50s: Pettit and Hagan
60s: Wilt and Wilkens
70s: Unseld and Gus Johnson
80s: Nique and Parish
90s: Kemp, Hakeem, Jordan
00s: Iverson
2010s: Lebron
Favorite player(s) from each decade.
Moderators: Clyde Frazier, Doctor MJ, trex_8063, penbeast0, PaulieWal
Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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prolific passer
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Favorite player(s) from each decade.
50s: Pettit and Hagan
60s: Wilt and Wilkens
70s: Unseld and Gus Johnson
80s: Nique and Parish
90s: Kemp, Hakeem, Jordan
00s: Iverson
2010s: Lebron
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Colbinii
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
1950s: Mikan
1960s: Russell, Wilt
1970s: Unseld, Walton, Havlicek, Bobby Jones, Hawkins, Frazier, Barry
1980s: Bird
1990s: Eddie Jones, Kevin Garnett, Horace Grant, Gary Payton, Dikembe Mutombo
2000s: Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Shane Battier, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Wally Szczerbiak, Fred Hoiberg, Jason Kidd
2010s: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Draymond Green, James Harden, Ricky Rubio
2020s: Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Giannis Antetpkounmpo
1960s: Russell, Wilt
1970s: Unseld, Walton, Havlicek, Bobby Jones, Hawkins, Frazier, Barry
1980s: Bird
1990s: Eddie Jones, Kevin Garnett, Horace Grant, Gary Payton, Dikembe Mutombo
2000s: Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Shane Battier, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Wally Szczerbiak, Fred Hoiberg, Jason Kidd
2010s: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Draymond Green, James Harden, Ricky Rubio
2020s: Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Giannis Antetpkounmpo
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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ardee
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
1950s: I won't pretend to have actually watched much footage from this era.
1960s: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West
1970s: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Bob McAdoo, Pete Maravich
1980s: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Cooper, James Worthy
1990s: Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson
2000s: Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash
2010s: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic
1960s: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West
1970s: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Bob McAdoo, Pete Maravich
1980s: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Cooper, James Worthy
1990s: Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson
2000s: Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash
2010s: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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jalengreen
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
50s: cousy? idk
60s: oscar
70s: alvan adams
80s: george gervin
90s: mark price
00s: lebron (yao too)
10s: dame, cp3
20s: jalen green
60s: oscar
70s: alvan adams
80s: george gervin
90s: mark price
00s: lebron (yao too)
10s: dame, cp3
20s: jalen green
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Doctor MJ
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
Okay, a little tricky because we're going into the deep past before our time, which means I think you've really just got to assign a guy to a decade rather than going by who you were enjoying at the time, but I dig it because I really like learning about the past.
Also, feel a need to say that with the more modern guys, a lot of my affinity toward them came after I came to appreciate how effective what they were doing was.
Going to start with the '20s because to be honest it's hard to even have a handle on what basketball looked like when it was played in the Cage, and so there's not a lot to grab on to with the players.
1920s - Dutch Dehnert (Original Celtics)
The originator of the Pivot as we know it which proceeded to catch on like wildfire. The player today who plays most like Dehnert is Nikola Jokic, though Dutch stood a mere 6'1".
Also, note the man's body. Dutch was a man who came of age in Cage basketball where the reason you passed so quickly was because if you didn't, you'd literally get manhandled and end up with marks all over your body from the net ("Cage") that surrounded the court. He was an excellent passer, and also someone with a body to withstand assault.
1930s - Hank Luisetti (Stanford)
Often called the first modern basketball player, and I actually think there's more truth of this in the 21st century than their was in late 20th. Luisetti is the one known for pioneering the one-handed shot. This was in an age where people practiced a slow, 2-handed set shot release, and Luisetti came in with a 1-handed release he could get off rapidly. An interesting wrinkle to this is that he tended to jump while he shot (and he was often running as he shot it) which later commentators have emphasized is "not like the jump-reach apex-then shoot jump shot today"...but now that we're in the age of Curry, I think we've actually gone back to something pretty close to Luisetti's approach. Curry and others surely have vastly more refined shooting accuracy based on subtle improvements that have come since...but this was the moment where the seed took hold:
December 30th, 1936, Madison Square Garden - when the mecca of (college) basketball got to see Luisetti come from the West Coast, and crush the best the East Coast had to offer.
ftr, Luisetti definitely seems like he might be described as one of the first heliocentric players, so I wouldn't say he played like Curry has come to play. I kinda wanna say that Kyrie Irving might be a closer comparison as Luisetti was known for his ball-handling wizardry and extremely aesthetic game, though it'd obviously still seem quite stilted to us playing at a time where ball weren't standardized, floors weren't standardized, and carrying the ball was for football.
