up some holy shit stats in na era of racism (as we’ll get to with Oscar) and while also performing military. How crazy is that? At the same time, we know not to put that much stock into statistics at that time. Baylor helped show that the NBA game was more of a vertical one than a horizontal one…but does that mean he’s a top 15 guy like everyone else seems to think. I don’t know. For some reason, I don’t think so.

#24: John Havlicek

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’74)

NBA All-1^st Team: 4x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 7x (’64, ’66, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’75, ’76)

NBA All-Star: 13x (’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ‘78)

NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’64, ’67, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 7x (’68, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74)

Top 10 Win Shares: 6x (’67, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 PER: 4x (’67, ’70, ’71, ’72)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 11x (’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73)

NBA Career Points: 13^th

NBA Career Assists: 32^nd

2^nd or 3^rdBest Player on Seven Champions: ’64 Celtics, ’65 Celtics, ’66 Celtics, ’68 Celtics, ’69 Celtics, ’74 Celtics, ’76 Celtics

Role Player on One Champion: ’63 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 14th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 17th

Had a modern game, perhaps more modern than Baylor. I take him above Baylor though for succeeding a little later, being a part of Championship teams and also for being a great defensive player. Havlicek was also known for making clutch plays…for example “Havlicek steals the ball”.

He’s just as difficult to rank as Baylor considering the era he peaked in and a question of how well his game would translate to today, modern or not. Like Baylor, his Advanced Metrics aren’t anything special. Still one of the all-time great Celtics though.

#23: Bob Pettit

Resume

NBA MVP: 2x (’56, ’59)

NBA All-1^st Team: 10x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (’65)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’55)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 4x (’56, ’58, ’59, ’62)

NBA All-Star: 11x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65)

NBA Points Leader; 2x (’56, ’59)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 1x (’56)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 1x (’59)

NBA PER Leader: 4x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59)

NBA Top 5 Points: 10x: (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64)

NBA Top 5 Rebounds: 10x: (‘55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 10x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 11x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65)

NBA Top 5 PER: 11x (’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65)

NBA Career Points: 35^th

NBA Career Rebounds: 17th

Best Player on One Champion: ’58 Hawks

Best Player on Three Runner-Ups: ’57 Hawks, ’60 Hawks, ’61 Hawks

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 17th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 14th

Why Pettit over Baylor? Pettit did more (like win the Championship) with a lot less than Baylor had to work with. Pettit dominated for a solid decade and didn’t falter when Russell entered the league. He was clearly the top dog before Russell, winning a pair of MVPs and being a mainstay on the 1^st team. He also gets the nod over Havlicek simply for because of better Advanced Metrics as well.

Why is Pettit so low? Unlike Baylor, Pettit’s game probably wouldn’t work today. It’s a small detriment. But Pettit beat whomever was in front of him (including Russell) and there’s something to be said about that.

#22: Scottie Pippen

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 3x (’94, ’95, ’96)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’92, ‘97)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 2x (’93, ’98)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 8x (’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 2x (’91, ’00)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’94)

NBA All-Star: 7x (’90, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)

NBA Steals Leader: 1x (’95)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 1x (’95)

NBA Top 10 Points: 2x (’92, ’95)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’92)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’92, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 5x (’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘98)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 5x (’91, ’92, ’94, ’95, ’96)

NBA Career Steals: 6th

NBA Career Assists: 30th

2^nd Best Player on Six Champions: ’91 Bulls, ’92 Bulls, ’93 Bulls, ’96 Bulls, ’97 Bulls, ’98 Bulls

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 24th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 27th

There are two trains of thought when it comes to Scottie Pippen.

#1: Overrated. Only succeeded because he player with Michael Jordan.

#2: Most destructive perimeter defender off all-time. Best 2^nd banana of all-time. The best all-around player of his generation.

I’m in camp #2. Did Pippen benefit by playing with Jordan? Of course he did. But he learned from that. Playing with Jordan allowed Pippen to be one of the most focused players in NBA history. When Scottie Pippen locked you down…he locked you down. There wasn’t anything you could do about it. Since the advent of the three point line, only two players have ever led the NBA in Defensive Rating that wasn’t a power forward or center. Kawki Leonard did it last season (14-15). The other is Scottie Pippen. Consider that in Pippen’s prime you had great defensive players like Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Gary Payton and even Michael Jordan. The fact that Pippen never won a Defensive Player of the Year award was astonishing.

Last bit about Scottie, his 1994 season was brilliant. Losing Jordan for nothing, Scottie led the Bulls to 55 wins and arguably was cheated out of a trip to the Conference Finals. He led his team in five categories. He also was a major part in taking the 2000 Trail Blazers to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Jordan didn’t play on either of those teams.

#21: Isiah Thomas

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’90)

NBA All-1^st Team: 3x (’84, ’85, ’86)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’83, ’87)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’82)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 12x (’84, ‘86)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ‘93)

NBA Assists Leader: 2x (’84, ’85)

NBA Top 10 Points: 1x (’83)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 10x (’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ‘93)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 1x (’85)

NBA Career Assists: 7th

Best Player on Two Champions: ’89 Pistons, ’90 Pistons

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 23rd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 19th

I hope you’re ready to throw Advanced Metrics out the window for this one. Bill Simmons points out that when the Pistons clinch the Championship, the entire team raises him to the sky, clearing indicating who their leader was. Despite stats saying otherwise, Isiah is what made those Pistons teams go.

It’s hard to give Isiah’s career proper justice because some of his stats are so bad. In fact, when the Detroit won the title, Isiah’s counting stats weren’t close to his peaks. Yet there Detroit was each year in the late 80s, contending for the title. To be clear though, a list of 80s stars would go Magic, Bird, Jordan…then Isiah. And let’s not forget when the 1992 Dream Team was selected there was outrage about Stockton making it over him.

Of course, it doesn’t change that Isiah was great when he needed to be. Isiah damn near broke his ankle (officially a severe sprain) in Game 6 of the 1988 Finals, yet he gutted it out and scored 25 in the third quarter in what was a one point loss. He also dropped 16 points in the 90 seconds in a playoff game against the Knicks. Just amazing clutch performances.

Basketball

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Of All-Time: #40-#31

November 14, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

#40: Jason Kidd

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 5x (’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘04)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (’03)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 4x (’99, ’01, ’02, ’06)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 5x (’00, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’07)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’95)

NBA All Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’95)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’96, ’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08, ‘10)

NBA Assists Leader: 3x (’99, ’01, ’03)

NBA Steals Leader: 1x (’02)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 16x (’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 12x (’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 3x (’02, ’03, ’06)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 2x (’99, ’03)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: (’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’06)

NBA Career Assists: 2^nd

NBA Career Steals: 2^nd

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 12^th

NBA Career Win Shares: 30th

Starter for One NBA Champion: ’11 Mavericks

Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’02 Nets, ’03 Nets

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 43rd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 28th

There’s a pretty lengthy plus/minus list for Jason Kidd.

Plusses: Regarded as one of the best defensive point guards in NBA history. Made everyone around him ridiculously better during his prime (see Kenyon Martin). His trade to the New Jersey Nets for Stephen Marbury turned the Nets into an Eastern Conference Champion (not a real title contender, as we’ll get to). One of the greatest passers in NBA history. His impressive steal and assist numbers are only second to John Stockton, and Kidd got the assists in an era that was pretty bad for offense (and he didn’t have a Karl Malone either).

Minuses: His defensive accolades somewhat overrated him on that end. It doesn’t mean he wasn’t really really good, but you never really heard the words “let’s put Jason Kidd on him to lock him down” like you would with Gary Payton. His defensive reputation carried him through the later 00s (although he still got a lot of steals). One of the worst outside shooters in NBA history, which is what held him back as a true top tier player. If it wasn’t for one of the weakest stretches of talent in NBA history and especially in the Eastern Conference, Kidd’s Nets would have never even sniffed the NBA Finals. Surprisingly not a big Advanced Metrics guy, although that’s because of his bad shooting. Lastly, was horribly outplayed by Chauncey Billups in Game 7 of the 2004 Semi-Finals against the Pistons (22 PTS, 7 AST for Billups, 0 PTS, 7 AST for Kidd). It also can’t be forgotten how badly Chris Paul embarrassed him in the 2008 First Round either.

Still, Kidd was pretty much the best point guard of the early 2000s. He was a selfless point guard who made everyone around him better at a time where it seemed no one was doing that, and he got to two Finals as a result. That’s good enough for the Top 40.

#39. Paul Pierce

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’08)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘09)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 3x (’02, ’03, ’08)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’99)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08. ’09, ’10, ’11, ‘12)

NBA Points Leader: 1x (’02)

NBA Top 10 Points: 5x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ‘06)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 5x (’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 4x (’02, ’05, ’08, ‘11)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (‘08)

NBA Career Points: 16th

NBA Career Steals: 11th

NBA Career Win Shares: 21st

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’08 Celtics

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’10 Celtcs

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 47th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 77th

Pierce is a tricky player to place. He never seemed to be iconic or anything, but was still good enough to nearly get a dreadful Celtics team to the NBA Finals in 2002, and later re-invented his game in order to co-exist with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to win his first NBA Title. Pierce went from being what seemed to be a selfish 25 PPG a game guy to someone who gave up shots and became a decent defensive player to win a title. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

I can’t state enough with how much the 2008 NBA Playoffs helped Pierce here. With LeBron singlehandedly looking to defend his Eastern Conference crown and shock the 66 win Celtics in Round 2 (LeBron Game 7: 45-5-6), Pierce went toe to toe with him scoring 41 of his own. Pierce later helped in shutting down Kobe and won Finals MVP. Yeah, Garnett was the best player on the team, but Pierce willed them there.

