Is Jax our best player ever?

[Rich4114]

I was just thinking I'd throw this out there... and I realize it'd be a tough argument because of what Gerald Wallace has done for this franchise since inception... but talent wise, clutch wise, and overall leadership wise is Jax the best player we've ever had?

This may be too early, but we never had a guy who could hit the type of big shots we needed to win games before. Now, we do and it's Jax.

[fatlever]

jason hart begs to differ

he is probably our best all around player ever... but wallace will always be our MVP.

[Rich4114]

I'm waiting for Hamilton to appear with a BK and/or Okafor rant

[truthbtold21]

gforce will always be the best bobcat to me

[Dexmor]

Jack is the best yes.

[ohara]

Now that is a great question. Crash has elevated his game this year. Since he became a Bobcat, Jax is showing how he is a great player and apparently a good teammate. I dont think one can really go wrong on saying either one. They both have credentials. But since Crash has been here longer, he's gonna have the backing of the majority I would think. BUT, if they both are here 2 years from now, that will allow for Jax to have been here sufficiently long enough that I think he could sway some voters.

[doc.end]

No and I don't mean it as knock against him.

Putting aside that we have players on our roster that can (but maybe won't) flourish into very good players, maybe even more intriguing, in the future.

[thruthefire]

Not even the best player on this current team.

[ajbry]

What's the criteria? The best Bobcat ever, or the best player to ever wear a Bobcats uniform?

If it's the latter, then I really don't think this question needs to be asked - and that's not an indictment on Gerald, either.

I totally understand the allegiance of Bobcats fans to Gerald for all he's done for the franchise (and his effort level certainly yields a lot of deserved admiration), but if we're talking about the most talented, accomplished player... it's pretty easily Jack. It was mentioned quite a bit right after the trade that the Bobcats had brought in the best player in the franchise's history.

[dmutombo321]

I would say yes, unequivically.

And that's not a shot at Wallace who I consider to be the face of the Franchise. But what seperates tier 1 fringe star complementary players like Wallace from star players like Jackson is their ability to single handedly take over games offensively when the games are on the line and getting buckets at the end of the shot clock when the offense stalls in the forth quarter.

For everything Wallace is, he's just not the kind of player you can run the old Hornet's "Dallas" iso play for.

Just think about it this way. In the game last night at PHX, Wallace fouled out early in the forth. He was replaced by Derrick Brown, who is a far cry from Gerald but he at least duplicates, in a poor man's fashion, some of the things that Wallace brings to the table in terms of athleticism and defense.

In contrast, we have nobody who duplicates the go-to scoring that Jackson brings to the table.

Had Jackson been the one who fouled out early in the 4th instead of Gerald, we would have lost that game.

IMO, the definition of a star is the ability, when called upon in clutch situations, to consistantly succeed in creating something out of nothing in order to will your team to victory.

Players that fit this bill (aside from the obvious kobe's, lebrons, melo's, wades) are guys like joe johnson, brandon roy, durant.

Jackson is older than those guys but he has the same qualities.

The only reason I was opposed to the Jackson deal was due to his age (while still the best player we've ever had, he's past his prime and will be 35 by the time his deal is up) and the fact that while I knew it would make us better, it wouldnt improve us enough to go deep into the playoffs - which I think should be every teams ultimate goal.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Jay Rich! 22 and 5, 41% from 3, played all 82 games. He's the best Bobcat in history

[ajbry]

Jay Rich! 22 and 5, 41% from 3, played all 82 games. He's the best Bobcat in history

That's a joke, right?

[BigSlam]

Great post Rich.

He has the benefit of being in the NBA longer than the others and playing on championship teams - which helps his cause. He's probably the most rounded. He can equally be the most frustrating at times!!

I was thinking about a similar question today, which I will post in anther thread so I don't get yours off track.

[floppymoose]

The only reason I was opposed to the Jackson deal was due to his age (while still the best player we've ever had, he's past his prime and will be 35 by the time his deal is up) and the fact that while I knew it would make us better, it wouldnt improve us enough to go deep into the playoffs - which I think should be every teams ultimate goal.

Plus there is the serious risk that he implodes emotionally

[floppymoose]

Speaking of players who have been Bobcats, Sean May tore the Warriors a new one the other night. He joins a long list of supersized PFs who tear up the Warriors.... Gary Trent... Craig Smith... Corliss Williamson...

[BigSlam]

In contrast, we have nobody who duplicates the go-to scoring that Jackson brings to the table.

Flip.

[thruthefire]

Looking at PER:

Code: Select all

Player   05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10
Jackson  13.65 14.50 14.94 16.20 15.83
Wallace  21.32 19.83 17.66 18.64 18.63

I think it's pretty foolish to say Jax is our best player ever when you consider that. In any case, considering what type of numbers actual stars put up, referring to Jax as a "star," IMO, is completely out of line.

Actually, if you want the most statistically similar Bobcat to Jackson over the past five seasons now, it would be Felton.

[dmutombo321]

In contrast, we have nobody who duplicates the go-to scoring that Jackson brings to the table.

Flip.

T

There's an important distinction from simply being clutch and being a clutch go-to scorer.

Flip is as clutch as they come. And if an end game defensive switch results in him being open in the corner for 3, i want him taking the shot for the win.

But if its a situation where its the final shot on a broken play after an imbounds, I want the ball in Jackson's hands.

In the phx game, flip had a clutch three down the stretch when his defender slacked off of him.

But Jackson's clutch three at the end of regulation to send the game into OT was even more impressive IMO as he had 6'10 amendson right in his grill, who he had to shake and bake free from before shooting over his outstretched hands.

I dont think there is anybody else on the roster who would have been capable of creating that shot under the same circumstances. Consequently, the game would have ended right there in regulation.
Thats the difference a player like Jackson makes.

[fatlever]

not in terms of how they played as a bobcat, but i figure steve smith would have to get some consideration if we are talking about the best player to ever play for us.

[W_HAMILTON]

jason hart begs to differ

Jason Hart was a helluva buzzer-beater that first season.

And, no, I don't think Jackson is our best player ever. If his scoring was more efficient and consistent, maybe.

I can see an argument for most well-rounded, but not the best.