1940s - Goose Tatum (Harlem Globetrotters)
Known primarily as the original clown of the Globetrotters - whose comedic capabilities, the team would reshape themselves around as they stopped being able to keep the best Black basketball players to themselves. But in Tatum's day, the Globetrotters were still an exceptional basketball team, known for beating George Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers in each of the team's first two meetings...which only began after the Lakers were already the champions of whatever league they were in.
The thing that fascinates me about Tatum is that he's the reason why the Pivot play that Dehnert originated in the '20s lived on in a very different form with the Globetrotters than it did in the NBA. Originally, the Pivot played in the high post with the intent to dish the ball to a cutting teammate at their preferred place of shotmaking, but once Mikan came around in the NBA, the pivot really focused first and foremost on grinding toward the rim himself to score.
On the Trotters on the other hand, the Pivot was your Head Clown. He was the one deciding what came next, and when to run which "reel" (plays designed for humor rather than basketball value)...and if you'll note the size of his hands, giant hands really help with the capacity for tricking your opponent. In the image above, Tatum can pass the ball, hand it off, or literally yank it back at any time...all the while having an incredibly tight grip on the ball.
I see the true weaponization of gigantic hands in basketball to be a lost art at this point. Players should be being scouted for their hand size, and those who can easily palm the ball, need to be shown how useful that can be.
1950s - Bill Russell (USF, Boston Celtics)
The most successful basketball player in men's basketball history, and arguably the most mentally ahead of his time (though fellow Californian Luisetti has strong claim himself). Of course "mentally ahead" doesn't necessarily paint the right picture. What he really was, was mentally different in ways that allowed him to become extremely innovative. His grasp of basketball space and whittling away opponent competitive advantage is downright out of Century 21.
1960s - Connie Hawkins (Pittsburgh Rens, Harlem Globetrotters, Pittsburgh Pipers, Phoenix Suns)
The apex of Big Hand basketball comes with the Hawk. People tend to call him a proto-Dr. J, but while he had that same high-flyin swooping tendency - based on hops, agility & big hands - after his years with the Globetrotters, he came out with a schoolyard-honed variant of the Big Hand Pivot model.
It's honestly probably Jokic again who plays most like Hawkins today, but the differences would be far greater than those between Dehnert & Jokic where much of the difference would simply stem from Jokic being better at the things Dehnert was so good at.
1970s - Bill Walton (UCLA Bruins, Portland Trail Blazers)
Walton continues this trend of me being obsessed with passing pivots...though of course the reality is that the obsession led to the historical research, so loving Walton's game and attitude came first.
1980s - Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)
Blasphemous of me to go Bird over Magic here - and not how I felt at the time - but I think Bird's approach is more unique. I think sadly that Bird might have been better had he emulated Magic more, but my god, watching Bird you just realize how fast some people brains operate. Highlight reels of Bird are forever breath taking.
1990s - Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
My god, the body control and the capacity he had for continuing to learn and master what his set his mind to. I think what we're essentially seeing with the internationalization of the game is a rising tide that could have easily not produced any champion superstars until the 2010s. The Dream was a marvel of an outlier.
2000s - Steve Nash (Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns)
Being so wrong about Nash is what ended up being the catalyst for me to shift from simply being a fan of the game, to being something more invested. And he was beautiful to watch out there. Off-the-charts level improvisation and decision making.
2010s - Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
A revolutionary player sustaining his revolution with a continued visibility rarely seen. The game is going to continue to evolve in the wake of what Curry has shown is possible.
Too early to speak to who will define the 2020s for me, but I will give a shout out to someone whose game makes me very happy...
Also, feel a need to say that with the more modern guys, a lot of my affinity toward them came after I came to appreciate how effective what they were doing was.
Going to start with the '20s because to be honest it's hard to even have a handle on what basketball looked like when it was played in the Cage, and so there's not a lot to grab on to with the players.
1920s - Dutch Dehnert (Original Celtics)
The originator of the Pivot as we know it which proceeded to catch on like wildfire. The player today who plays most like Dehnert is Nikola Jokic, though Dutch stood a mere 6'1".
Also, note the man's body. Dutch was a man who came of age in Cage basketball where the reason you passed so quickly was because if you didn't, you'd literally get manhandled and end up with marks all over your body from the net ("Cage") that surrounded the court. He was an excellent passer, and also someone with a body to withstand assault.