The rest of his resume is pretty decent as well. Some good scoring years (at one time Kobe, McGrady and Pierce could be spoken about in the same breath) early on and now some good veteran years (Pierce’s shot against Atlanta in the playoffs last year was sick…too bad Nene can’t rebound). 39 might seem high, but Pierce’s career seems to be what basketball is all about.

#38: Allen Iverson

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’01)

NBA All-1^st Team: 3x (’99, ’01, ‘05)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 3x (’00, ’02, ‘03)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 1x (’06)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’97)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2x (’01, ’05)

NBA All-Star: 11x (’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘10)

NBA Points Leader: 1x (’05)

NBA Steals Leader: 2x (’03, ‘05)

NBA Top 10 Points: 11x (’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07, ‘08)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 10x (’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’08)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 3x (’05, ’06, ’08)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’99, ’01, ‘08)

NBA Career Points: 28th

NBA Career Steals: 12^th

NBA Career Assists: 43rd

Best Player on One Runner-Ups: ’01 76ers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 37th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 40^th

There’s generally two thoughts about Iverson. Either he’s an overrated shoot first/low percentage volume scorer or he’s perhaps the greatest and toughest (and fastest) guy ever to be on the basketball court. I generally go with the latter with a dash of the former. Like Kidd, Iverson peaked at a time where complex offensive schemes were at an all-time low in the NBA. Iverson was able to master hero ball and while his Advanced stats didn’t show it, the 76ers seemed to be a lot worse without him. His 2001 MVP case is a bit weak…it should probably be Shaq’s, but he proved he was at least somewhat worthy by dragging his crappy team to the 2001 NBA Finals (although they probably should have lost to Milwaukee). His Game 1 performance in those Finals give his career extra weight (48 PTS, leading the Sixers to the only playoff win against the 2001 Lakers) and the Sixers at least hung around in some of those games.

Like Kidd, Iverson probably maximized his potential and took advantage of his era. And like Kidd, when that era ended his usefulness as a top star did too.

#37: Gary Payton

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 2x (’98, ’00)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 5x (’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ‘02)

NBA All-3^rd Team: 2x (’94, ’01)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1x (’96)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 9x (’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02)

NBA All-Star: 9x (’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03)

NBA Assists Leader: 1x (’00)

NBA Steals Leader: 1x (‘96)

NBA Top 10 Points: 4x (’97, ’99, ’00, ‘02)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 9x (’91, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ‘00)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 9x (’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 7x (’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ‘02)

Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’98, ’00)

NBA Career Points: 30th

NBA Career Steals: 4th

NBA Career Assists: 8^th

Role Player on One Champion: ’06 Heat

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’96 Sonics

Starter on One Runner-Up: ’04 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 41st

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 39^th

A great What-If for Payton: What if George Karl switched Payton onto Michael Jordan earlier in the 1996 NBA Finals? Once that switch was made, the Sonics took two straight from the Bulls and had chances to get to Game 7. Not surprisingly, it’s Jordan’s worst Finals performance.

Unlike Kidd, Gary Payton with a destructive defensive player. He absolutely wrecked John Stockton in the ’96 Conference Finals. He slowed Jordan down significantly. He was one of the few non big men to win Defensive Player of the Year. If you made me make an all-time Defensive Team, Payton would be my point guard hands down.

He was a great offensive player as well, although he was exposed for needing a system that tailored to his game when he ended up on the 2004 Lakers (and had to “share” with Kobe). In a sense, he’s like Iverson that way.

There are two reasons why Payton never won a title as the top guy on his team. The first has to do with him. He was a coach killer and routinely sold players out. The second was bad luck, as his Shawn Kemp lost his mind and Vin Baker ended up as an alcoholic. Those are the only elite low post threats Payton ever had in his prime. If Kemp didn’t lose his marbles and Baker stayed healthy, perhaps the Sonics get back into the Finals and win a title. But we’ll never know.

#36. Patrick Ewing

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (‘90)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 6x (’88, ’89, 91, ’92, ’93, ‘97)

NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team: 3x (’88, ’89, ‘92)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’86)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’86)

NBA All-Star: 11x (’86, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ‘97)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 2x (’93, ’94)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 3x (’93, ’94, ’97)

NBA Top 10 Points: 8x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 8x (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 11x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘99)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’89, ’90, ’92, ’93, ‘94)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’90, ‘94)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 11x (’88, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00)

NBA Career Points: 21st

NBA Career Rebounds: 24th

NBA Career Blocks: 7^th

NBA Career Win Shares: 35th

NBA Career Defensive Win Shares: 9^th

NBA Career Defensive Rating: 20th

Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’94 Knicks, ’99 Knicks

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 40th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 37th

Arguably exhibit A for “player denied a Championship because of Michael Jordan”. Ewing was both overrated and underrated in different ways. He was overrated because at one time fans put him in that upper tier of NBA players, up there with Jordan, Olajuwon, Malone, Barkley etc., and he was never quite there. He was a good but not great offensive force, capable of putting up the occasional big game (like his 44-13-5-7 game against Boston in Round 1 of the 1990 playoffs…or even his 45-13 against Detroit one round later) but never consistently able to do it. He couldn’t pass well and although his rebounding totals are good, he was never great at that either. To be fair, Ewing lost his peak athleticism early in his career (hence the kneepads). Ewing was a very good player who was never great offensively. But you could build a title contender around him for sure. He was “New York popular”.

What’s forgotten about Ewing was that he was a destructive defensive player that happened to come at a time where Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson all transcended what being a defensive center meant. As a result Ewing doesn’t have the gaudy all-Defensive team nods. But if his career were a few years earlier, he would have done well dealing with Moses and Kareem (just like Olajuwon did in 1986).

But if it weren’t for Michael and Hakeem, Ewing would have captured the title at least once. Jordan’s Bulls took out Ewing’s Knicks in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996. In 1992 and 1993, the Knicks gave Jordan all he could handle (a seven game series in 1992 and a six gamer that the Knicks led 2-0 in 1993) and could have won the title (definitely in 1992). Of course, Ewing had his chance in ’94, but Olajuwon destroyed him, so there’s that (although if John Starks didn’t play horribly, the Knicks still win the title with Ewing).

There’s always the Bill SImmons “Ewing Theory”. The theory Is that the Knicks played better without Ewing than with him. And while that was definitely true in 1999 (when he got hurt and the Marcus Camby addition got them to the Finals), I doubt it’s true earlier. The idea behind it is that a star player gets a lot of extraordinary attention without winning anything and then someone leaves the team in some way. Everyone expects the team to fall apart, but instead they play even better. See TIki Barber for the 2007 Giants or even the Linsanity era for Carmelo Anthony (or that the Nuggets went 59-23 the next year without him). That fit Ewing perfectly. It’s a shame because it’s easy to forget that Patrick Ewing was really good.

#35. Kevin Durant

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’14)

NBA All-1st Team: 5x (’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ‘14)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’08)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’08)

NBA All-Star: 6x (’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Points Leader: 5x (’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14)

NBA Win Share Leader: 1x (‘14)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’14)

NBA PER Leader: 1x (’14)

NBA Top 5 Points: 6x (’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 4x (’10, ’12, ’13, ‘14)

Best Player on One Runner-Ups: ’12 Thunder

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): Not Ranked

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): Not Ranked

It’s not even close to too early yet for Durant. Durant’s already an offensive savant, efficiently leading the league in scoring for five years. His 2014 MVP campaign would be considered the 9^th best via WS/48 in the three point era, only behind LeBron, Jordan and David Robinson. The 2012 Thunder were so good led by Durant that I thought there was a legitimate chance they were winning the title…and then Durant dropped 36 in his first Finals game and the Thunder stole Game 1. Durant’s 2012 Finals stats: 30.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 54.8% FG.

I’d rather have five elite years from Durant than 8 or 9 very good years from someone like Ewing.

#34. Dave Cowens

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’73)

NBA All-2nd Team: 3x (’73, ’75, ‘76)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 1x (’76)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 2x (’75, ’80)

NBA Rookie of the Year: 1x (’71)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’71)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’73)

NBA All-Star: 8x (’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ‘80)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 7x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’78)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’73, ’76, ’78)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’75, ’76)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 7x (’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’78)

Best Player on Two Champions: ’74 Celtics, ’76 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 31st

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 44th

The big arguments in favor of Cowens are that he was the best guy on two title teams (and he had to beat Kareem for one of them) and his 1973 MVP (which probably should have been Kareem’s). Cowens of course had to contend with Kareem and Walton for any All-NBA nods, which is why he doesn’t have many of them. He bridged the Celtics from the Russell era to the Bird era, won a couple of championship and became one of the most popular Celtics of all time (although, he’s largely forgotten for whatever reason to anyone else). I can’t put him much higher than this as despite the two titles, it wasn’t like he got them by himself (Havilcek) and he wasn’t really in the best center of the 70s discussion.

