Colbinii wrote:trex_8063 wrote:Yeah, based on sentiment their names sort of bring to mind, one wouldn't think this is a question. And I admit I perhaps hadn't paid enough attention to just how good Brunson has been this year. And Curry, while very good, isn't lighting the world on fire anymore (no harsh criticism in that: he's 35 after all).
I actually do think it's Brunson. Good on him.
I remember his dad, mostly from his days in Chicago (which is kinda weird, since he played <600 minutes TOTAL in a Bulls uniform, but that was the team I followed super-close at the time). Of course Rick Brunson was basically a scrub: only played a little over 4500 minutes in his entire career (barely scrapped out a career at all).
It got me wondering if there has ever been a father/son duo of NBA players with such a massive gap between how good they were. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head (though maybe LeBron and Bronny will end up with a bigger one???).
Luke Walton and Bill Walton.
One is a Top 15 Peak ever, one started < 1/4 of his NBA Career and averaged 17 MPG.
Rick Barry and Jon/Drew Barry (I love me some Brent Barry though)
Kevin Love and Stan Love
I would say no on the Barry's. Brent Barry was pretty good in his prime: solid starter-level player for at least a handful of years, arguably peaked at a lower-tier All-Star level (like around '02). Ultimately managed a 14-year career, playing more career minutes than a few players we've inducted in the top 100 project.
That's massively superior to Rick Brunson, and I don't think Rick Barry was THAT much better than Jalen Brunson, personally.
Even in a Rick/Jon comparison, I still might lean toward the gap being larger between the Brunson's.
The Love's I would give a maybe/probably. That is: almost assuredly a yes for CAREER, as Stan's was awfully short, and Kevin has been around and useful for forever now, has some jewelry, too.
For peak......idk, that's closer.
The Walton's.......yeah, for peak I would certainly agree. Although I suspect the gap in CAREER value will end up being larger with the Brunson's, as long as Jalen's career isn't totally derailed by a major injury.
Bill Walton's career was a flash, and also Luke wasn't as "scrubby" as Rick Brunson. He peaked as roughly a "league-average" player, but that's still notably better than Rick ever managed, and he played more than twice as many career minutes as Rick.
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"The fact that a proposition is absurd has never hindered those who wish to believe it." -Edward Rutherfurd