1930s - Hank Luisetti (Stanford)
Often called the first modern basketball player, and I actually think there's more truth of this in the 21st century than their was in late 20th. Luisetti is the one known for pioneering the one-handed shot. This was in an age where people practiced a slow, 2-handed set shot release, and Luisetti came in with a 1-handed release he could get off rapidly. An interesting wrinkle to this is that he tended to jump while he shot (and he was often running as he shot it) which later commentators have emphasized is "not like the jump-reach apex-then shoot jump shot today"...but now that we're in the age of Curry, I think we've actually gone back to something pretty close to Luisetti's approach. Curry and others surely have vastly more refined shooting accuracy based on subtle improvements that have come since...but this was the moment where the seed took hold:
December 30th, 1936, Madison Square Garden - when the mecca of (college) basketball got to see Luisetti come from the West Coast, and crush the best the East Coast had to offer.
ftr, Luisetti definitely seems like he might be described as one of the first heliocentric players, so I wouldn't say he played like Curry has come to play. I kinda wanna say that Kyrie Irving might be a closer comparison as Luisetti was known for his ball-handling wizardry and extremely aesthetic game, though it'd obviously still seem quite stilted to us playing at a time where ball weren't standardized, floors weren't standardized, and carrying the ball was for football.
1940s - Goose Tatum (Harlem Globetrotters)
Known primarily as the original clown of the Globetrotters - whose comedic capabilities, the team would reshape themselves around as they stopped being able to keep the best Black basketball players to themselves. But in Tatum's day, the Globetrotters were still an exceptional basketball team, known for beating George Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers in each of the team's first two meetings...which only began after the Lakers were already the champions of whatever league they were in.
The thing that fascinates me about Tatum is that he's the reason why the Pivot play that Dehnert originated in the '20s lived on in a very different form with the Globetrotters than it did in the NBA. Originally, the Pivot played in the high post with the intent to dish the ball to a cutting teammate at their preferred place of shotmaking, but once Mikan came around in the NBA, the pivot really focused first and foremost on grinding toward the rim himself to score.
On the Trotters on the other hand, the Pivot was your Head Clown. He was the one deciding what came next, and when to run which "reel" (plays designed for humor rather than basketball value)...and if you'll note the size of his hands, giant hands really help with the capacity for tricking your opponent. In the image above, Tatum can pass the ball, hand it off, or literally yank it back at any time...all the while having an incredibly tight grip on the ball.
I see the true weaponization of gigantic hands in basketball to be a lost art at this point. Players should be being scouted for their hand size, and those who can easily palm the ball, need to be shown how useful that can be.
1950s - Bill Russell (USF, Boston Celtics)
The most successful basketball player in men's basketball history, and arguably the most mentally ahead of his time (though fellow Californian Luisetti has strong claim himself). Of course "mentally ahead" doesn't necessarily paint the right picture. What he really was, was mentally different in ways that allowed him to become extremely innovative. His grasp of basketball space and whittling away opponent competitive advantage is downright out of Century 21.
1960s - Connie Hawkins (Pittsburgh Rens, Harlem Globetrotters, Pittsburgh Pipers, Phoenix Suns)
The apex of Big Hand basketball comes with the Hawk. People tend to call him a proto-Dr. J, but while he had that same high-flyin swooping tendency - based on hops, agility & big hands - after his years with the Globetrotters, he came out with a schoolyard-honed variant of the Big Hand Pivot model.
It's honestly probably Jokic again who plays most like Hawkins today, but the differences would be far greater than those between Dehnert & Jokic where much of the difference would simply stem from Jokic being better at the things Dehnert was so good at.
1970s - Bill Walton (UCLA Bruins, Portland Trail Blazers)
Walton continues this trend of me being obsessed with passing pivots...though of course the reality is that the obsession led to the historical research, so loving Walton's game and attitude came first.
1980s - Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)
Blasphemous of me to go Bird over Magic here - and not how I felt at the time - but I think Bird's approach is more unique. I think sadly that Bird might have been better had he emulated Magic more, but my god, watching Bird you just realize how fast some people brains operate. Highlight reels of Bird are forever breath taking.
1990s - Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
My god, the body control and the capacity he had for continuing to learn and master what his set his mind to. I think what we're essentially seeing with the internationalization of the game is a rising tide that could have easily not produced any champion superstars until the 2010s. The Dream was a marvel of an outlier.
2000s - Steve Nash (Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns)
Being so wrong about Nash is what ended up being the catalyst for me to shift from simply being a fan of the game, to being something more invested. And he was beautiful to watch out there. Off-the-charts level improvisation and decision making.
2010s - Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
A revolutionary player sustaining his revolution with a continued visibility rarely seen. The game is going to continue to evolve in the wake of what Curry has shown is possible.
Too early to speak to who will define the 2020s for me, but I will give a shout out to someone whose game makes me very happy...
Getting ready for the RealGM 100 on the PC Board
Come join the WNBA Board if you're a fan!
Come join the WNBA Board if you're a fan!