#33. Steve Nash

Resume

NBA MVP: 2x (’05, ’06)

NBA All-1^st Team: 3x (’05, ’06, ’07)

NBA All-2nd Team: 2x (’08, ‘10)

NBA All-3^rd Team: (‘’02, ’03)

NBA All-Star: 8x (’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’10, ‘12)

NBA Assists Leader: 6x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’10, ’11)

NBA FT% Leader: 2x (’06, ’10)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 11x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ‘12)

NBA Top 6 FT%: 13x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’03, ’06, ‘07)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 4x (’03, ’05, ’06, ‘07)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Win Shares: 9x (’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘10)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 8x (’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’10)

NBA Career Assists: 3^rd

NBA Career FT%: 1^st

NBA Career 3P%: 10^th

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 10^th

NBA Career Offensive Win Shares: 14th

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 36th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 50th

Of anyone that benefitted from the 2004-2005 rule changes that barred hand-checking, Nash was #1. This rule transformed him from a very good point guard to league MVP. Had Mark Cuban and the Mavericks had the foresight to realize this, Dallas might have had a late 2000s dynasty (although Nash’s defense was always an issue).

How do we justify Nash being as high as 33^rd? Here’s a lengthy pro-con list for Nash.

Pros:

Was the 2^nd best player on teams that won 53, 57, 60 and 52 games. Now if you want to give all the credit to Dirk Nowitzki that’s fine. But then he transformed the Suns and was the best player on teams that won 62, 54 (after losing Amar’e Stoudemire), 61, 55, 46, and 54 games. That’s pretty impressive. Before the 62-20 season, the Suns were 29-53.

Won two straight MVPs, and there’s a good argument to be made that he should have been the 2007 MVP over Nowitzki.

Dragged the 2010 Suns to the Conference Finals and was two games away from the Finals. The 2010 Suns were not considered a good team.

His style of play turned out to be the prototype for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Cons:

Could never get to the NBA Finals. While he wasn’t beating the Spurs in 2005, he had legitimate shots in 2006 (lost to Dallas in the WCF), 2007 (Robert Horry checked him into a table, which led to several Suns suspensions and is a classic Donaghy game) and 2010 (where the Lakers couldn’t stop him…but his team wasn’t talented enough).

On the all-time worst defensive players team.

His 2005 MVP should have gone to Shaquille O’Neal. His 2006 MVP can go back and forth. It was impressive that the Suns were just as good without Ama’re. But still, Kobe Bryant had an 81 point game, a 62 point game and dragged a horrid Lakers team to the Western playoffs. LeBron is also a solid choice for 2006 MVP.

While the Suns got a lot better when Nash joined…the Mavericks also seemingly got better, making the Finals just two seasons later.

For me, re-inventing the game from the point guard position is going to justify his high ranking. Yeah, he couldn’t beat Duncan, he couldn’t beat Kobe, he couldn’t beat Nowitzki. But he was really really good.

#32. Kevin McHale

Resume

NBA Sixth Man of the Year: 2x (’84, ’85)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (‘87)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 3x (’86, ’87, ’88)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 3x (’83, ’89, ’90)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’81)

NBA All-Star: 7x (’84, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91)

NBA FG% Leader: 2x (’87, ‘88)

NBA Offensive Rating Leader: 1x (’88)

NBA Top 10 Points: 1x (’87)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 4x (’81, ’82, ’83, ’87)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 5x (’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88)

NBA Career Blocks: 26th

NBA Career FG%: 12^th

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’86 Celtics

6^th Man For Two Champions: ’81 Celtics, ’84 Celtics

2^nd Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’85 Celtics, ’87 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 35th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 26th

Probably the 3^rd greatest second banana of all-time behind Scottie Pippen and young Kobe. What makes McHale great is that he took a page out of the Chris Bosh and Pau Gasol playbook (well, they took a page out of his really) and gladly played a supporting role to a clear alpha dog in Larry Bird. His 1987 season showed that he could have been a legitimate 1^st team guy year in and year out (Bird even thought McHale might have been the MVP that year), but he wasn’t wired that way and was glad to take a backseat to Bird (which frustrated Bird to no end).

McHale is probably the greatest post player of all time as well. 60% FG on just crazy different post combinations. In addition to that, he was one of the best defensive players of his era and a possible starter on the all-time defense team.

#31. Walt Frazier

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 4x (’70, ’72, ’74, ’75)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’71, ’73)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 7x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ‘75)

NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’68)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’75)

NBA All-Star: 7x (’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’70)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 6x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’74, ‘75)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 2x (’74, ‘75)

NBA Top 7 Win Shares: 7x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ‘75)

NBA Top 6 WS/48: 5x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ‘73)

Best Player on One Champion: ’73 Knicks

2^nd Best Player on One Champion: ’70 Knicks

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’72 Knicks

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 32nd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 36^th

Regarded as one of the best defensive guards of all time. Also regarded as one of the best big game guards of all time (many would put him in the class with Jordan). In Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals he put up 36 points, 19 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals against Jerry West and the Lakers. Also can’t be forgotten Willis Reed was hurt for that game (“Here Comes Willis!”).

Why is Frazier this low then? Wasn’t a great shooter so the lack of a three point line in his era helped. His career was pretty short as a top guy.

Still, of all the New York Knicks of all time, Frazier is probably the favorite and the player where fans knew they could win the title with him. And they did twice.

Basketball

NBA Predictions 15-16

October 27, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

It’s almost time for another season of NBA basketball. The Pre-Season is usually the last time fans can have a realistic outlook for how their team will perform. While the NBA has traditionally lacked parity, several roster changes and several young stars making the leap allowed a Final Four involving four teams that hadn’t made a Final Four in years (Cleveland last made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009 thanks to the return of LeBron, Atlanta has to go back to 1970 before they were that close to the Finals, Golden State’s last Conference Finals was way back in 1976, and the emergence of Stephen Curry was a big reason why, and Houston last got to the WCF in 1997, led by the emerging James Harden). Once again the off-season had big pieces moving all around. That, combined with the emergence of some new stars (read: Anthony Davis) plus the return of some others (Kevin Durant) makes this another unpredictable NBA season…

Right?

Atlantic Division
Celtics: 46-36 (5)
Nets: 35-47
Raptors: 34-48
Knicks 32-50
76ers: 21-61

I swear each year this division gets worse and worse. There are two intriguing teams here. First we have who I predict will win the division, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics honestly are primed for another dynasty with a bunch of Brooklyn Nets picks and even a Dallas Mavericks 1^st too. Isaiah Thomas’ trade to Boston last year led to a 21-4 season finish and a playoff berth. Adding David Lee will only help the offense. The Raptors had made the playoffs two straight years and bring back potentially a more dangerous team than the last two years (adding DeMarre Carroll) but there was a lot of doubt in Coach Dwane Casey after a disappointing playoff exit and I think the Raptors go downhill until there’s a switch. The Nets are a mess, the Knicks need a huge Carmelo year and really I think they’re going to trade him anyway as he got his money, and the 76ers are like a PS2 Madden Franchise hoarding picks all over the place. Problem is, unlike Madden, those picks haven’t been guaranteed to be anything yet.

Central Division
Bulls: 54-28 (1)
Cavaliers: 52-30 (2)
Pacers: 44-38 (7)
Bucks: 38-44 (8)
Pistons: 35-47

Derrick Rose problems aside, I think the Bulls will improve from the coaching switch. Tom Thibodeau tired players throughout the season and played a defensive heavy system. Fred Hoiberg should open up the offense and rest guys appropriately. It’s like the poor man’s version of The Warriors switching from Mark Jackson to Steve Kerr last season. I expect Jimmy Butler to have a huge season as well. The only thing that will derail the Bulls will be if Rose and Butler have issues. The Cavs are the Cavs…which is a great thing for them. Irving’s injuries and the need to rest LeBron a bit will cost them some wins, but at this point it’s clear it doesn’t really matter as long as LeBron is good for the playoffs. The Pacers lost tons of pieces and even added Monta Ellis, but Paul George returning should be enough for 44 wins in the East, even if he plays the 4. The Bucks might be better than 38-44, but I think adding Greg Monroe will clog the pain and actually add problems for Jabari Parker. As long as Reggie Jackson starts at point guard for Detriot, the longer they’ll be stuck in mediocrity unless Andre Drummond goes off (and don’t rule that out).

Southeast Division
Heat: 49-33 (3)
Hawks: 48-34 (4)
Wizards: 45-37 (6)
Hornets: 35-47
Magic: 29-53

Miami should be able to reach the expectations they had last year post-LeBron. As long as Hassan Whiteside wasn’t a fluke, Chris Bosh is healthy, Dwyane Wade realizes he’s not who he once was and Goran Dragic gets to play his game they should be good. The Hawks lost Carroll but should be fine. 60 wins was a bit on the luck side last year. Washington has yet to tell me why they’ll be improving, and losing a veteran like Paul Pierce is only going to hurt. Could John Wall and Bradley Beal bring their games to the next level? Maybe, but I think they both actually have limited upsides and we’re close to them already. The Hornets would be a lot worse if they weren’t in the East. Orlando has a lot of young talent but has a long ways to go.

