When someone says a player is a Game Changer, what does that

[JordansBulls]

When someone says a player is a Game Changer, what does that imply to you?

I hear the term thrown around loosely.

To me it basically implies a guy who is a top 5-7 MVP candidate who puts up great numbers and can carry a team.

[Bomb_First]

Pretty much what you said JB. Its kind of like when people throw the word superstar around. When imo there are only like 5 legit superstars in the NBA.

[ThreeYearPlan]

defensive anchors should also be included

[SolidSnake008]

my game changers in any order:
1.Lebron
2.Kobe
3.Durant
4.Dwight
5.Wade

Honorable mentions: Dirk, Melo, Bosh, 50/50 on Deron williams and Amare

Those are the cream of the crop when it comes to game changers just a cut above the rest

[sp6r=underrated]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

[WindyCity]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

Lol.

I think as most people have said, it's a player who has the capability of carrying his team. To go further, I think it's a guy who can BE the difference between a win and a loss. Like the other night against the Celtics, Wade was a game changer.

[USA]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

A key difference is the 'game changer' actually brings something positive.

[SolidSnake008]

short and sweet definition of a game changer is someone who can impose their will on a game

[FlashTheKilla]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

A key difference is the 'game changer' actually brings something positive.

False. Jermaine O'Neal is also a certified game changer.

[USA]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

A key difference is the 'game changer' actually brings something positive.

False. Jermaine O'Neal is also a certified game changer.

He brings something positive to the other team.

[Lionel Messi]

my game changers in any order:
1.Lebron
2.Kobe
3.Durant
4.Dwight
5.Wade

Honorable mentions: Dirk, Melo, Bosh, 50/50 on Deron williams and Amare

Those are the cream of the crop when it comes to game changers just a cut above the rest

Lol...Other than omitting Chris Paul that's my top 10 (minus Amare).

LeBron
Kobe
Durant
Wade
Dwight
Paul
Dirk/Melo/Bosh/Deron

[SeattleJazzFan]

IMO, a game changer doesn't have to be a superstar. I think it describes somebody who consistently comes in and simply makes plays...whether it's lockdown defense, steals, blocks, somebody who gets to the rim and sets up teammates or gets to the FT line...G Wallace, Manu, Kirilenko, Josh Smith, Varejao, Birdman, Ibaka, Rondo, Steph Curry, Tyreke...those are just a few who come to mind as guys who change the game by making plays and generally simply making a positive contribution to the game.

Of course, all of the superstars mentioned above are going to be game changers, but you don't have to be a superstar to be a game changer.

[TrueRain]

nvm

[JordansBulls]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

[Patterns]

Game changers don't have to be superstars or even stars.

For example, JR Smith is a game changer because he can literally drop 20 on you in 10 minutes. Jamal Crawford is a game changer. Jason Terry is a game changer. Manu is a game changer. Even Pargo was a game changer when he played with the Hornets.

[Optimism Prime]

A game changer is like a prolific thread starter, no matter how much you wish you can't stop them from taking over a game or creating another new thread.

Sorry JB, I kinda giggled at his post.

[360]

When I think of a game changer, I usually don't think of stars. Role players usually come to mind first.

It'll probably be easier to give specific examples instead of trying to give a precise definition. So for example, Zo was a game changer for the Heat, specifically in 05-06. He could make everyone on a team start settling for jumpshots because no one wanted to get their stuff rejected or they were intimidated or whatever. In game 6 of the finals, the Heat were getting ran out of the building and he checked into the game and the Heat instantly gained all of the momentum thanks to Zo. He made them better defensively and they were able to run more with him on the court because alot of times his blocks or changed shots would lead to fast break opportunities. He simply changed the game by making other teams adjust to his defensive presence in the paint.

Posey use to be a game changer. He always provided energy that inspired his teammates. Guys like him and Battier who can come into games and take charges, hustle, and get the crowd pumped obviously can change the complexion of a game. I don't see alot of it today, but there are some guys who do alot of the little things that may not always show up in the boxscore but may be the reason why their team got a few extra possessions while he was in the game or it's why his team seems to go on a run everytime he enters the game.