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Narigo
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
60s-Oscar/WIlt
70s-Gilmore/Kareem
80s-Jordan/Gervin
90s-Jordan
00s-Wade/Shaq
10s-Rose
20s-Butler
70s-Gilmore/Kareem
80s-Jordan/Gervin
90s-Jordan
00s-Wade/Shaq
10s-Rose
20s-Butler
Narigo's Fantasy Team
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Sidney Moncrief
SF:
PF: James Worthy
C: Tim Duncan
BE: Robert Horry
BE:
BE:
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Sidney Moncrief
SF:
PF: James Worthy
C: Tim Duncan
BE: Robert Horry
BE:
BE:
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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TheGOATRises007
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
60s - Wilt
70s - Erving
80s - Magic
90s - Jordan
00s - Nash
10s - Rose
20s - Curry
70s - Erving
80s - Magic
90s - Jordan
00s - Nash
10s - Rose
20s - Curry
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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70sFan
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
Since Doctor MJ made such a nice post, I can't limit my take to just listing names 
1950s
Cliff Hagan
Hagan combined everything I like and want from my forward - strong off-ball game, athleticism, developed post game and smart decision making. He also brings his famous running hook shot, which he could take and make anywhere inside 16 feet. I wish we had more St Louis Hawks games, I would say he might be just as important for these contending teams as Pettit.
He was also known as a tough guy on the court, often included in brawls and heated discussions. At the same time though, he was well respected off the court.
Carl Braun
The first big guard in the NBA, starting his career early in the 1940s. At 6'5, he had unheard then combination of ball-handling and shooting ability. His shooting ability presented during warmups introduced the word "swisch" to basketball vocabulary. His lanky posture also helped him being capable defender, often blocking his smaller opponents or acting like a help defender.
I like watching Braun so much, because he's one of the most unique players ever. He had his own shooting form, he handled the ball like nobody after him, he shot the FTs in such an awkward way as well. Just a very cool player to watch, he looks really good in some early 1950s games we have.
Dolph Schayes
Arguably the most forgotten NBA superstar ever. Insanely skilled bigman that shot 90% from the free throw line. Could use his weaker hand as well as his stronger one. Despite not being insanely athletic, players often talked how tough he was to guard. If you have any concerns about him translating to later eras, you should listen Satch Sanders talking about him. Amazing combination of shooting and foul drawing, very crafty player.
1960s
Wilt Chamberlain
I love a lot of things about Wilt. I love his finger roll from the post, I love his one handed fakes, I love his shotblocking ability. He was insanely good athlete with very unique, cool looking style. The way he could make plays from the post with his palming ability is very unique, Globetrotters esque.
There are things you should criticize Wilt, but I can't deny that I love watching him play.
Richie Guerin
Unfortunately, I lost my longer Guerin video due to copyrights...
Guerin at first place may look strange for modern basketball fans. His setshot was a thing from the past, he was the last true setshot master in the league. Yet the more you watch him, the more impressive he looks. He was very good playmaker and his ball-handling ability helped him to become one of the best creators of his era. His scoring repertoire was also more complex than it may look at first - he could finish through traffic with finger rolls and scoop shots, he also had short midrange pull-up jumpshot.
1970s
Nate Thurmond
One of the greatest specimens that ever stepped on the basketball court. Insane wingspan for his height (longer than Wilt's 7'8 reach), extremely low bodyfat and core strength. These traits along with his BBIQ and dedication turned him into the greatest man defender that ever existed.
On offensive end, he wasn't particulary efficient but I find his scoring moves quite cool to watch. If only he could make these long jumpshots at decent rate...
Walt Frazier
The coolest player ever period. Everything related to Clyde was cool - the way he moved, the way he scored, the way he nonchalantly steal ball after ball against the best players in the world. He's probably my favorite guard of all-time to be honest.
Julius Erving
I don't think I need to explain that - Julius was a poetry in motion. Arguably the most aesthetically pleasing player to watch in the whole history.
Earl Monroe
He's known as the prototype of players I don't really enjoy watching, but the truth is that Monroe was so fundamentally sound as a scorer compared to other flashy guards from later eras. He wasn't particulary big and he couldn't jump to save his life, yet somehow he managed to be one of the best players in the league at his position.
Artis Gilmore
You all know it was coming - A-Train might be my favorite player ever. He's the cooler ABA version of Wilt Chamberlain, expect that he adds Kareem-esque left handed skyhook to his repertoire. How can you get anything cooler than that?
Gilmore wasn't only cool looking though - he was possibly the strongest player in NBA history and it's a joy to watch him pushing around big guys without any effort.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
How can I exclude the best post player in NBA history? I can't, that's why he's on the list.
1980s
George Gervin
Iceman was the ultimate scorer, one of the greatest ever. And one of the most exciting as well. I love how he finished inside the paint with his singature finger roll, but he also had various scoop shots, floaters and hooks that he could use in any situation. On top of that, he wasn't ball dominant - he moved without the ball effortlessly and he always tried to keep the ball moving. I also like his younger seasons when he cared about defense.