Northwest Division
Thunder: 51-31 (5)
Utah Jazz: 44-38 (8)
Trail Blazers: 31-51
Nuggets: 29-53
Timberwolves: 18-64

Of course, the return of a healthy Kevin Durant will be a huge deal, and Russell Westbrook played like a MVP candidate last year, but I sense that won’t work out too great here. 51-31 isn’t a bad record, but all the fears fans had in the past about Westbrook taking too many shots and Durant not taking enough will manifest this season now that Westbrook experienced the year he had last year. Yes Westbrook led the league in scoring last year. Yes he was ridiculous. But he’s not Kevin Durant. The Thunder have serious depth problems with Dion Waiters potentially in a starting role as well. My pick for the young team to improve is Utah. The Stifle Tower and Derrick Favors were pretty good last year. They were 19-10 after the All-Star Break. I think Damian Lillard is a dark horse for leading the league in scoring this year…to go along with 40% shooting. Denver’s pretty much a mess and will probably trade off all of their pieces, and Minnesota needs a couple of years still.

Pacific Division
Clippers: 62-20 (1)
Warriors: 59-23 (3)
Suns: 33-49
Kings: 33-49
Lakers: 30-52

My big prediction: this is the year the Clippers have a dominant regular season, and Chris Paul actually wins his first MVP trophy. When Stephen Curry (rightfully) won the ’15 MVP with a 23-7, that opened up the doors for someone like Paul. Golden State will be right there of course, unless Curry gets hurt. The Suns added Tyson Chandler, which made little sense at Phoenix is a team that needs to rebuild and won’t be contending. I see more George Karl-DeMarcus Cousins problems in Sacramento. Let’s be honest, the Lakers need to rebuild at this point. I think D’Angelo Russell is my Rookie of the Year pick though, unless Kobe never lets him touch the ball.

Southwest Division
Rockets: 60-22 (2)
Spurs: 52-30 (4)
Grizzlies: 48-34 (6)
Pelicans: 45-37 (7)
Mavericks: 38-44

James Harden should only get better (and he was actually my MVP pick last year) and Dwight Howard has somehow become underrated. The Ty Lawson upgrade, as long as his head is on straight, is going to be huge for Houston. Everyone seems to think the Spurs are going to control the league with LaMarcus Aldridge joining, but in reality it’s going to take some time for him to get used to the Spurs system after being the go to in Portland. Still…I think it works out by April. The Grizzlies are the same team they are every year. Anthony Davis is amazing, but the reality is his team is awful around him and guys like Tyreke Evans only looked better last year because of Davis’ presence. Davis is going to be in that Davis Robinson position for a while. As much as I love Dirk Nowitzki…Dallas just lost too much with Chandler and who knows what Chandler Parsons will be like this year.

But I did mention that I think the Spurs figure it out by April, and when they do they’ll get through this as tough as ever West and defeat Cleveland to win the franchise’s sixth Championship.

Basketball

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Ever: #50-#41

October 11, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

#50: James Worthy

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’88)

NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’90, ’91)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: ‘83

NBA All-Star: 7x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ‘92)

NBA Top 10 FG%: 5x (’83,’85, ’86, ’89, ’90)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 1x (’86)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (’86)

2^nd Best Player on Two Champions: ’87 Lakers, ’88 Lakers

3^rd Best Player on One Champion: ’85 Lakers

2^nd Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’89 Lakers, ’91 Lakers

3^rd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’84 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 50th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 58^th

A really tough career to project since he was Magic’s wingman for virtually his whole career. Simmons compares Worthy to Tom Chambers, and Chambers barely made the top 100 without the help of a Magic Johnson, so there’s that. Reason why he couldn’t drop lower than the Top 50? He was “Big Game” James. In the 1984 Finals, Worthy put up games of 29 PTS on 11/12 shooting, 30 points on 14/17 and three other 50%+ FG 20 point games in a tough loss to the Celtics. He made up for that by putting up 29 on 12/22, 33 on 13/17 and 28 on 11/15 in Boston, all wins for LA, in the 1985 Finals. He opened the 1987 Finals with a 33-10-9. He finished off the Bad Boy Pistons in 1988 with a 36-16-10 in Game 7…and even dropped 40 in the deciding game when they lost the next year (with no Magic). More evidence points to Worthy being great than not.

#49: Dennis Johnson

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’79)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (’81)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘80)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 6x (’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’87)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 3x (’84, ’85, ’86)

NBA All-Star: 5x (’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’85)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 1x (’80)

NBA Career Assists: 45^th

NBA Career Steals: 43rd

3^rd Best Player on One Champion: ’79 Sonics

Starter on Two Champions: ’84 Celtics, ’86 Celtics

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’78 Sonics

Starter on Two Runner-Ups: ’85 Celtics, ’87 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 54th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 53rd

DJ gets the nod over Worthy for a few reasons. For one, we don’t know how Worthy’s career projects without Magic Johnson…but we do know Johnson could thrive without Bird since he did in Seattle. Also, Worthy’s main attribute was big game scoring. DJ’s was big game defense and he could score as well. Big difference. In an All-Time defensive team, DJ fits right in there with Jordan, Payton, Moncreif in the greatest defensive guards before 2000 conversation (and maybe of all time as well). He hounded Magic in the ’84 Finals and also shut down Andrew Toney (Toney gave Boston tons of trouble in the early 80s and was a big reason the Sixers made the Finals in ’83). DJ was the best guard on teams that won 47, 52, 56, 57, 46, 53, 62, 63, 67 games.

#48: Bill Walton

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’78)

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’77)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (’78)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘77)

NBA All-Defensive 1^st Team: 2x (’77, ‘78)

NBA All-Star: 2x (’77, ‘78)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 2x (’78, ’86)

NBA Top 5 Rebounds: 1x (’77)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 2x (’77, ’78)

NBA Top 3 WS/48: 2x (’77, ’78)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 5x (’76, ’77, ’78, ’85, ’86)

Best Player on One Champion: ’77 Blazers

Sixth Man on One Champion: ’86 Celtics

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 27th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 74th

Bill Simmons’ asks whether or not you would want two and a half transcendent years and twelve other years full of injuries or fourteen quality years. He took the two and a half, a big reason why he had Walton so high up (he compared him to David Robinson) in his pyramid. At one time I agreed, but looking at it now Walton’s peak came in the messy late seventies. Theoretically the league was full of talent, but teams still weren’t able to figure out styles and such after the merger. When Walton went down in 1978 (he was so good that year he rightly won MVP after playing only 58 of 60 games anyway…Portland was 50-10 at the time) Portland went down with him, failing to even win one playoff series.

An idea of how good Walton was? He averaged 19-19-5-4 in the ’77 Finals where Portland won, including a 20-23-8-7 in the deciding game. He had pretty much no supporting cast (Mo Lucas, Bobby Gross, Lionel Hollins?) and it didn’t matter. As a bonus, he was an iconic sixth man on the ’86 Celtics. If he doesn’t get hurt, Walton probably gets into the Top 15.

#47: Stephen Curry

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’15)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (’15)

NBA All-2^nd Team: 1x (‘14)

NBA Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (‘10)

NBA All-Star: 2x (’14, ‘15)

NBA Steals Leader: 1x (’15)

NBA 3 PT FG Leader: 3x (’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA FT% Leader: 2x (’11, ’15)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’15)

NBA Top 10 Points: 3x (’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 5 Assists: 4x (’10, ’13, ’14, ‘15)

NBA Top 2 Steals: 2x (’14, ’15)

NBA Top 5 WS/48: 2x (’14, ‘15)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 10 PER: 2x (’14, ’15)

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 50^th

Best Player on One Champion: ’15 Warriors

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): Not Ranked

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): Not Ranked

Obviously not ranked on Simmons or Slam due to the fact that Curry began peaking in 2014. Gets the nod over Walton because his peak took place in an extremely talented time in the NBA (won MVP over LeBron for example). It’s absolutely terrifying to watch Curry if he’s playing against your team. A League MVP, a great WS/48 season and best player on a title team status? That’s good enough for top 50.

The difference between Curry and Derrick Rose is that Curry’s MVP doesn’t really have any doubt attached to it. Yeah, you can consider James Harden, but no one actually thinks Harden was robbed. In 2011, Rose was probably the third best player in the league that year, behind LeBron and Dwight Howard. And LeBron destroyed him in the Eastern Conference Finals. Curry had so such issues (although he did luck out as opposing PGs got hurt).

#46: Ray Allen

Resume

NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (’05)

NBA All-3rd Team: 1x (‘01)

NBA Rookie 2nd Team: 1x (‘97)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘11)

NBA 3 PT FG Leader: 1x (‘06)

NBA Offensive Win Share Leader: 1x (’01)

NBA Top 10 Points: 2x (’05, ‘06)

NBA Top 10 3 PT FG: 11x (’98, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’11)

NBA Top 10 FT%: 14x (’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 2x (’01, ’09)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (‘01)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 4x (’00, ’01, ’06, ’09)

NBA Career 3 PT FG: 1^st

NBA Career FT%: 7th

Third Best Player on One Champion: ’08 Celtics

Role Player on One Champion: ’13 Heat

Third Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’10 Celtics

Role Player on One Runner-Up: ’14 Heat

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 62nd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 79th

Pretty much Reggie Miller with a better post-season resume. Allen was very close (and probably deserved to be) the best player on a runner-up with the 2001 Bucks. He was clutch in the 2008 Finals against the Lakers. Everyone remembers the big comeback in Game 4…but somehow Allen playing all 48 minutes and closing the game out by driving past Sasha Vujacic in crunch time is forgotten. He was kinda robbed of Finals MVP in that series as well (50-50-90% shooting, 20 PPG). He hit a game winning three with no time left against Chicago in Round 1 in 2009, and also had a 51 point game later in the series. He also set a record with 8 threes in Game 2 against the Lakers in the Finals…although he fell apart later in that series. Of course he cemented his legacy as a clutch three point shooter, possibly surpassing Reggie as the best ever with his dagger of a three that saved LeBron’s legacy and the 2013 Miami Heat season. Most of that is just the late stage of his career. He was the top guy for a very good Bucks and a very good Sonics team (a Sonics team that gave the 2005 Champ Spurs a nice six game scare).

