favorite vs best: top 10 players single year peaks

[falcolombardi]

the usual top 10 picks generally are

jordan
lebron
kareem
russel
duncan
wilt
shaq
magic
bird
hakeem
kobe* (often considered in the top 10 so i will include him)

which years are your favorite seasons vs which are their best season in your opinion and why?

example someone can think jordan best year is 1991 but his favorite version to watch was 98 jordan for the craftier game

[70sFan]

Jordan

Best: 1991
Favorite: 1993 - the best combination of GOAT-level athelticism and skill-reliant game. Younger Jordan was much more into simply overpowering and blowing defenders by, while older lost some level of excitement he always gave us on the court.

LeBron

Best: 2012
Favorite: 2014 - I prefer watching LeBron in more off-ball oriented role and this version was possibly the best shooting verison of James ever. He still had that massive frame that could overpower anyone but used more skills in his repertoire.

Kareem

Best: 1977
Favorite: 1972 - Kareem's combo of athleticism and scoring skillset was absolutely insane that season. You won't find anyone like this before or since. He was very active on both sides of the court and he was less relaint on skyhook, trying to play more physical. Arguably my favorite individual season ever to watch and I wish we had more performances available from that season.

Russell

Best: 1962
Favorite: I don't think there are enough footage to say it clearly, but I like watching 1966 Russell games, he had enough scoring repertoire left while still being in his physical prime and possibly at his peak in terms of reading games. I prefer watching pre-67 Russell because he was much more active on offensive end, older Russell was quite mediocre on that end.

Duncan

Best: 2003
Favorite: either 2002 or 2003, I like watching my favorite player at his best That said, I have a soft spot for 2007 and 2013 versions.

Wilt

Best: 1967
Favorite: again, tough to say with footage available. I like watching 1965 version because of how he adjusted his game to widened lane. He was still absurdly athletic by then, while having complete skillset and passing skills. I think 1966 would be my favorite verison of Wilt to watch, but we have very little footage from that season.

Shaq

Best: 2000
Favorite: 1998 - not a big fan of Shaq, but I like him in a sweet spot between young crazy athleticism and savvyness of older version.

Magic

Best: 1987
Favorite: 1990 - probably my ultimate offensive player to watch, he had no weaknesses with developed three point shot and I love how he became more post oriented after Jabbar retirement. Weak defense, but who cares - it's the best offensive player ever in my opinion.

Bird

Best: 1986
Favorite: 1988 - I don't know why, I like short haired Larry and he developed all of his skills by then.

Hakeem

Best: 1993
Favorite: 1990 - Hakeem's defense and motor was absurd that year, possibly the most athletic defender ever. He had holes in his offensive game, but who cares? 1990 Hakeem could bang inside with giants and in next posssession he could shut down Micheal Jordan in isolation.

Kobe

Best: 2008
Favorite: 2008 - I like older, more controlled version of Kobe over young and exciting Bryant from the early 2000s. His off-ball game was so good to watcg during that time.

[70sFan]

I love this idea by the way, would you mind me doing more players?

[JordansBulls]

the usual top 10 picks generally are

jordan
lebron
kareem
russel
duncan
wilt
shaq
magic
bird
hakeem
kobe* (often considered in the top 10 so i will include him)

which years are your favorite seasons vs which are their best season in your opinion and why?

example someone can think jordan best year is 1991 but his favorite version to watch was 98 jordan for the craftier game

Since on phone I don’t want to spend a lot of time.

For MJ best was 1991 but my favorite was 1998 followed by 1993.

Magic best was 1987 but my favorite for him was actually 1991.

Bird’s best was 1986 but favorite was 1988

I will throw another guy on list:
Tmac best was 2003 but favorite was 2005

[SeattleJazzFan]

my favorite lebron was second stint cavs lebron. best lebron was probably 08-09 or 12-13. but man, second stint cavs lebron, especially in the playoffs was dynamite. such treasure to watch.

for mj, best was probably late 80s - just so dominant and when i realized he either was or would be the GOAT. he was simply the best basketball player i had ever seen. but the second three-peat was my favorite mj despite the fact my jazz were his victim - his play was a work of art.

in fact, second three peat mj and second stint with the cavs lebron were very reminiscent. neither was at their athletic peak of the peak of their overall dominance, but they had figured out the game completely (still had a ton of athleticism) and were just beautiful to watch.

[falcolombardi]

I love this idea by the way, would you mind me doing more players?

not at all

[sp6r=underrated]

Ja Morant will dominate this thread in ten years. He's insanely fun to watch this year but makes so many mistakes. He'll eliminate them in the future but I can't imagine he'll up his current entertainment level.

[ronnymac2]

MJ
Best: 1990-1991
Favorite: 1998 - I started really like basketball. Nowadays I still watch highlights, and this version of MJ was just smooth, coolest dude in the room, and skilled.

LBJ

Best: 2013
Favorite: 2012 - Best defense, most consistent motor, savage offensive rebounding in the playoffs.

Kareem

Best: 1980
Favorite: 1985 - FMVP 14 years after his first one. Definition of high-level longevity.

Russell

Best: 1964
Favorite: 1969 - Old warrior still destroying his three greatest Finals foes. Player-Coach. Bad dude.

Duncan

Best: 2002-2003
Favorite: 1999 - Quickness, running the floor, shot-blocking. Just a fantastic, mild-mannered beast.

Wilt

Best: 1967
Favorite: 1972 - Closest to what Wilt should have been, with truly all-time amazing results. Monster post defender and rebounder, hyper-efficient on low-volume with good passing.

Shaq

Best: 2000
Favorite: 2001 - Turned on 2000 levels in the playoffs but with more experience. Baddest dude to ever step on an NBA court.

Magic

Best: 1987
Favorite: 1982 - 1982 Lakers are super underrated. Magic's role in the trap defense was huge, and he was an athletic young buck.

Bird

Best: 1986
Favorite: 1986 Bird at the peak of his powers was unreal

Hakeem

Best: 1993-1994
Favorite: 1995 - Obliterating his rivals. Best offensive version of Olajuwon who could still be a DPOY any year in NBA history.

Kobe

Best: 2006
Favorite: 2002 - Played the game with such intensity and youthful exuberance. Great bounce. My dude was an electric athlete in his younger years.

[Lou Fan]

Curry and KG easy top 10 peaks imo.

[falcolombardi]

Curry and KG easy top 10 peaks imo.

over who?

[prolific passer]

Jordan:
Best: 1988. Hard to argue with all the accolades he got that year.
Favorite: tie between 87 and 92.

Lebron:
Best: 2013
Favorite: 2005. Just was always impressed by his sophomore season.

Wilt
Best: 1967
Favorite: 1971. His last 20ppg season.

Kareem
Best: 1971
Favorite: 1979

Duncan
Best: 2003
Favorite: 2001. Redeemed himself after missing the 2000 playoffs.

Magic:
Best: 1987
Favorite: 1991.

Bird
Best: 1985.
Favorite: 1990. Last healthy season of his career and what a season it was.

Russell
Best: 1962
Favorite: 1958

Hakeem
Best: 1993 or 94
Favorite: tie between 87 and 97

Kobe
Best: 2008
Favorite: 2001. Put on some muscle and to me he was the closest player to Jordan that ive ever seen during that year alone.

[Lou Fan]

Curry and KG easy top 10 peaks imo.

over who?

Kobe and Wilt would probably be the first two to go but I honestly think Curry and KG have a better case for top 5 than outside of top 10.