Adrian Dantley
The Teacher taught me how to play basketball. I studies countless hours of him beating hopeless defenders in isolation. Defenders that were bigger, stronger and more athletic than him. It's absolutely marvelous to watch, every move he did had a purpose. Young players should watch his highlights to learn how to use his body, how to adjust their release point to a certain type of defender, how to move without the ball.
Dantley was amazing, even with his clear limitations you can't appreciate him enough.
Magic Johnson
To be specific - older version of Magic Johnson that solved the game of basketball in a way I haven't seen anyone else reaching. He was always two or three steps ahead of defenders, he knew how to punish even the smallest mismatch, he was more agressive than anyone.
On top of his amazing passing ability and quick decision making, I love the way he abused his great post game against any type of defender.
I will stop for now, it's getting exhausting at this point
1950s
Cliff Hagan
Hagan combined everything I like and want from my forward - strong off-ball game, athleticism, developed post game and smart decision making. He also brings his famous running hook shot, which he could take and make anywhere inside 16 feet. I wish we had more St Louis Hawks games, I would say he might be just as important for these contending teams as Pettit.
He was also known as a tough guy on the court, often included in brawls and heated discussions. At the same time though, he was well respected off the court.
Carl Braun
The first big guard in the NBA, starting his career early in the 1940s. At 6'5, he had unheard then combination of ball-handling and shooting ability. His shooting ability presented during warmups introduced the word "swisch" to basketball vocabulary. His lanky posture also helped him being capable defender, often blocking his smaller opponents or acting like a help defender.
I like watching Braun so much, because he's one of the most unique players ever. He had his own shooting form, he handled the ball like nobody after him, he shot the FTs in such an awkward way as well. Just a very cool player to watch, he looks really good in some early 1950s games we have.
Dolph Schayes
Arguably the most forgotten NBA superstar ever. Insanely skilled bigman that shot 90% from the free throw line. Could use his weaker hand as well as his stronger one. Despite not being insanely athletic, players often talked how tough he was to guard. If you have any concerns about him translating to later eras, you should listen Satch Sanders talking about him. Amazing combination of shooting and foul drawing, very crafty player.
1960s
Wilt Chamberlain
I love a lot of things about Wilt. I love his finger roll from the post, I love his one handed fakes, I love his shotblocking ability. He was insanely good athlete with very unique, cool looking style. The way he could make plays from the post with his palming ability is very unique, Globetrotters esque.
There are things you should criticize Wilt, but I can't deny that I love watching him play.
Richie Guerin
Unfortunately, I lost my longer Guerin video due to copyrights...
Guerin at first place may look strange for modern basketball fans. His setshot was a thing from the past, he was the last true setshot master in the league. Yet the more you watch him, the more impressive he looks. He was very good playmaker and his ball-handling ability helped him to become one of the best creators of his era. His scoring repertoire was also more complex than it may look at first - he could finish through traffic with finger rolls and scoop shots, he also had short midrange pull-up jumpshot.
1970s
Nate Thurmond
One of the greatest specimens that ever stepped on the basketball court. Insane wingspan for his height (longer than Wilt's 7'8 reach), extremely low bodyfat and core strength. These traits along with his BBIQ and dedication turned him into the greatest man defender that ever existed.
On offensive end, he wasn't particulary efficient but I find his scoring moves quite cool to watch. If only he could make these long jumpshots at decent rate...
Walt Frazier
The coolest player ever period. Everything related to Clyde was cool - the way he moved, the way he scored, the way he nonchalantly steal ball after ball against the best players in the world. He's probably my favorite guard of all-time to be honest.
Julius Erving
I don't think I need to explain that - Julius was a poetry in motion. Arguably the most aesthetically pleasing player to watch in the whole history.
Earl Monroe
He's known as the prototype of players I don't really enjoy watching, but the truth is that Monroe was so fundamentally sound as a scorer compared to other flashy guards from later eras. He wasn't particulary big and he couldn't jump to save his life, yet somehow he managed to be one of the best players in the league at his position.
Artis Gilmore
You all know it was coming - A-Train might be my favorite player ever. He's the cooler ABA version of Wilt Chamberlain, expect that he adds Kareem-esque left handed skyhook to his repertoire. How can you get anything cooler than that?
Gilmore wasn't only cool looking though - he was possibly the strongest player in NBA history and it's a joy to watch him pushing around big guys without any effort.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
How can I exclude the best post player in NBA history? I can't, that's why he's on the list.
