My new project: top-5 1-year player peaks ever

[Gregoire]

Hello, guys! I decided to create my own voting panel about greatest peaks of all-time. I know year ago there was something like these (created by Doctor MJ), but IMO not all good posters voted at the time and there are a lot of new, very knowlegable and objective posters in these forum in 2013 year. And in any case voting panel in 2012 was just too small. So, Im very interested in rankings peaks of all-time greats and I propose YOU to vote in these thread for your top-5 or top-10 players peaks. All posters of course (I am not mod and don’t pretend) can vote, discuss, give the arguments, BUT I would like if the posters from list below would vote and deeply explain (if it is possible).
Why I “select” these guys? Because I read a lot on RealGm and for me they are best and more well-balanced posters: some have of course their biases: McGill and Shaqattack – Shaq, ardee – Wilt, dipper – Wilt, bastilion – antiWilt, fatal – Hakeem ect… But in any case, you guys know the game in right way in my view. For other posters: maybe I overlooked somebody or just didn’t read their post attentively. In any case its only my very subjective opinion of some unknown basketball fan (not even the naturally English-speaking).
About voting: I think for not create a lot of threads like in 2012, you just can give here your top-5 peaks in order with explanation (if interesting) and discuss all your choices here. Its not about just best seasons, but BEST PEAKS. So, its like the gypothetical situstion: after NBA postseason you have one more postseason and you need to select the guy to win with him the title with any given supporting cast, with any rules and in any era. I hope Doctor MJ will agreed with me to create these thread and would help me in some ways.
The names in the panel done in not some order (not even alphabethical), its just how I write it without structure. I hope all these guys will voted. Well, this is my "wish panel":

1. ardee
2. Doctor MJ
3. Mutnt
4. Laimbeer
5. DavidStern
6. Dr Positivity
7. Dipper 13
8. ElGee
9. tsherkin
10. 0_6
11. therealbig3
12. Penbeast0
13. ThaRegul8r
14. jals
15. bastillon
16. NugzHeat3
17. Durins Baynes
18. McGill
19. fatal9
20. Shaqattack3234
21. mystibb
22. Jim Naismith
23. accrossthecourt
24. thebottomline
25. DrazenForThree
26. islamovic
27. rravenred
28. PaulieWall
29.Y-Knot
30. Baseline Runner
31.Chosen01
32. Joao Saraiva
33. TheChosen618
34. DEEP3CL
35. fpliii
36.Gideon
37.mopper8
38.Narigo
39 Infamous1
40.ChiLa Bulkers
41.SinceGatlingWasARookie
42 GSP
43 HeartBreakKid
44 richboy
45 Rasho_libre
46 SideshowBob
47 Mr Mojo Risin

Some very intelligent guys often didn’t give the order and can post something like :
1.Scalabrini/Tolliver/Vucevic
2.Stiesma

In these thread I hope you will give the EXACTLY order ( for this moment of course, the opinion of intelligent guy will change time to time). You are welcome to vote!

[ThaRegul8r]

I read a lot on RealGm and for me they are best and more well-balanced posters: some have of course their biases: McGill and Shaqattack – Shaq, ardee – Wilt, dipper – Wilt, bastilion – antiWilt, fatal – Hakeem ect…

I've read Shaqattack's posts on another board, and have spoken with him, and he isn't completely unobjective like most people are. In particular, posters who have a player's name in their handle are usually nothing more than stans and/or fanboys for whomever their player is, but—from what I've read and the conversations I've had with him, Shaqattack is an exception in that he's actually able to be objective about his player, who is Shaq in his case. I've been around, and he's one of the very few player advocates I would say that about. Most people you'll never see them say anything remotely critical of whomever their chosen player is (and by this I mean objective criticism, not agenda-fueled bashing).

[Gregoire]

I read a lot on RealGm and for me they are best and more well-balanced posters: some have of course their biases: McGill and Shaqattack – Shaq, ardee – Wilt, dipper – Wilt, bastilion – antiWilt, fatal – Hakeem ect…

I've read Shaqattack's posts on another board, and have spoken with him, and he isn't completely unobjective like most people are. In particular, posters who have a player's name in their handle are usually nothing more than stans and/or fanboys for whomever their player is, but—from what I've read and the conversations I've had with him, Shaqattack is an exception in that he's actually able to be objective about his player, who is Shaq in his case. I've been around, and he's one of the very few player advocates I would say that about. Most people you'll never see them say anything remotely critical of whomever their chosen player is (and by this I mean objective criticism, not agenda-fueled bashing).

Yes, Ive noticed it and selected him for these project. BTW you was selected too, what your vote?

[ceiling raiser]

I generally don't do rankings anymore (definitely not top 10 GOAT lists, though this is a little different so I don't have a huge problem), but I can try to come up with a list when I have a chance (just to make my biases clear, I'm a pro-defense and pro-bigs guy; no particular era preferences).