#45: Chauncey Billups

Resume

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’04)

NBA All-2nd Team: 1x (’06)

NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’07, ‘09)

NBA All-Defensive 2^nd Team: 2x (’05, ‘06)

NBA All-Star: 5x (’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ‘10)

NBA Offensive Rating Leader: 1x (’06)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 2x (’06, ’07)

NBA Top 10 FT%: 11x (’99, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 6x (’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ‘08)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 5x (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ‘09)

NBA Career FT%: 5^th

NBA Career 3P FG: 7th

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 18^th

Best Player on One Champion: ’04 Pistons

Best Player on One Runner-Up: ’05 Pistons

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): Not Ranked

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 124th

Easily the most underrated player of all time and it’s all due to perception. So let’s get to those perceptions and debunk them.

Number 1: The starting five for the 2004 Pistons were all equal…they were a real team and that’s why they won the title. Now defensively, I give Ben Wallace all the credit in the world and he did receive some consideration for my Top 100 due to his performance on the defensive end for the 2004 and 2005 Pistons. But offensively? Rasheed Wallace was a nice mid-season addition for a Pistons team that had already made a Conference Finals the year before with Billups. All I know is in Phil Jackson’s book The Last Season, he thinks about the Finals and starts off by thinking they are a team of equals…only to come to the conclusion that Billups was the key all along. That and when Chauncey left in 2008 the entire team fell apart. Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have done nothing of note since Chauncey left them. Not true for Chauncey…leading us too…

Number 2: Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets to the 2009 Conference Finals. Let the record show that Carmelo had the worst season of his early career in 2009 (.105 WS/48, 45% FG, 23 PPG, didn’t make the All-Star team), although he played great in the playoffs) and the Nuggets didn’t fall off at all. The Nuggets with Carmelo also made it past the first round for the first time…Chauncey had a 135 offensive rating in the playoffs. Detroit meanwhile fell out in Round 1. The difference was Chauncey.

Number 3: Chauncey was only good because of the slow it down style of the Pistons. Of course, this makes no sense as he succeeded with the Nuggets too.

Number 4: The Pistons era was overrated because the East was bad all those years. Of course, this isn’t fair to Chauncey as others have gotten this benefit too (and he got to the Conference Finals in the West anyway). Being the best player on a team that made seven straight Conference Finals is impressive no matter what the situation. His Pistons ended the Kidd era Nets, ended the Shaq-Kobe Lakers, nearly upset Duncan at his peak and even knocked LeBron down once. Sounds good enough for me.

In addition to all of that, Chauncey has great advanced numbers and a few All-NBA teams. He’s a great player.

#44: George Gervin

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 5x (’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82)

NBA All-2nd Team: 2x (’77, ‘83)

ABA All-2^nd Team: 2x (’75, ’76)

ABA All-Rookie 1^st Team: 1x (’73)

NBA All-Star: 9x (’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ‘85)

ABA All-Star: 3x (’74, ’75, ’76)

NBA Points Leader: 4x (’78, ’79, ’80, ’82)

NBA Top 6 Points: 8x (’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84)

ABA Top 7 Points: 3x (’74, ’75, ’76)

ABA Top 10 Blocks: 3x (’74, ’75, ’76)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 6x (’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82)

ABA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’74, ’75, ’76)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 3x (’77, ’78, ’79)

ABA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (76)

NBA Top 10 PER: 6x ( ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82)

ABA Top 10 PER: 3x (’74, ’75, ’76)

NBA+ABA Career Points: 15^th

ABA Career Blocks: 9th

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 34th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 45^th

The Iceman was one of the all-time great scorers…and that’s about it. Horrible defensive player and seemingly only cared about scoring points. But he was great at it, and in the late 70s where everything was screwed up roster wise, that was good enough to be one of the best players in the league. It never got him to the Finals though as he failed to get past those Unseld-Hayes Bullets teams. And once Magic and Bird came along, Gervin was never seeing the Finals.

Recently, his record of 33 points in a quarter was broken, but it tells you just what kind of scorer he was. His peak was too good to leave out of the Top 50.

#43: Sam Jones

Resume

NBA All-2nd Team: 3x (’65, ’66, ‘67)

NBA All-Star: 5x (’62, ’64, ’65, ’66, ‘68)

NBA Top 10 Points: 2x (’65, ‘66)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ‘66)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 10x (’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ‘68)

2^nd or 3^rd Best Player on Six Champions, Won Ten Championships Overall (’59 Celtics, ’60 Celtics, ’61 Celtics, ’62 Celtics, ’63 Celtics, ’64 Celtics, ’65 Celtics, ’66 Celtics, ’68 Celtics, ’69 Celtics)

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 33rd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 65th

Simmons gave the nod to Jones over Gervin because of the teammate aspect, the fact that Bill Russell praises Jones as his crunch time scorer. While I can’t say I’ve seen much of Sam Jones other than some Youtube highlights, but I have seen Gervin and I know he’s a me-first guy and probably the biggest reason the Spurs didn’t win a title. So I’ll take Simmons word on this.

I’ll also provide the list of great playoff games Jones had that Simmons provided, which was more than enough to sway me.

Hit a game winner in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. ’62 Sixers in Game 7, scored 27…Scored 35 against the ’62 Lakers in the Finals…scored 27 in Game 7 of the ’62 Finals vs. the Lakers…scored 47 against Oscar and the Royals in another Game 7…37 in Game 7 of the ’65 Sixers series…34 Points in Game 5 of the ’65 Royals series…hit a game winner in Game 4 of the ’69 Lakers series. That’s not all of them…but you get the point.

#42: Clyde Drexler

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (‘92)

NBA All-2nd Team: 2x (’88, ‘91)

NBA All-3rd Team: 2x (’88, ‘95)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’86, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’96, ‘97)

NBA Top 10 Points: 3x (’88, ’89, ‘92)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’86)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 6x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’95)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 6x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ‘95)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 6x (’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ‘95)

NBA Top 10 PER: 4x (’88, ’89, ’92, ‘95)

NBA Career Points: 29th

NBA Career Steals: 7^th

2^nd Best Player on one Champion: ’95 Rockets

Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’90 Blazers, ’92 Blazers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 44th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 42nd

I’ll just start off with saying I agree with Michael Jordan…that Drexler was a poor man’s Michael Jordan.

It may not seem completely fair, but that’s what he was. Primarily an inside drive guy with a shaky outside shot…only Drexler wasn’t remotely a good three point shooter either. His peak in the late 80s and early 90s was impressive…he got to the Finals before Jordan did…but he failed at that level and then was destroyed by Jordan in ’92. Amazingly, he begins to decline at age 30 in 1993 in what only could be described as a player who’s confidence was destroyed.

There’s not much else to say about Drexler. He was a really good player, sometimes great, that couldn’t get his teams to the finish line. His career was swallowed up by Jordan. It goes farther than the ’92 Finals. Remember, Portland didn’t pick Jordan because they had Drexler. And of course, Drexler’s ring came in the 2^nd of Jordan’s baseball years.

And of course…there was the 1992 Finals. Poor Drexler.

#41: George Mikan

Resume

NBA All-1^st Team: 6x (’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA All-Star: 4x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA Points Leader: 3x (’49, ’50, ’51)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 1x (’53)

NBA PER Leader: 3x (’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA Offensive Win Share Leader: 2x (’49, ’51)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 5x (’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA Win Share Leader: 3x (’49, ’50, ’51)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’53)

NBA Top 4 Points: 6x (’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’49)

NBA Top 3 Rebounds: 4x (’51, ’52, ’53, ‘54)

NBA Top 4 Win Shares: 6x (’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 3x (’52, ’53, ‘54)

Best Player on Five Champions: ’49 Lakers, ’50 Lakers, ’52 Lakers, ’53 Lakers, ’54 Lakers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 38th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 29^th

Obviously a product of his era. Once the shot clock and bigger lane came into play, Mikan was done. He absolutely dominated the early NBA and even the NBL. He was basketball’s first great player and dominated the league. That has to count for something.

Basketball

Top 100 Basketball Players Ever: #60-#51

September 9, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

#60: Bernard King

Resume

All-NBA 1st Team: 2x (’84, ‘85)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 1x (’82)

All-NBA 3^rd Team: 1x (’91)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: (’78)

NBA All-Star: 4x (’82, ’84, ’85, ‘91)

NBA PPG Leader (55 G): 1x (’85)

NBA Top 10 Points: 4x (’78, ’81, ’82, ’84)

NBA Top 5 Win Shares: 1x (’84)

NBA Top 2 WS/48: 1x (’84)

NBA Top 10 PER: 2x (’81, ’82)

NBA Career Points: 42nd

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 58th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 69^th

I’ll admit to being a little skeptical overall of King, considering that his resume is quite short. With one (major) exception, it looked like King had one of the unluckiest careers in NBA history regarding injuries and style clashing. Bill Simmons described King as unstoppable from 1983-1985. This seems relevant as that’s part of one of the toughest eras in professional basketball history. This didn’t matter to King, the lone blue chipper for the early 80s Knicks, as he put together two NBA 1^st teams and led the Knicks to the playoffs a couple of those years as well. In 1985, while leading the league in scoring he blew out his knee and never was the same. That, combined with King being stuck in Hubie Brown’s slowdown style, limited King to what he could have been.