1980s
George Gervin
Iceman was the ultimate scorer, one of the greatest ever. And one of the most exciting as well. I love how he finished inside the paint with his singature finger roll, but he also had various scoop shots, floaters and hooks that he could use in any situation. On top of that, he wasn't ball dominant - he moved without the ball effortlessly and he always tried to keep the ball moving. I also like his younger seasons when he cared about defense.
Adrian Dantley
The Teacher taught me how to play basketball. I studies countless hours of him beating hopeless defenders in isolation. Defenders that were bigger, stronger and more athletic than him. It's absolutely marvelous to watch, every move he did had a purpose. Young players should watch his highlights to learn how to use his body, how to adjust their release point to a certain type of defender, how to move without the ball.
Dantley was amazing, even with his clear limitations you can't appreciate him enough.
Magic Johnson
To be specific - older version of Magic Johnson that solved the game of basketball in a way I haven't seen anyone else reaching. He was always two or three steps ahead of defenders, he knew how to punish even the smallest mismatch, he was more agressive than anyone.
On top of his amazing passing ability and quick decision making, I love the way he abused his great post game against any type of defender.
I will stop for now, it's getting exhausting at this point
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
-
eminence
- RealGM
- Posts: 16,941
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
I’ll go back to simple listing 
Bob Davies
Oscar Robertson
Bobby Jones
Magic Johnson
Scottie Pippen
Andrei Kirilenko
Steph Curry
Undecided for 20s yet - 70s and 90s my least sure, 90s used to be Stockton as a kid, 00s was between Kobe and AK in the moment
Bob Davies
Oscar Robertson
Bobby Jones
Magic Johnson
Scottie Pippen
Andrei Kirilenko
Steph Curry
Undecided for 20s yet - 70s and 90s my least sure, 90s used to be Stockton as a kid, 00s was between Kobe and AK in the moment
I bought a boat.
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Texas Chuck
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
I only have favorites from when I was basketball aware. So starting with the 1980's:
Nique
Pippen
Dirk
Barea(really Dirk, but throwing JJ some love)
This decade is too premature. Dorian Finney-Smith, Mikal Bridges early clubhouse leaders
Nique
Pippen
Dirk
Barea(really Dirk, but throwing JJ some love)
This decade is too premature. Dorian Finney-Smith, Mikal Bridges early clubhouse leaders
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Reservoirdawgs
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
I started following the NBA in the 90s. Here's my list:
1990's:
Glen Rice (#1). I was only 8 when I was able to start following the NBA which happened to coincide with the Heat/Hornets trade of Alonzo with Glen Rice, so I became a big Glen Rice fan since I loved the Hornets.
Shaq - I enjoyed watching him play. I made my dad take me to see Kazam on opening day (thanks, Dad!)
Jordan - UNC connection
2000's:
Steve Nash - I fell out of the NBA for several years when the Hornets left Charlotte. Seven seconds or less Suns got me back into the NBA
Tim Duncan - Truly dominant big man. I had a friend who was a big Garnett fan so I liked to cheer for Duncan since the two of them were rivals.
Lebron James - Watching his first game was must-see TV. He is only a few years older than me so it was cool watching someone only two years older with that much hype about to play in their first NBA game.
2010's:
Steph Curry - Not only did he transform the NBA for the better, but he also taught me a valuable lesson about judging players simply because they don't "look" like a basketball player. For years I had said that Curry was overrated and too injury prone to accomplish anything. The Warriors reinvention in 2015 and him becoming the best player on the planet forced me to rethink my bias towards basketball and made me realize I didn't understand the game as well as I thought I did.
Lebron James - Love watching him play.
Draymond Green - Yes, he's an ass. But he + Steph are an amazing basketball combo. Remarkably high basketball IQ with great passing and talent.
1990's:
Glen Rice (#1). I was only 8 when I was able to start following the NBA which happened to coincide with the Heat/Hornets trade of Alonzo with Glen Rice, so I became a big Glen Rice fan since I loved the Hornets.
Shaq - I enjoyed watching him play. I made my dad take me to see Kazam on opening day (thanks, Dad!)
Jordan - UNC connection
2000's:
Steve Nash - I fell out of the NBA for several years when the Hornets left Charlotte. Seven seconds or less Suns got me back into the NBA
Tim Duncan - Truly dominant big man. I had a friend who was a big Garnett fan so I liked to cheer for Duncan since the two of them were rivals.
Lebron James - Watching his first game was must-see TV. He is only a few years older than me so it was cool watching someone only two years older with that much hype about to play in their first NBA game.
2010's:
Steph Curry - Not only did he transform the NBA for the better, but he also taught me a valuable lesson about judging players simply because they don't "look" like a basketball player. For years I had said that Curry was overrated and too injury prone to accomplish anything. The Warriors reinvention in 2015 and him becoming the best player on the planet forced me to rethink my bias towards basketball and made me realize I didn't understand the game as well as I thought I did.
