Isiah Thomas vs Dwyane Wade - Higher on the all time list?

[og15]

There's some sort of idea that Isaiah was some great scorer or that he was the clear cut best player and the one carrying the Pistons. Isaiah was definitely the leader on the Pistons and the most outspoken guy, but this idea that he was carrying these guys just has no basis. People just like stories so much more than they like the reality of what is actually happening,

[AshyLarry]

i dont think its a competition anymore, dwade wins this

[toodles23]

Wade's peak is so far beyond Isiah's that this isn't even a discussion to me. Wade's '06, '09, '10, and '11 seasons are well beyond anything Isiah was capable of.

People just like stories so much more than they like the reality of what is actually happening,

Yep.

[Woodsanity]

There's some sort of idea that Isaiah was some great scorer or that he was the clear cut best player and the one carrying the Pistons. Isaiah was definitely the leader on the Pistons and the most outspoken guy, but this idea that he was carrying these guys just has no basis. People just like stories so much more than they like the reality of what is actually happening,

This. People need to base stuff on actual facts and stats instead of nostalgia.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Like I said, Wade would definitely still be a solid player, but consistently having to face tougher defenses would eventually get to him mentally. Not to mention being defended by better defenders and handchecked. He did pretty good for a rookie against the Pacers, but if it wasn't for those 2 games where he lived at the charity stripe, you would have thought he played like a rookie suppose to against such a defense. I think some forget Butler and Odom were good offensive players as well, that took defensive pressure off of Wade.

but consistently having to face tougher defenses would eventually get to him mentally.

And you know this how? Let's go by what we have and see that when healthy Wade has basically dismantled ELITE defenses his whole career outside of Chicago 2011. He did REALLY good for a rookie, 21pts 6apg on 47% shooting against a the a top 3 defensive team that was in the upper echelon of defenses for that DECADE ( a prime Ron Artest and Jermaine O'neal). If Wade could produce those numbers against one of the best defenses in the decade in his first season in a league that was still in the hand check era then that leads me to believe that even in his prime he'd still be a similar that he is today. And rightfully so, Wade is one of the best ball handlers at his position as well as one the strongest and athletic where he can still finish and maneuver his way through contact.


taking two games and saying "well if you take away these two games he has pedestrian numbers" is asinine, give credit where credit is due and stop hating. Which elite title contending team(which Heat weren't one at the time by the way) didn't have two other decent offensive options who could "take some pressure off of". Thats like saying well Magic/Bird had great offensive options as well that had pressure taken off them so let's discredit what they did.

Let's just agree that we don't know what Wade would have done then, because that is a very small sample size given against the Pacers. I could easily point out how bad he was against the Hornets, and no, I'm not trying to discredit Wade by any means. I even said he had a good series against the pacers. Just because I add in that he had some pressure relieved by others doesn't mean I'm discrediting him. By your logic, we might as well say Wade was guarded by Artest most of the game, blew by him, and finished over Jermaine O'neal because he obviously drew all the attention.

[Geaux_Hawks]

consistently having to face tougher defenses would eventually get to him mentally. Not to mention being defended by better defenders and handchecked. He did pretty good for a rookie against the Pacers, but if it wasn't for those 2 games where he lived at the charity stripe, you would have thought he played like a rookie suppose to against such a defense. I think some forget Butler and Odom were good offensive players as well, that took defensive pressure off of Wade.

I don't recall many great wing defenders in the 90s as there are today. 90s was known for having centers, but didn't have that many great wing defenders like in todays era. Wade would had flourished in that era. People always mention hand checking , like they still don't do handchecking in todays game. When was the last someone got called for a foul for handchecking. The 90s era called illegal defenses which made it easier for Jordan to score, without anyone able to play zone on Jordan's side, where he was able to have much more room to operate. I think Wade would be even better in the 90s without many great wing players and the rules they went by.

Rodman, Pippen, Moncrief, Dumars, Ron Harper, Starks, Payton, Alvin Robertson, Cooper, and Jordan would have easily kept Wade in check. Some of those guys won DPOY over all time great centers.

[Brenice]

Zeke in fact was the best player on those Pistons teams. The team took on Zeke's mentality. Now, you do know the reason why the Pistons didn't 3peat don't you? Put it this way, the Pistons were up 3-2 against the Lakers in the Pistons first final appearance, and then Zeke sprained his ankle. The Pistons didn't win another game in the 99 Finals AFTER Zeke sprained his ankle. The better team was the Pistons. Yes, the Lakers had injuries the next championship series, but the best team had already been established before Zeke got hurt the previous year. (IMO).

I'm taking Zeke. Wade is fragile in today's game. He would be HURT during Zeke's era, a more aggressive era.

[BmanInBigD]

This is Wade and it's not that close. Thomas was a great emotional/spiritual leader of the Pistons but his actual impact on the game from an objective standpoint was way below Wade's. The difference in all the advanced numbers is too great to make up for with what Thomas brings. And I'm not some young "current player" fanboy. Been watching the NBA for forty years.

[FlashKing]

I'm pleasantly surprised how much Wade is dominating this poll. I thought for sure Isiah would win this debate.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Too many people voting that didn't see Isiah play in his prime.

[Kobe 62 Mavs 61]

What wiould that change? Most people that saw Isiah play then would still say Wade, so I don't get it. Like saying "too many people voting that don't have blonde hair". It doesn't really make a difference.

[FlashKing]

Too many people voting that didn't see Isiah play in his prime.

Youtube will help with that problem.

[ahonui06]

Wade is a better player, but Isiah is a better leader.

[Brenice]

Too many people voting that didn't see Isiah play in his prime.

I thought Zeke played in only 2 seasons, when the Bad Boys won it all.

Who did Wade's teams beat? Hint, not LeBron's teams, Wades teams?

[sportjames23]

Wade

Wade would be Jordan's toughest competition in the 90s

How so? He's really not that great of a shooter. There were better rim protectors and perimeter defenders in the 90s. Plus, teams could pack the paint and hand check. Defenders now a days have to work extra hard to stop opposing offenders. Wade would no doubt be a great player, but there won't be many Dallas Maverick teams to shred for 30+ points.

Thank you.