Of course, King’s career is also hampered by cocaine use early in his career. His drug use limited him just as much as his later injuries would, I mean, isn’t it odd that King took so many years to peak, and when he did he was downright unstoppable in a tough era? Those King years at the top represent the player we wanted Carmelo Anthony to become, only it never quite happened for Melo (and probably isn’t at this point).

And then there’s this. Despite the injuries and such, King came back in 1991 and randomly put up a 28.4 PPG season at age 34. Combine that with his reputation, his long standing record of 60 points at MSG (which Kobe broke when Wilson Chandler couldn’t guard him) and that he was so good that his 55 game 1985 season still got him All-1^st Team honors over Michael Jordan, and well I’ll have to push my skepticism to the side.

#59: Elvin Hayes

Resume

All-NBA 1st Team: 3x (’75, ’77, ‘79)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 3x (’73, ’74, ‘76)

All-NBA Defensive 2^nd Team: (’73, ’74)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: (’69)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ‘80)

NBA Points Leader: 1x (’69)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 2x (’70, ’74)

NBA Defensive Rating Leader: 1x (’75)

NBA Defensive Win Shares Leader: 3x (’71, ’74, ’75)

NBA Top 10 Points: 7x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’75, ’77, ‘80)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 13x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 8x (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81)

NBA Top 10 Steals: 1x (’75)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’74, ’75, ‘77)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 12x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 1x (’75)

NBA Top 10 PER: 2x (’81, ’82)

NBA Career Points: 9^th

NBA Career Rebounds: 4^th

NBA Career Blocks: 22^nd

Best Player on One NBA Champion: ’78 Bullets

Best Player on Two Runner-Ups: ’75 Bullets, ’79 Bullets

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 51st

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 23rd

Looking at the resume you’re likely to side with Slam’s ranking of Hayes than Simmons. Here are the following quotes about Hayes from various publications and sportswriters at the time:

“During his four years with the Rockets, Hayes was variously considered a ball hog, a rotten apple, a dumbbell and a guaranteed loser.” –Sports Illustrated, 1974

“Individualism overcame Elvin in yet another big contest.”

“Hayes once more disappeared in the moments of crisis.”

“It’s imperative for the Bullets that their only real name player and 10 year All-Star justify his status by not dissolving at the end of the seventh game [of the Finals].” – Curry Kirkpatrick, Sports Illustrated, 1978

“You stay away from that no-good fucking prick.” – Rockets’ Coach Bill Fitch, on what he reportedly told rookie Ralph Sampson when Hayes said he wanted to mentor him.

Now, being a jerk and being hated by the sports media doesn’t mean you’re a bad player (although, it’s a good sign that you’re a terrible teammate and a potential locker room cancer), so let’s go with a couple of game related stories.

Hayes may be the worst “best player on a title team ever”, and it’s debated about whether or not he really was the best player on that 1978 title team (Unseld). The defining story? After scoring a total of 19 fourth quarter points in six Finals games in 1978, and calls for him to step up in Game 7, Hayes fouled out with 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter of that Game 7. The Bullets, on the road, managed to win the title without him as Unseld won Finals MVP. Not exactly MJ against Utah. Speaking of Utah, in terms of clutchness Hayes is regarded as the poor man’s Karl Malone. That’s not a compliment. All of this combined with that he peaked during a weak era of pro basketball, the 1970s, and his lowish ranking starts to make some sense.

#58: Paul Arizin

Resume

All-NBA 1st Team: 3x (’52, ’56, ‘57)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 1x (’59)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’51, ’52, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Points Leader: 2x (’52, ’57)

NBA Win Share Leader: 1x (’52)

NBA Offensive Win Share Leader: 1x (’52)

NBA Top 10 Points: 9x (’51, ’52,’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 2x (’51, ’52)

NBA Top 10 PER: 4x (’52, ’56, ’57, ’59)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 8x: (’51, ’52, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’59, ’60, ’61)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: (’52, ’56, ’57, ’59)

First Player to average 20+PPG for Nine Straight Seasons

Best Player on One NBA Champion: ’56 Warriors

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 56th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 71st

The first player to ever use a jump shot, which seems important from a historical point of view. Arizin was the best player on the last pre-Russell NBA Champs, the ’56 Warriors. He had a killer post-season that year (29-8, .262 WS/48). Would have probably had more All-Stars, but in ’53 and ’54 he was forced into military duty and didn’t play. He ended his career on a high note, averaging a 23-7 for the Sixers as they almost beat the ’62 Celtics. Arizin is one of the top examples that Wilt Chamberlain in fact had great players as teammates too.

#57: Dolph Schayes

Resume

All-NBA 1st Team: 6x (’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’57, ’58)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 6x (’50, ’51, ’56, ’59, ’60, ’61)

NBA All-Star: 12x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Rebounds Leader: 1x (’51)

NBA FT% Leader: 3x (’58, ’60, 62)

NBA Win Share Leader: 1x (’58)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’54)

NBA Defensive Win Share Leader: 1x (’55)

NBA Top 10 Points: 11x (’51, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 12x (’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 3x (’50, ’51, ’57)

NBA Top 3 FT%: 10x: (’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Top 10 PER: 10x: (’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’61, ‘62)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 11x: (’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60)

NBA Career Rebounds: 26^th

Best Player on One NBA Champion: ’55 Nationals

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 52nd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 35th

Like Hayes, an outstanding resume that merits Schayes being ranked higher. Schayes issue is the era he played in: the 1950s. Before Bill Russell showed up Schayes was one of the best players in the early NBA along with George Mikan (who we’ll get to). After Russell (and others), Schayes stopped winning in the playoffs. That’s fine. The total weight of his resume gives him a decent amount of credit, and I put him above Hayes as Schayes defining story (playing a full season with a broken arm and just switching his main hand) is a lot better than Hayes.

It’s always going to be tough to rank the 1950s guys. They will always take a hit (half of Dolph’s career was even before the shot clock existed) ranking wise. Dolph’s resume was too good to drop outside the Top 60.

#56: Dominique Wilkins

Resume

All-NBA 1st Team: 1x (‘86)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 4x (’87, ’88, ’91, ’93)

All-NBA 3^rd Team: 2x (’89, ’94)

NBA All-Star: 9x (’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94)

NBA PPG Leader: 1x (’86)

NBA Top 10 Points: 9x (’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’94)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 2x: (’86, ‘87)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: (’87, ’93)

NBA Career Points: 12^th

NBA Career Steals: 56^th

NBA Career Offensive Rebounds: 31st

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 55th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 43rd

If you’re siding with Dominique to be 15-20 spots higher, you’re rewarding individual and arguably selfish play over team ball. You can look at the fact that ‘Nique never got past round 2 in two ways: he clashed against the Bad Boy Pistons, Bird’s Celtics and Jordan’s Bulls…or you can come to the conclusion that a self-absorbed all O and no D scorer who did nothing to make his teammates better couldn’t will his teams to the finish line.

It doesn’t mean that Dominique wasn’t a great player. His Hawks teams routinely made the playoffs and even won 50+ games from ’86-’89 (peaking at 57 in 1987) and he didn’t have that much of a supporting cast (Kevin Willis and Doc Rivers were his best teammates). So he has to get credit for that. He had one chance to get to the Conference Finals, but his 47 wasn’t enough (Bird scored 20 in the 4^th and Boston won by 2). But again, his defense was a problem for the Hawks in that game as well. How far can a no defense guy get in the playoffs without a strong defensive unit around him or a top shot blocking center? Not far enough it seems.

#55: Chris Paul

Resume

NBA Rookie of the Year: ‘06

All-NBA 1st Team: 4x (’08, ’12, ’13, ‘14)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 2x (’09, ‘15)

All-NBA 3^rd Team: 1x (‘11)

All-NBA Defensive 1^st Team: 5x (’09, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

All-NBA Defensive 2^nd Team: 1x (’08)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: ‘06

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’13)

NBA All-Star: 8x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ‘15)

NBA Assists Leader: 3x (’08, ’09, ’15)

NBA Steals Leader: 5x (’06, ’08, ’09, ’11, ’12)

NBA Win Shares Leader: 1x (’08)

NBA Offensive Win Shares Leader: 3x (’08, ’12, ’15)

NBA WS/48 Leader: 1x (’08)

NBA Top 10 Points: 2x (’09, ‘15)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 10x (’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 3 Steals: 8x (’06, ’08, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 7x (’08, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 8x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 10 PER: 8x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Top 10 Offensive Rating: 8x (’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15)

NBA Career Assists: 16th

NBA Career Steals: 26^th

NBA Career APG: 3^rd

NBA Career SPG: 4^th

NBA Career Offensive Rating: 1st

NBA Career Win Shares: 32^nd

NBA Career WS/48: 3^rd

NBA Career PER: 6th

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 90th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 107th

On paper, CP3 is already one of the greatest basketball players ever. He either holds or is on pace to hold many different records (both traditional and advanced). He would hold a spot on the starting five best two way players in the NBA right now, and would even have a chance at an all-time version. He was absolutely robbed of the MVP in 2008 (sorry Kobe fans) where he put up 21.1 PPG, 11.6 APG, 4 RPG and 2.7 SPG while only having 2.5 turnovers a game for a 56 win Hornets team. Only players in NBA history to put up 20 PPG, 11 APG and 2 SPG in a season are CP3 and Isiah…although CP3 did it with less turnovers and shot a higher percentage.

