Jack Sikma vs. Bill Laimbeer

[AStark1991]

These are the guys that seem to be generally regarded as the original stretch 5's. Excellent rebounders as well. Who do you think had the better overall career?

[eminence]

Give me Jack. Don't see major differences as a spacer/defender/rebounder - but think Sikma has a bit more in his offensive bag, generally a better offensive decision maker. A bit better longevity for Sikma as well.

Think both were a bit underrated in their era, but would generally describe Laimbeer as an Allstar level guy in prime, and Sikma as a low end All-NBA guy. Positional caps limited award accumulation for both, at C it's much harder to compete with the KAJ/Moses/Hakeems of the world than the 2nd team 80s forwards/guards. 3rd team introduced too late to grab any of those.

Parish another 80s C I think should be discussed on this level (obviously a different type of player), who I think I'd put 2a for prime, longevity further stretching the lead over Laimbeer. Sikma still the career #1 of the trio for me.

[penbeast0]

Funny, I'd say that Sikma looked better when he played and seemed to have more skills, but Laimbeer seemed to be more effective. Not because he was better but because his dirty tricks and cheap shots got into more heads than Dennis Rodman and made the whole Bad Boys persona that Detroit took on work. I agree that raw numbers underrate both of them with their non-shotblocking defense and ability to shoot from outside adding value to their counting numbers.

[jdzimme3]

Still wild to me that Sikma played only D3. Are there any other examples of hof nba players who only played D3 college ball?

[penbeast0]

Can't remember any offhand, but Sikma is listed as NAIA (3 time NAIA all star). (looking it up) Several other HOF players were NAIA as well: Mikkelsen, Baylor, Reed, Gervin, Rodman, Pippen, Ben Wallace. Terry Porter and RIck Mahorn too though they aren't in the HOF.

[kcktiny]

These are the guys that seem to be generally regarded as the original stretch 5's. Excellent rebounders as well. Who do you think had the better overall career?

I'm guessing even you did not actually realize just how very similar these 2 players really were.

Sikma played for the Sonics for 9 seasons - from 1977-78 to 1985-86 - lead them in minutes played (24707). During that time Seattle was the 4th best defensive team in the league (102.1 pts/100poss allowed). Only Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Phoenix were better defensively (19 teams were worse).

During these 9 years Sikma lead the league in defensive rebounds (5948), and among Cs was 5th in points scored (12034), 3rd in assists (2345), and 16th in blocks (705).

Laimbeer started at C for the Pistons for 9 seasons - from 1982-83 to 1990-91 - was 2nd on the team in minutes played (25252). During that time Detroit was the 3rd best defensive team in the league (104.6 pts/100poss allowed). Only Utah and Milwaukee were better (24 teams were worse, 18 that played 9 seasons).

During these 9 seasons Laimbeer lead the league in defensive rebounds (6068), and among Cs was 4th in points scored (10703), 3rd in assists (1567), and 19th in blocks (725).

[Ol Roy]

Sikma was more of a focal point...more heavily guarded. I like his ability to get a contested shot off over anybody. Really instinctive passer. Pretty mobile, solid defender. Historically really underrated, he would be perfect for today.

While the box score numbers are fairly close, I view Laimbeer as more of a role player. I think playing with Isaih and Dumars (who is very underrated too, IMO) opens a lot up.

[penbeast0]

They weren't the 1st stretch 5s. Clyde Lovellette back in the 50s liked to pull his man out and shoot jumpers; just no 3 point line at the time. Wilt apparently hated Lovellette both because he wasn't happy moving away from the basket on defense but also because Lovellette was a predecessor at U. Kansas and the racists would tell Wilt he wasn't as good.