Latrell Sprewell vs. Mitch Richmond

RJM · Post #1 » by **RJM** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:58 am

Who was the better player? Let me conjure up some stats.

Latrell Sprewell's Best Season (1996-97) - 24.2 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.9 RPG, 44.9% FG
Mitch Richmond's Best Season (1996-97) - 25.9 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 45.4% FG

Now I'm sure you guys know that numbers aren't everything (with regards to like one point), so who was the better player?

Point forward · Post #2 » by **Point forward** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:29 pm

I would rather take Mitch. He was a part of Run TMC and the face of Sacramento Kings, and unlike Spree isn't a choker (sorry, had to say that). Spree was better on D, but I read how good Mitch's O kept Jordan himself in check. OK, Mitch jumped ship to swipe an easy ring, but after seeing guys like Finley or Zo do it, I don't care so much.

Post #3 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:43 pm

Point forward wrote: OK, Mitch jumped ship to swipe an easy ring, but after seeing guys like Finley or Zo do it, I don't care so much.

No he didn't; he was traded to Washington, who had no real title aspirations. He signed on with the Lakers for their 01-02 run, which wasn't "jumping ship."

Baller 24 · Post #4 » by **Baller 24** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:54 pm

Mitch, the guy is more respected as an overall player, he had amazing scoring skills. Spree often had attitude problems, which really hurts his overall image as a player.

Post #5 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:09 pm

Plus, you know, Richmond was a GOOD scorer, noticeably more efficient than Spree. Sprewell's career TS% is under league average and Mitch's is nearly 56%.

There's a reason Mitch's career scoring average is 3 points higher than Sprewell's.

Richmond was a better scorer, a better shooter and a better teammate. Spree was just... blech.

Post #6 » by **pillwenney** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:22 pm

tsherkin wrote:Plus, you know, Richmond was a GOOD scorer, noticeably more efficient than Spree. Sprewell's career TS% is under league average and Mitch's is nearly 56%.

There's a reason Mitch's career scoring average is 3 points higher than Sprewell's.

Richmond was a better scorer, a better shooter and a better teammate. Spree was just... blech.

Which is especially amazing when one considers that Mitch played on crap teams for most of his career where he was pretty much his team's offense (outside of a couple of guys like Tisdale, Walt Williams and a young Corliss).

Post #7 » by **Turisas** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:54 pm

I'll take the Rock in a heartbeat. Spree was an explosive player in the open court but at the end of the day he was just too inconsistent for my liking.