So what holds CP3 back from a higher ranking? For some reason or another he also can’t get past round 2 of the playoffs. Twice he’s gotten to Game 7 of the 2^nd round and once to a super close Game 6, and each time he fell short. In 2008 a 22 year old Paul has been dominating the playoffs and had a 3-2 lead on the Spurs…but the Spurs shocked the Hornets in Game 7 as Paul was “held” to a 18-14-8-5. He was masterful for the most part in the six game loss to the Thunder in 2014, averaging 22-12-4 and 2 and a half steals for the series, but Durant and Westbrook were too good and the Thunder prevailed. Both of those losses though could be justified. What wasn’t justified was the Clippers blowing their series against Houston last year. Putting that together with the up 3-2 against the Spurs and the Thunder series (famously lost Game 5 despite being up 7 with 50 seconds to go) one has to wonder why Chris Paul teams keep blowing huge games (even in round 1 last year against the Spurs, a series that the Clippers won and Paul was masterful in Game 7 in, there were several blunders along the way, especially in Game 2, which made you question the toughness of the Clippers). Until he can rectify this, I don’t know if he’ll ever crack the top 40.

But I think he’ll do it eventually. He’s 30 years old now and should still have 3-4 elite years left. The talent is there. The coaching is there. They have beaten great teams (like the Spurs last year). Is Chris Paul the leader we all think he is? Or is there a little bit of Oscar Robinson in him…someone who’s teammates play in fear of him and as a result screw up in the clutch? We’ll find out.

#54: Billy Cunningham

Resume

ABA MVP: 1x (’73)

All-NBA 1st Team: 3x (’69, ’70, ‘71)

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 1x (’72)

All-ABA 1^st Team: 1x (’73)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: ‘66

ABA Steals Leader: 1x (’73)

NBA All-Star: 4x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72)

ABA All-Star: 1x (’73)

ABA Steals Leader: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 Points: 3x (’69, ’70, ’71)

ABA Top 5 Points: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 1x (’75)

ABA Top 3 Assists: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 2x (’69, ’70)

ABA Top 5 Rebounds: 1x (’73)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 1x (’70)

ABA Top 3 Win Shares: 1x (’73)

Sixth Man For One Champion: ’67 Sixers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 49th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 41st

At first it doesn’t feel like he has the resume, although both Simmons and Slam rank him quite highly. His ABA MVP year is nothing to sneeze at: 24-12-6 with 2 and a half steals per game. Ranked in the top 5 in points, top 3 in assists and top 5 in rebounds while leading the ABA in steals during his MVP year. Simmons thought he was good enough to be the 1969 MVP (22-11-3). He’s regarded as the best small forward for a five year stretch. He’s another example that Wilt played with great players during his career, and Cunningham was a solid 6^th man (15 PPG) for that ’67 Sixers team that won the title (in regards to his playstyle, he’s compared to Manu).

#53: Hal Greer

Resume

All-NBA 2^nd Team: 7x (’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ‘69)

NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1x (’68)

NBA All-Star: 10x (’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ‘70)

NBA Top 10 Points: 6x (’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68)

NBA Top 10 Assists: 4x (’64, ’65, ’66, ’68)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 3x (’63, ’66, 68)

2^nd Best Player on One Championship Team: ’67 Sixers

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 48th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 59^th

Another not quite impressive resume…but Greer gets ranked this high for being Wilt’s 2^nd banana (scoring 27.7 PPG in the ’67 playoffs where the Sixers won the title) as well as for his consistency year in and year out. There’s not much else to say about Greer. Players from his era respected his work ethic and thought he had a beautiful jump shot. He also shot free throws with his jumper. Nonetheless, season after season of 20 PPG as primarily a 2^nd banana with a Championship is nothing to sneeze at. More proof Wilt played with great players.

#52: Nate Thurmond

Resume

All-NBA Defensive 1^st Team: 2x (’69, ’71)

All-NBA Defensive 2^nd Team: (’72, ’73, ’74)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: ‘64

NBA All-Star: 7x (’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’70, ’73, ‘74)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 8x (’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’72, ‘73)

NBA Top 10 Blocks: 2x (’74, ‘75)

NBA Top 5 Defensive Rating: 1x (’75)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 8x (’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’72, ’73, ’75)

NBA Career Rebounds: 10th

2^nd Best Player on One Runner-Up: (’67 Warriors)

Starter on One Runner-Up: (’64 Warriors)

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 45th

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 34th

Probably in the starting lineup for the all-time underrated team. He mad no All-NBA teams but for a very good reason: his career coincided with Wilt, Russell, Kareem and Reed (and there was no Third Team back then). Regarded as the 2^nd best defensive center in the league after Russell. Recorded 2.9 BPG when he was washed up in ’74…it was the first year the NBA recorded blocks. Had the first recorded quadruple double (22 PTS, 14 REB, 13 AST, 12 BLK) in 1974.

His lack of championship success was because of two things. One, he was ridiculously unlucky as Rick Barry bolted the Warriors for the ABA. Had he stayed, some of those early 70s titles probably go to the Warriors. When Barry came back the Warriors traded him to Chicago to save money…and Thurmond almost made them pay as the Bulls took the Warriors to 7 games in the Western Finals.

The second part was what kept him off of all those All-NBA teams. He wasn’t getting past Russell, Wilt or Kareem. Kareem and Wilt both said Thurmond was their toughest defender in the early 70s. Just think of the rich man’s Dikembe Mutombo here.

#51: Wes Unseld

Resume

NBA MVP: 1x (’69)

NBA Finals MVP: 1x (’78)

NBA All-1^st Team: 1x (’69)

All-NBA Rookie 1^st Team: ‘69

NBA All-Star: 5x (’69, ’71, ’72, ’73, ‘75)

NBA Top 10 Rebounds: 10x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’80)

NBA Top 3 Offensive Rating: 1x (’79)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Rating: 2x (’75, ’76)

NBA Top 10 Win Shares: 5x (’69, ’70, ’73, ’75, ’76)

NBA Top 10 WS/48: 2x (’69, ’75)

NBA Top 10 Defensive Win Shares: 8x (’69, ’70, ’71, ’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ‘78)

NBA Career Rebounds: 12th

2^nd Best Player on One NBA Champion: ’78 Bullets

2^nd Best Player on Three Runner-Ups: ’71 Bullets, ’74 Bullets, ’79 Bullets

Simmons Pyramid Ranking (2010): 42nd

Slam Magazine 500 Ranking (2011): 33^rd

A strange resume that you’ll have to ignore statistics to appreciate. Defensively, Unseld wasn’t a shot blocker…yet put up some really good defensive rating and defensive win shares numbers. He wasn’t a scorer, yet was really efficient offensively. He was arguably the best player (I know we said Hayes, but ugh) on that ’78 Bullets team for doing all the dirty work (screens, rebounding) and for being the greatest outlet passer in NBA history (Red Auerbach said that perhaps only Russell was better). So it’s just going to be impossible to capture the impact Unseld had through awards and statistics.

Here’s the thing. Back in the 60s and early 70s…the players voted on the league MVP. Sure they got carried away with it and Unseld wasn’t the correct choice…but it’s something that he did win MVP, no? His opponents thought he was that difficult to deal with playing against him. And Unseld showed it was at least somewhat of a worthy accolade as he’d win the ’78 Finals MVP. So there’s more evidence that he’s a great player than not. What a tough player to rank.

Basketball

RDT’s 2015 NBA Playoff Predictions: Round 1

April 18, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

We’ve just completed one of the better seasons in NBA storylines. For the first time in what seems like a while, the NBA Playoffs are moderately unpredictable. There are two teams in the East with a realistic chance of making the Finals, then any one of five (sorry Portland) can do the same. I could even think of conceivable longshot scenarios for the remaining three teams in the West. We’ve had MVP caliber seasons from four different players (Westbrook, Harden, Curry and Davis), and a semi-MVP season (from LeBron). It’s going to be a fun playoffs and we’re just going to dive into round 1 here.

Western Conference

#1 Golden State Warriors (67-15) vs. #8 New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)

It’s really hard to make the case for the Pelicans here. Let’s try. Anthony Davis is ridiculous. Anthony Davis is incredible. Anthony Davis is a once in a lifetime talent. Anthony Davis carried a team with three inefficient overrated players (Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday) to the 8^th seed in a loaded Western Conference. And his team beat out a team with the possessed Russell Westbrook to get that spot. It’s quite impressive. Davis just put up a PER that’s only been surpassed by Wilt, Jordan and LeBron. Unfortunately, because of his supporting cast he may just be in a similar situation as David Robinson in the early-90s.

