Barkley, Giannis, Karl Malone, KG, Dirk who's highest on your all time list?

[dhsilv2]

Hard to rank Giannis cuz he still has an active career

But I would go

Chuck
Malone
Dirk
Gianni’s
KG

So I'm not looking to argue on this one, but this list order is interesting. What are your key points of emphasis for this one? I notice for example you have the two best defenders at the end. Chuck's longevity is soft vs Malone and Dirk and KG. So that's not the driver. Just wondering how you rank.

[DimesandKnicks]

I mean this is 5 guys, all big guys, who were on the play comp board's top 25 all time. I mean we can rank these guys and I might agree that Dirk comes in last among these 5. But...they're all clear elite rebounders. Which was really my point in that Dirk wasn't great at just one thing.

If you want to say Dirk isn't in the conversation for GOAT defensive rebounder, agree.

Him being an elite defensive rebounder isn't a differentiating aspect of his game when the other players that many poster here claim he is better then are better defensive and offensive rebounders.

If that was your context then I'll grant you that one.

But I'd point out again his insane economy of time with the ball and just down right insanely low turnovers. Dirk wasn't just the best offensive player here by a small amount. And I'm even with you I think in that I have dirk near the bottom of this list. But he's by far the best offensive player here and it goes beyond just shooting ability but in how he could make those fast decisions.

I thought you were getting at he wasn't elite or special among nba players in general outside of his scoring. So I took you the wrong way by including his rebounding, which is still elite.

That said...I think Dirk's a better defender than Chuck. Not that either were especially good or that the gap between them would move the needle.

I disagree. He might be the best score but offense is more than scoring. As an overall offensive player, KG is a better screener, offensive rebounder and passer while not being that far behind as a scorer while aslo being his teams defense

[dhsilv2]

Him being an elite defensive rebounder isn't a differentiating aspect of his game when the other players that many poster here claim he is better then are better defensive and offensive rebounders.

If that was your context then I'll grant you that one.

But I'd point out again his insane economy of time with the ball and just down right insanely low turnovers. Dirk wasn't just the best offensive player here by a small amount. And I'm even with you I think in that I have dirk near the bottom of this list. But he's by far the best offensive player here and it goes beyond just shooting ability but in how he could make those fast decisions.

I thought you were getting at he wasn't elite or special among nba players in general outside of his scoring. So I took you the wrong way by including his rebounding, which is still elite.

That said...I think Dirk's a better defender than Chuck. Not that either were especially good or that the gap between them would move the needle.

I disagree. He might be the best score but offense is more than scoring. As an overall offensive player, KG is a better screener, offensive rebounder and passer while not being that far behind as a scorer while aslo being his teams defense

Basketball isn't a check list. All that stuff I covered about not turning it over and how fast he gets rid of the ball made Dirk an exceptional offensive player. Dirk's gravity combined with that was the tipping point.

KG"s the clear best player here. But Dirk's the clear better offensive guy. There's a reason he kept leading elite offenses.

[NZB2323]

Best actual rebounders too, is there a adjective you use that’s greater than elite?

If you want to say that Dirk is not an elite rebounder, then we can also say that Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett are not elite scorers.

Works for me

If you want to go that route, then was Karl Malone elite at anything? Never led the league in rebounding, never led the league in scoring, never won DPOTY, wasn’t efficient in the playoffs, had almost any many turnovers as assists, and is 49th all time in rebounds per game.

[jazzfan1971]

Highest peak = Dirk
Best Career = Malone
Incomplete grade for Giannis

[2LeTTeRS]

I just don't see it with Malone. When comparing to this group the only standout attributes he has are durability and toughness. The man was strong as an oxygen and wasn't afraid to throw his massive elbows.

He scored a lot of points but many were on looks created by the NBA's preeminent setup man in the halfcourt. He was a very solid defender but not a rim protector or big shot blocker. Additionally, he was inconsistent in the biggest moments and only saw true success when all the other greats of his era bowed out due to age.

He's easily number 5 on this list for me, but I'll admit to placing a greater emphasis on peak play than longevity.

[JayMKE]

Nostalgia and modern hate really clouding judgements, Giannis peaked higher than any of these guys and is a genuinely dominant two way player who isn't a career loser who had to chase rings on other teams. Playing 20 years is great but Giannis resume is going to get better, none of these guys accomplished anything close to what Giannis has done at his age already.

[DimesandKnicks]

If you want to say that Dirk is not an elite rebounder, then we can also say that Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett are not elite scorers.

Works for me

If you want to go that route, then was Karl Malone elite at anything? Never led the league in rebounding, never led the league in scoring, never won DPOTY, wasn’t efficient in the playoffs, had almost any many turnovers as assists, and is 49th all time in rebounds per game.

I don’t think I’ve ever watched Malone play a single game of basketball in his prime so I honestly couldn’t tell you

[DimesandKnicks]

If that was your context then I'll grant you that one.

But I'd point out again his insane economy of time with the ball and just down right insanely low turnovers. Dirk wasn't just the best offensive player here by a small amount. And I'm even with you I think in that I have dirk near the bottom of this list. But he's by far the best offensive player here and it goes beyond just shooting ability but in how he could make those fast decisions.