Just wondering...are we limited to one season per player? i.e. are you looking for something like this (just an example, not my actual top 5):

Jordan 90
Hakeem 93
Jordan 91
Bird 84
Hakeem 94
Bird 86

where a guy can be used multiple times (I guess that's a top 6, but it makes my point) or:

Jordan 90
Hakeem 93
Bird 84
Garnett 04
Duncan 03

where each player can only be used once?

[Gregoire]

I generally don't do rankings anymore (definitely not top 10 GOAT lists, though this is a little different so I don't have a huge problem), but I can try to come up with a list when I have a chance (just to make my biases clear, I'm a pro-defense and pro-bigs guy; no particular era preferences).

Just wondering...are we limited to one season per player? i.e. are you looking for something like this (just an example, not my actual top 5):

Jordan 90
Hakeem 93
Jordan 91
Bird 84
Hakeem 94
Bird 86

where a guy can be used multiple times (I guess that's a top 6, but it makes my point) or:

Jordan 90
Hakeem 93
Bird 84
Garnett 04
Duncan 03

where each player can only be used once?

I think your second variant is what I asked. Each player can only be used once ( his best season in your opinion).

[ardee]

I'm in.

5 will be a little too small though. I suggest considering 10 or 15.

[therealbig3]

My top 2 are pretty set in stone: 1991 Michael Jordan and 2000 Shaquille O'Neal. After that, there's a lot of people in the mix: Russell, Wilt, Bird, Magic, LeBron, Duncan, KG, Hakeem, and Kareem, in some order.

My next 2 would probably be 1965 Bill Russell and 2013 LeBron James, I think they're a cut above everyone else. I am giving Russell the benefit of the doubt in terms of his impact, because his offense is clearly the worst on this list. His defensive impact was incredible, but would it be better than Hakeem's, Duncan's, or KG's in today's game, and if it would be, by how much? Would it still be by enough to overcome his offensive deficiencies? I honestly don't know, there are good arguments on either side, in terms of how he would adjust and whatnot, so for now, I'll give him that benefit of the doubt and give him a top 4 spot.

My last pick would probably be between Bird, Magic, Kareem, Hakeem, and Wilt. I think I'd go with Bird. Just insane offensive impact, GOAT portability, and his defense was quite good and had some decent impact imo.

1. 1991 Michael Jordan
2. 2000 Shaquille O'Neal

3. 2013 LeBron James
4. 1965 Bill Russell

5. 1986 Larry Bird
HM: 1987 Magic Johnson, 1977 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon, and 1967 Wilt Chamberlain

After those 9 players, 2002 Tim Duncan and 2004 Kevin Garnett go in some order, followed by 1977 Bill Walton and 1976 Julius Erving in some order.

[ardee]

1. 1967 Wilt Chamberlain
2. 1991 Michael Jordan

3. 2000 Shaquille O'Neal
3. 2013 LeBron James
5. 1986 Larry Bird

6. 1987 Magic Johnson
7. 1977 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

8. 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon
9. 2003 Tim Duncan
10. 1962 Bill Russell

[ceiling raiser]

Just a preliminary list:

1) 67 Wilt (also considering 64, and there's a decent chance I change this)
2) 00 Shaq (also considering 01, but I don't think I can do playoffs only so I need to go with this year due to defense)
3) 64 Russell (pretty certain about this year)
4) 93 Hakeem (also considering 94 and 95, but I don't know how much sense they make)
5) 77 Walton (pretty sure about this too)

I really think Jordan and either Bird or LeBron should be in here, but at the present time I can't justify their placement based on my team-building philosophy. I'm reevaluating my stance on bigs (I might not change my position, but I'm breaking it down and giving it another look just to make sure I'm as certain as I can be). Kareem isn't too far behind Walton and I may swap them (unlikely).

HM (not in order): ?? Kareem, 04 Garnett, 03 Duncan, 76 Erving, 13 LeBron, ?? Jordan, ?? Bird, ?? Robinson, ?? Robertson.

[Narigo]

The 5th choice was extremely hard for me it was either Kareem, Russell, Walton and Hakeem. I leaned towards Kareem as my 5th choice but it can change. Then after that it will be Duncan, Magic, Bird, and Garnett in some order


1. 1991 Michael Jordan
2. 1967 Wilt Chamberlain
3. 2000 Shaquille O'Neal
4. 2013 LeBron James
5. 1977 Kareem Abdul Jabbar

HM:
77 Walton, 03 Duncan, 62 Russell, 86 Bird, 90 Magic, 04 Garnett, and 93 Hakeem

[Gregoire]

The 5th choice was extremely hard for me it was either Kareem, Russell, Walton and Hakeem. I leaned towards Kareem as my 5th choice but it can change. Then after that it will be Duncan, Magic, Bird, and Garnett in some order


1. 1991 Michael Jordan
2. 1967 Wilt Chamberlain
3. 2000 Shaquille O'Neal
4. 2013 LeBron James
5. 1977 Kareem Abdul Jabbar

HM:
77 Walton, 03 Duncan, 62 Russell, 86 Bird, 90 Magic, 04 Garnett, and 93 Hakeem

Very good list! Sorry, if I overlooked you in the panel. And why Kareem 77 and not saying 71 or 74?

