What makes a player elite?

[koogiking]

What makes a player a superstar, or an elite player in your opinion?

[XSnipes]

Being better then average..

[AdamTheGreek]

1. Stats
2. History of stepping up in big games
3. Public perception

[bullsnewdynasty]

All around player, very good on both sides of the ball, ability to take over a game.

[tsherkin]

The first and most obvious part is that they have to separate themselves from the rest of the league in some way, or most of the rest anyhow. Usually, this is done through high-level scoring (high volume, strong efficiency) but it can be really any major development. Elite playmaking, dominant defense and rebounding... More value attached to a broader palette of developed skills.

Take a guy like Jason Kidd.

In his prime, he blew chunks at scoring (still does) but he was a remarkable rebounder, a great defender and an excellent playmaker. That made him an elite player, since he was able to do quite a lot with his teams.

Or take Steve Nash.

One of the best shooters and playmakers in league history. Unremarkable, mediocre defender but he's one of the best offensive players we've seen, even into his mid/late 30s.

Those guys have been some of the best in the league on the basis of what they can do for their team.

An elite player in the NBA usually has to be a starter, usually has to play over 30 mpg and usually has to dominate in at least one category (the more the merrier, though, and the level of dominance required declines a little bit with each new area where the level of contribution is very high).

I don't think there's any fixed threshold to discuss, though, it's a matter of observation in tandem with production and impact.

[koogiking]

The first and most obvious part is that they have to separate themselves from the rest of the league in some way, or most of the rest anyhow. Usually, this is done through high-level scoring (high volume, strong efficiency) but it can be really any major development. Elite playmaking, dominant defense and rebounding... More value attached to a broader palette of developed skills.

Take a guy like Jason Kidd.

In his prime, he blew chunks at scoring (still does) but he was a remarkable rebounder, a great defender and an excellent playmaker. That made him an elite player, since he was able to do quite a lot with his teams.

Or take Steve Nash.

One of the best shooters and playmakers in league history. Unremarkable, mediocre defender but he's one of the best offensive players we've seen, even into his mid/late 30s.

Those guys have been some of the best in the league on the basis of what they can do for their team.

An elite player in the NBA usually has to be a starter, usually has to play over 30 mpg and usually has to dominate in at least one category (the more the merrier, though, and the level of dominance required declines a little bit with each new area where the level of contribution is very high).

I don't think there's any fixed threshold to discuss, though, it's a matter of observation in tandem with production and impact.

So would Kevin Love qualify as a superstar?

[XSnipes]

Tough for me to call Love a superstar. He's team did terrible and he basically only took all the rebounds for himself to get stats...

[Ruhiel]

ability to defend position, cover space on defense/affect other positions
ability to go from defense to offense
ability to get to the free throw line on command

ability to create shot/FTA consistently ie post up/pick and rolls

elite teammates (see Jordan (38ppg) never winning until Scottie Pippen developed)

[blueNorange]

+

[canefandynasty]

All around player, very good on both sides of the ball, ability to take over a game.

Great playoff runs.

[canefandynasty]

TO BE TOP TIER:

- two-way player
- great PER
- great playoff runs [championship(s) would be preferable]

Simple as A B C.

[Big Shamrock]

Being better then average..

There's plenty of players who are above-average yet not "elite"

[tsherkin]

I don't think there's any fixed threshold to discuss, though, it's a matter of observation in tandem with production and impact.

So would Kevin Love qualify as a superstar?

No, because of the portion I bolded. Clearly, the level of impact that he has isn't commensurate with what the truly elite players do.

He's a phenomenal rebounder, a good passer, an excellent shooter. But his scoring isn't dominant, he's a mediocre defender, and his team won 17 games. That doesn't really fly with "observation in tandem with production and IMPACT," the last word being the key.

He's a very good player, saddled with a remarkably poor supporting cast, a terrible coach and weak management, so there was only ever going to be a limited ability to impact that team in the first place... but he's not doing it in the ways they need. That team was abysmal at both ends of the floor and he wasn't commanding enough offensive possessions to really change that, and since they were one of the 4 worst defenses in basketball, little else need be said regarding his impact. Now, JUST looking at it that way overstates his defensive inadequacy. All it really tells us is that he doesn't have the ability of someone like Dwight Howard in that he cannot overcome piss-poor teammates (and in Love's case, bad coaching as well) to bolster a defense.

But it does tell us that he lacks the ability to really put his imprint on a team just yet.

[twosauce]

being used in a commercial

[Walid]

Media hype.