Lebron James - Love watching him play.
Draymond Green - Yes, he's an ass. But he + Steph are an amazing basketball combo. Remarkably high basketball IQ with great passing and talent.
So when is this plane going down? I'll ride it til' it hits the ground!
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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falcolombardi
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
i am gonna start with players i saw live
i started playing and watching ballketball circa 2009, and the first ever nba game i watched was cleveland against some team i forgot
at the time i remember thinking he just looked like a monster out there, speed, power and size looked overwhelming, as a kid i was just so impressed and developed my love for athletic slashers that later would include westbrook when i decided to become a okc fan (was a boston fan for a couple years before cause i loved rondo, pierce, garnett and ray)
watching lebron journey from 2009 to now has been just a roller coaster at seeing his skill and game develop through all the high and lows
2009-now:
lebron (see above)
westbrook: his overwhelming strenght and huge weaknesses at his prime just made for a fascinating player to watch, he was just a experience to watch
garnett: just loved his all court defensive approach and his high post passing and midrange game
giannis:just breathtaking physical ability and seeing him develop the skillset to match has been a pleasore to see in real time, really cool character to root for
chris paul: the ultimate player at my size lol, i always loved his game. dominating in offense and playing great defense as a small not super athletic guard is mindblowing
others i love to watch
jordan: people who know me may think i am low om jordan cause i argue for lebron over him but he is one of my favorite players to watch, i dont think there is any retired player i have watches more games of
hakeem: just incredible skill, defense, and atletism
duncan: gained a love of love for his big fundamental style, just the ultimate textbook player
moses: i am a fan of unorthodox superstars and moses may be the ultimate one that was not supposed to be one
wilt: i am fascinared by his skill, his athletism but also his personality
wilt is the ultimate greek mythological player: unprecedented and arguably unmatched skills only contained to mortality by his own hubris (and crippling weaknesses in his skillset like free throws) at times
yet when he was focused and witj the right direction he may have just reached unmatched heights
magic: just incredible passing, handles and intellgience im a huge body, his fake passes in the drive are the most beatiful moves in basketball history imo
andre roberson: my favorite defensive player and of the players i have loves the most rooting for
rondo: loved his game back in the celtics, those fake passes on the mpve were smooth
jrue one of my favorite players to watch playing defense
i started playing and watching ballketball circa 2009, and the first ever nba game i watched was cleveland against some team i forgot
at the time i remember thinking he just looked like a monster out there, speed, power and size looked overwhelming, as a kid i was just so impressed and developed my love for athletic slashers that later would include westbrook when i decided to become a okc fan (was a boston fan for a couple years before cause i loved rondo, pierce, garnett and ray)
watching lebron journey from 2009 to now has been just a roller coaster at seeing his skill and game develop through all the high and lows
2009-now:
lebron (see above)
westbrook: his overwhelming strenght and huge weaknesses at his prime just made for a fascinating player to watch, he was just a experience to watch
garnett: just loved his all court defensive approach and his high post passing and midrange game
giannis:just breathtaking physical ability and seeing him develop the skillset to match has been a pleasore to see in real time, really cool character to root for
chris paul: the ultimate player at my size lol, i always loved his game. dominating in offense and playing great defense as a small not super athletic guard is mindblowing
others i love to watch
jordan: people who know me may think i am low om jordan cause i argue for lebron over him but he is one of my favorite players to watch, i dont think there is any retired player i have watches more games of
hakeem: just incredible skill, defense, and atletism
duncan: gained a love of love for his big fundamental style, just the ultimate textbook player
moses: i am a fan of unorthodox superstars and moses may be the ultimate one that was not supposed to be one
wilt: i am fascinared by his skill, his athletism but also his personality
wilt is the ultimate greek mythological player: unprecedented and arguably unmatched skills only contained to mortality by his own hubris (and crippling weaknesses in his skillset like free throws) at times
yet when he was focused and witj the right direction he may have just reached unmatched heights
magic: just incredible passing, handles and intellgience im a huge body, his fake passes in the drive are the most beatiful moves in basketball history imo
andre roberson: my favorite defensive player and of the players i have loves the most rooting for
rondo: loved his game back in the celtics, those fake passes on the mpve were smooth
jrue one of my favorite players to watch playing defense
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Dutchball97
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
1950s: Paul Arizin