[Gregoire]

Just a preliminary list:

1) 67 Wilt (also considering 64, and there's a decent chance I change this)
2) 00 Shaq (also considering 01, but I don't think I can do playoffs only so I need to go with this year due to defense)
3) 64 Russell (pretty certain about this year)
4) 93 Hakeem (also considering 94 and 95, but I don't know how much sense they make)
5) 77 Walton (pretty sure about this too)

I really think Jordan and either Bird or LeBron should be in here, but at the present time I can't justify their placement based on my team-building philosophy. I'm reevaluating my stance on bigs (I might not change my position, but I'm breaking it down and giving it another look just to make sure I'm as certain as I can be). Kareem isn't too far behind Walton and I may swap them (unlikely).

HM (not in order): ?? Kareem, 04 Garnett, 03 Duncan, 76 Erving, 13 LeBron, ?? Jordan, ?? Bird, ?? Robinson, ?? Robertson.

Do you consider 64 Wilt just as impactful as 67 version?

[ceiling raiser]

Just a preliminary list:

1) 67 Wilt (also considering 64, and there's a decent chance I change this)
2) 00 Shaq (also considering 01, but I don't think I can do playoffs only so I need to go with this year due to defense)
3) 64 Russell (pretty certain about this year)
4) 93 Hakeem (also considering 94 and 95, but I don't know how much sense they make)
5) 77 Walton (pretty sure about this too)

I really think Jordan and either Bird or LeBron should be in here, but at the present time I can't justify their placement based on my team-building philosophy. I'm reevaluating my stance on bigs (I might not change my position, but I'm breaking it down and giving it another look just to make sure I'm as certain as I can be). Kareem isn't too far behind Walton and I may swap them (unlikely).

HM (not in order): ?? Kareem, 04 Garnett, 03 Duncan, 76 Erving, 13 LeBron, ?? Jordan, ?? Bird, ?? Robinson, ?? Robertson.

Do you consider 64 Wilt just as impactful as 67 version?

I'm not sure, maybe. Certainly more impactful on the defensive end (even with a rookie Nate, he was tremendous and the team rates as one of the best ever using DRtg estimates relative to league average); I think it's possible that 67 was only Wilt's 6th best defensive season (after 64, 66, 68, 72, 73), but the offensive edge that year is hard to ignore. When I have some spare time I'll have to go through the game synopses from the Oakland Tribune that year and see what I can learn from sources other than the team's numbers.

[GSP]

1. 00 Shaq
2. 91 Mj
3. 65 Russell
4. 10 Lbj
5. 86 Bird
---
6. 67 Wilt
7. 93 Hakeem
8. 03 Timmy
9. 04 Kg
10. 87 Magic

[ardee]

to the people ranking Russell's peak over Wilt's.

Seriously. This is carrying over from the peaks project. It's all just "-10 DRtg! -10 DRtg! Wowwwwww."

That's basically just as bad as RINGZZZ RINGZZZ RINGZZZ.

There is no objective thing to suggest Russell did more things of value on a basketball court in either of '64 or '65 than Wilt did in '67. The numbers don't lie, if you're volume scoring on +14.4 TS%, leading the league in rebounds, and being the point guard for a +7 offense, it's impossible to top that really.

[Rasho_libre]

I've changed my order up a little in the last bit, I've thought if Lebron wins a title this year if have to put him easily above shaq 2000, but decided against it because shaqs finals run was better. After closer observation I've also switched kaj and wilt up. For now in order

91 Jordan easily number 1.
2000 shaq
13 Lebron
67 wilt
77 kaj

That's the top 5 and it won't be touched and no repeat players so I can't put 09,12 lbj or 92,93,96 etc Jordan anywhere.after that I have these guys In Order like this for now but it changes all the time.

87 magic
86 bird
93 Akeem
2003 Duncan
65 Russell

[flashwade33]

Mine is:
1 - Michael Jordan 1991
2 - Shaquille O'neal 2000
3 - Wilt Chamberlain 1967
4 - Larry Bird 1986
5 - Lebron James 2013

I am actually torn between Lebron 2012 and Lebron 2013, can't decide which one was better. Considering only RS, definitely Lebron 2013, but I am not that impressed with his playoff performance. He was something else in the playoffs in 2012.

HM: Hakeem 93, Magic 87, Russell 65.

[Gregoire]

Want more voting and DISCUSSION here

[Gregoire]

Ok, since the discussion isnt hot, I post my top-5 at these moment. I created these thread to evaluate my top-5 deeper, but now its:
1. MJ 91
2. Shaq 00
3. Wilt 67
4. Lebron 13
5. Hakeem 93
HM: Kareem 74, Bird 86 and Russell 64

[Gregoire]

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