I thought you were getting at he wasn't elite or special among nba players in general outside of his scoring. So I took you the wrong way by including his rebounding, which is still elite.

That said...I think Dirk's a better defender than Chuck. Not that either were especially good or that the gap between them would move the needle.

I disagree. He might be the best score but offense is more than scoring. As an overall offensive player, KG is a better screener, offensive rebounder and passer while not being that far behind as a scorer while aslo being his teams defense

Basketball isn't a check list. All that stuff I covered about not turning it over and how fast he gets rid of the ball made Dirk an exceptional offensive player. Dirk's gravity combined with that was the tipping point.

KG"s the clear best player here. But Dirk's the clear better offensive guy. There's a reason he kept leading elite offenses.

Just as I covered the various things Garnett is better at offensively than Dirk. And he also led multiple top 5 offenses with a relatively inferior cast

[Statlanta]

Nowitzki
Garnett
Malone
Antetokunmpo
Barkley

[One_and_Done]

I'd have KG in the top 10 all-time, Giannis and Dirk just outside the top 10, and Malone in the 13-15 range. Barkley is more in the 20-25 range with guys like Kobe and Pippen.

[Effigy]

My god KG is wildly overrated. I think its between him and AI on this forum.

He for sure is, but lumping him with all these players seems perfectly fine. I have Dirk first but no idea who I have second.

[DreamTeam09]

Only one person has multiple final appearances and a FMVP

[Black Jack]

These guys are all in the same tier to me, not much separation. I could see a solid argument for any of them at the top of this list or at the bottom.

I don't really hold Barkley and Malone not winning a title against them, they ran up against the GOAT. Any other era they probably both have one ring.

KG and Malone are the two who can't really be a #1 scorer and finisher on a title winner so maybe that's a slight ding, but otoh Dirk and Barkley aren't top notch defenders.

It's basically a wash and I'd add McHale as the other power forward who comes to mind as belonging on this list.

[Black Jack]

Nostalgia and modern hate really clouding judgements, Giannis peaked higher than any of these guys and is a genuinely dominant two way player who isn't a career loser who had to chase rings on other teams. Playing 20 years is great but Giannis resume is going to get better, none of these guys accomplished anything close to what Giannis has done at his age already.

Giannis is dependent on being allowed to commit blatant offensive fouls. He lacks the #1 scorer offensive toolkit of Dirk or Barkley. Not as good a defender as KG. Not as good longevity as Malone.

I can see the argument for him but he's not way higher on ATG lists than any of these guys. Maybe with another ring or two.

To me Giannis is in the category of guys like Shaq who had an overwhelming physical advantage and when it starts going away they don't look as great.

[krystophh]

TIM DUNCAN!!!!

[RoteSchroder]

My god KG is wildly overrated. I think its between him and AI on this forum.

He for sure is, but lumping him with all these players seems perfectly fine. I have Dirk first but no idea who I have second.

Dirk is an elite offensive scorer and fairly average or even subpar everywhere else, including passing/playmaking. KG is an elite defensive anchor and a #2 on offense.

You can pair KG with any competent teammates and his team will deliver. Cassell and Sprewell weren't even close to years of Finley/Nash, but they pretty much immediately delivered, reaching the WCF's until Cassell got injured. Then Sprewell had trouble feeding his family.

KG's next chance came in Boston and they also delivered immediately, with the following 2 years enduring a KG injury and Perkins being injured in the finals after being up 3-2.

Meanwhile, Dirk had Finley and Nash, to which KG would have easily gotten multiple rings with. Then Dirk enjoyed years of being the highest payroll team in the league.

[canada_dry]

Ive debated dirk over kg on this forum many a times.

I rank malone above em both all time. Idk if hes BETTER....but he is greater all time.

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[Packbuckman]

Nostalgia and modern hate really clouding judgements, Giannis peaked higher than any of these guys and is a genuinely dominant two way player who isn't a career loser who had to chase rings on other teams. Playing 20 years is great but Giannis resume is going to get better, none of these guys accomplished anything close to what Giannis has done at his age already.

Giannis is dependent on being allowed to commit blatant offensive fouls. He lacks the #1 scorer offensive toolkit of Dirk or Barkley. Not as good a defender as KG. Not as good longevity as Malone.

I can see the argument for him but he's not way higher on ATG lists than any of these guys. Maybe with another ring or two.

To me Giannis is in the category of guys like Shaq who had an overwhelming physical advantage and when it starts going away they don't look as great.

You must not have watched when Malone or Barkley played they both used their physical abilities to over power players that Giannis does and those plays where he barrels in are becoming less and less as he ages but still dominate with his skill set. Giannis will age just fine Shaq got out of shape that’s not Giannis he don’t even need another ring to pass all of them just keep doing what he’s doing for a few more years.

[canada_dry]

Giannis has a great chance to top this list by the end of his career.

2 mvps 1 fmvp and a dpoy already is already unique amongst them.

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