1960s: Bill Russell
1970s: Julius Erving
1980s: Larry Bird
1990s: Charles Barkley
2000s: Kobe Bryant
2010s: Kawhi Leonard
2020s: Nikola Jokic
1960s: Bill Russell
1970s: Julius Erving
1980s: Larry Bird
1990s: Charles Barkley
2000s: Kobe Bryant
2010s: Kawhi Leonard
2020s: Nikola Jokic
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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clearlynotjesse
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
70s: Walton, Erving
80s: Bird, Magic
90s: Jordan
00s: Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki, Nash (my personal Mt Rushmore, they'll never be topped)
10s: Kawhi, Klay, CP3, George (nice to see 2 way wings after hating on the chuckers of the 00s)
20s: Jokic, Giannis (kinda the modern Walton and Erving)
80s: Bird, Magic
90s: Jordan
00s: Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki, Nash (my personal Mt Rushmore, they'll never be topped)
10s: Kawhi, Klay, CP3, George (nice to see 2 way wings after hating on the chuckers of the 00s)
20s: Jokic, Giannis (kinda the modern Walton and Erving)
10 nash/09 daniels
05 ginobili
06 battier/12 iguodala
08 kg/11 dirk
07 duncan
05 ginobili
06 battier/12 iguodala
08 kg/11 dirk
07 duncan
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Dnt hate
- Sixth Man
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
prolific passer wrote::crazy:
50s: Pettit and Hagan
60s: Wilt and Wilkens
70s: Unseld and Gus Johnson
80s: Nique and Parish
90s: Kemp, Hakeem, Jordan
00s: Iverson
2010s: Lebron
90s: Iverson, Barkley, MJ, Eddie Jones, David Robinson, Hakeem
00s: Iverson, Ray Allen, Nowitzki, Duncan
10s: Embiid, Greek Freak, Lillard
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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rand
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
Narigo wrote:60s-Oscar/WIlt
70s-Gilmore/Kareem
80s-Jordan/Gervin
90s-Jordan
00s-Wade/Shaq
10s-Rose
20s-Butler
00s must've been a tough time as a Bulls fan. You know no matter what it'll never be as good as what you had the decade before.
Dnt hate wrote:90s: Iverson, Barkley, MJ, Eddie Jones, David Robinson, Hakeem
00s: Iverson, Ray Allen, Nowitzki, Duncan
10s: Embiid, Greek Freak, Lillard
I didn't like Iverson at the time because I was already an efficiency acolyte and regarded his play as selfishly suboptimal but I did like watching him play because his game was unique and spectacular.
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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penbeast0
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
50s Cliff Hagan -- Before my time but I used to play every day on driveway courts with taller guys and learned those running hook shots going down the line to get off my shot since I was too slow to stop and pop.
60s Gus Johnson -- Could have been Earl Monroe too, if he hadn't gone to New York, but the Bullets were my first team (other than the Washington Capitols whose star, Rick Barry, went out of his way to antagonize the local fan base). Got him to autograph my ball, but I only had one and wore it off.
70s Wes Unseld/Mel Daniel -- NBA or ABA (got hooked on ABA when they were here and from collecting basketball cards).
80s Sidney Moncrief/Fat Lever -- so much fun to watch but for so short a time
90s John Stockton -- Less fond of him now as his anti-vaccination stand plays into a whole anti-science subculture I'm not fond of but just the prefect pass first PG (until Chris Paul).
00s Tim Duncan -- winning with class and modesty, so rare in a modern NBA superstar where so many come off as entitled jerks (be like Mike)
10s Tony Allen, Manu Ginobili -- love me some bench dogs
60s Gus Johnson -- Could have been Earl Monroe too, if he hadn't gone to New York, but the Bullets were my first team (other than the Washington Capitols whose star, Rick Barry, went out of his way to antagonize the local fan base). Got him to autograph my ball, but I only had one and wore it off.
70s Wes Unseld/Mel Daniel -- NBA or ABA (got hooked on ABA when they were here and from collecting basketball cards).
80s Sidney Moncrief/Fat Lever -- so much fun to watch but for so short a time
90s John Stockton -- Less fond of him now as his anti-vaccination stand plays into a whole anti-science subculture I'm not fond of but just the prefect pass first PG (until Chris Paul).
00s Tim Duncan -- winning with class and modesty, so rare in a modern NBA superstar where so many come off as entitled jerks (be like Mike)
10s Tony Allen, Manu Ginobili -- love me some bench dogs
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination,” Andrew Lang.
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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GSP
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
Only from eras I actually watched
80s- Larry
90s- Admiral
00s- Kg
10s- Bron
20s- Timelord
80s- Larry
90s- Admiral
00s- Kg
10s- Bron
20s- Timelord
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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Matt15
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
70's-Kareem
80's-Bird
90's-Barkley
00's-Kobe
10's-Curry
20's-Jokic
80's-Bird
90's-Barkley
00's-Kobe
10's-Curry
20's-Jokic
Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
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oaktownwarriors87
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Re: Favorite player(s) from each decade.
80: Jordan
90: Jordan
00: Kobe
10: Curry
20: Curry
90: Jordan
00: Kobe
10: Curry
20: Curry
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