The Warriors are too deep and too good at everything. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson just destroyed the league from the guard positions. Curry, the likely MVP of the league, was the only player this season to boast a WS/48 that was higher than Davis’ this year. The Warriors are also the best defensive team in the league, thanks to Andrew Bogut (fun fact: I knew right there that Bogut for Monta Ellis a few seasons ago was an absolutely steal for the Warriors) and Draymond Green. The Warriors are so good they willing bench David Lee, someone who could still be a 17-9 guy in the league. Then there is this gem from Bill Simmons: The Warriors are one of seven teams to have a .800 winning percentage and a points differential of plus-10. The other six? ’71 Bucks, ’72 Lakers, ’92 Bulls, ’96 Bulls, ’97 Bulls and ’08 Celtics. Two points to note from that. One: That’s three Michael Jordan teams, which is ridiculous. And two: all six of those teams won the title. All of them. It’s going to be hard to not pick the Warriors here.

Davis is worth a win with some crazy 35-17-6-3-3 game or something. But Golden State just isn’t losing here.

Warriors in 5

#2 Houston Rockets (56-26) vs. #7 Dallas Mavericks (50-32)

A very interesting match-up that is a lot closer than it seems.

There are some interesting parallels here. Both the Rockets and Mavericks made controversial mid-season moves, and neither really worked out. Rajon Rondo has feuded with Rick Carlisle and hasn’t fit in with Monta Ellis in the Dallas Mavericks. Josh Smith brought his normal inefficient offense to Houston and didn’t provide the help the injured Dwight Howard and James Harden needed. Both teams have a defensive monster at center…Howard for Houston and Tyson Chandler for Dallas, although one of those isn’t as good as he once was. Both Carlisle and Kevin McHale, the two head coaches, were Celtics. Both teams are from Texas. Ok I’m nitpicking now.

Here’s the thing. The James Harden-led Rockets have yet to win a playoff series. The main pieces of the Mavericks: Carlisle as a coach, Rondo, Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler have all won the title before, and three of those did it in Dallas. Dallas proved to be a tough out (the only one) last year against San Antonio because they have guys who knows that it takes to get the job done in the playoffs.

When you really look at it, how do the Rockets win this series? They are virtually a one man offensive team. The Mavericks are built to stop those types of teams with Chandler in the middle. Dallas played Houston very tough this season as well: Houston won on the road by 7 and at home by 5 and 3. Dallas won one game in Dallas by 11. If Nowitzki gets into his prime form, and Ellis doesn’t shoot them out of games, I don’t know if Houston can contain Dallas.

The problem is Nowitzki regress enough this season to cause concern about taking over a playoff series. I don’t believe in Monta Ellis, and I still don’t see the Rondo fit. Chandler will cause all kinds of problems for Harden, but I don’t think Dallas will be able to pull it out. If this was last year’s Nowitzki, I’d pick them.

Rockets in 7.

#3 Los Angeles Clippers (56-26) vs. #6 San Antonio Spurs (55-27)

Poor Chris Paul. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this script before. Gregg Popovich just knows how to create defensive schemes that limit Paul. In 2008 the Spurs beat Paul’s great Hornets team in a New Orleans. In 2012 the Spurs swept Paul’s Clippers. This is one of those I need to see it happen situations before I can take the Clippers.

The other part of this equation: the Spurs are basketball’s best team this last one-eighth of the season. The ageless Tim Duncan has been on top of his game. Kawhi Leonard is an elite defender…basically the new age Bruce Bowen only with a crazy offensive game to go with it…and perhaps a top 20 player in the league right now. Tony Parker is peaking. Everything is going right for the Spurs.

Maybe this is poor analysis, but I need to see it from the Clippers before I pick them against San Antonio. Great Chris Paul and Blake Griffin seasons be damned.

Spurs in 6

#4 Portland Trail Blazers (51-31) vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies (55-27)

Portland just hasn’t been the same since LaMarcus Aldridge hurt his hand and Wes Mathews was out for the season. Portland is merely 19-19 in their last 38 games and only got the 4^th seed due to the NBA’s weird seeding rules for division champs.

It doesn’t help Portland that the Grizzlies are one of the toughest defense teams out there. Marc Gasol is a former defensive player of the year, Tony Allen is always a threat to win the award and Mike Conley is as tough as he comes. There’s the general overall toughness of Zach Randolph too.

Portland is just trending downward. Memphis is just a tough team to beat and Portland’s injuries just makes this way too tough. Damian Lillard needs to have the series of his life for Portland to have chance here. Memphis has home court too, although that won’t even come into play here.

Grizzles in 4.

Eastern Conference

#1 Atlanta Hawks (60-22) vs. #8 Brooklyn Nets (38-44)

The Nets are the sneaky hot team that might get some “upset special” calls. I thought that a bit too, but then that meant I was relying on Deron Williams (washed up at 30 apparently, overrated to begin with), Joe Johnson (anyone notice the Hawks have had a great run since Johnson left them?) and Brook Lopez (always a threat to go back to a good offensive player who somehow can’t rebound despite being 7 foot). The Nets are the 2004 New York Knicks. Congrats.

I’m not a big fan of the Hawks, and I think they may be one of the worst 60 win teams ever, but I can get into that when they are playing the Cavs in the Conference Finals. Until then, let’s just go with the obvious and take the Hawks here.

Hawks in 4.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) vs. #7 Boston Celtics (40-42)

Another easy call here. The Celtics have been super hot and 29-12 in the last half of the season. Isaiah Thomas has been a key asset and the Celtics are just gelling. Brad Stevens has proven to be a great coach.

The Cavs started 19-20. They are 34-10 since. LeBron is in near peak form, which really might be better than anyone else in the league still. Kyrie Irving has improved leaps and bounds. Kevin Love, while not at the level he once was, actually had a good season that no one realizes. Mozgov, Shumpert and JR have been great pieces.

I’ll give Boston one because Thomas might have a nice 30 pointer in there. But…yeah, not yet Boston. Not yet.

Cavs in 5

#3 Chicago Bulls (50-32) vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)

Jason Kidd deserves something for bringing the Bucks to the playoffs. But I mean, this should be as obvious as the other two series we’ve covered so far.

Sure the Bucks will play it tough. But they just don’t have the talent. Michael-Carter Williams is a fun…but probably bad player. Is The Greak Freak ready to have the series of his life? Even so, that may not be enough.

I expect the Bulls to really be tough this year. Pau Gasol provides that Championship experience. Mirotic is a great bench piece. Jimmy Butler is the best player on this team and is probably the front runner for Most Improved Player of the Year. The Bulls don’t need the old Derrick Rose to beat these Bucks.

Bulls in 5

#4 Toronto Raptors (49-33) vs. #5 Washington Wizards (46-36)

Paul Pierce gets to face the Raptors again in round 1!

No one outside of Toronto or Washington cares about this series. The Raptors are 12-16 in their last 28. The Wizards are 13-15 in their last 28. Not inspiring here. John Wall went from fun young player to overrated (as did Bradley Beal, really). Kyle Lowry went from underrated to irrelevant. For DeMar DeRozan, see Beal. The only player I really trust on either of these teams is Paul Pierce, which is pretty telling (I actually like Jonas as well for Toronto, so I’m lying here).

I’ll pick the Wizards though, because they have some playoff experience under their belt…they almost made the Conference Finals last year afterall…and Paul Pierce is the type of veteran that can help here. The Wizards are the best of the rest of the East (outside of the top 3), but that doesn’t mean they are any good. To be honest, it doesn’t mean they were that good to begin with.

But I need a reason to believe in Toronto and I don’t have one. At least I have one with Washington.

Wizards in 6

Basketball

This Day In Sports 4-15: “Havlicek Stole The Ball!” (1965)

April 15, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

The great Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s boasted some of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game…and had a little luck along the way. In 1965 Wilt Chamberlain’s 76ers had a chance to get by Boston being down by 1 in a crucial game 7 with five seconds left. Interestingly, had the 76ers pulled it out, this would have been known as the one game where Bill Russell didn’t come through in the clutch. Russell accidentally hit a wire that held up the backboards with an inbounds pass that resulted in a turnover. This allowed the Sixers their one last chance.

There is an interesting story about this play chronicled in Bill Simmons’ Big Book of Basketball. Simmons writes that John Havilcek knew the ball wasn’t going to Chamberlain here, as Chamberlain was deathly afraid of being fouled and being put on the line in this clutch moment. Hall of Famer Hal Greer instead looked toward Chet Walker, and the rest is history. Johnny Most’s iconic call of “Havlicek Stole The Ball!” was perfect for yet another clutch play by the 60s Celtics dynasty.

Basketball

This Day in Sports 4-11: Corey Brewer Goes Off For 51 Points! (2014)

April 11, 2015 rdtworldofsport@gmail.com

This time last year Corey Brewer went crazy on the playoff bound Rockets. Brewer averaged merely 12.3 PPG for the 13-14 season and came off point totals of 6, 12, 15, 14 and 9 in his last five before his 51 point explosion.

Here’s every field goal for Brewer’s game of a lifetime.

RDT World of Sport

Tag Archives: NBA

2016 NBA Playoff Predictions: Round 2!

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Of All-Time: The Top 10

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time: #30-#21

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Of All-Time: #40-#31

NBA Predictions 15-16

Top 100 Greatest Basketball Players Ever: #50-#41

Top 100 Basketball Players Ever: #60-#51

RDT’s 2015 NBA Playoff Predictions: Round 1

This Day In Sports 4-15: “Havlicek Stole The Ball!” (1965)

This Day in Sports 4-11: Corey Brewer Goes Off For 51 Points! (2014)

And Games….And All Fun Stuff!