Most Overrated Player in the Top 10

[pipfan]

Sorry, I posted a trade initially here, on the GB. But, I wanted to post this

Of the consensus top 10 guys (I know some have Kobe, KG or others in their top 10, but these 10 are the most common found on our lists on RealGm), which is most overrated.

Now, OF COURSE, all of them are legends and all time greats, no matter where you might rank them. I am basing the idea of "overrated" on what lots of people have for their ranking.

MJ-the #1 GOAT
LBJ-at worst, the #2 GOAT
KAJ-clear top 3 guy, and could easily be the GOAT
Russell-GOAT candidate, top 5 guy
Wilt-GOAT candidate, top 5 guy
Duncan-top 5, JUST outside the GOAT argument
Shaq-top 3 peak ever, to 6 all time
Magic-top offensive player ever, top 5 guy
Bird-clear top 10 guy
Hakeem-clear top 10 guy

I think all of those are fair. Again, this is NOT what you think individually but where most of us have these guys. Assuming these ideas I have after each name is more-or-less true, which is most overrated.

For me, although I LOVE defense, it's Russell. I think he's an all timer for a lot of reasons, but I just don't have him as a GOAT candidate. I understand the rings argument, and love the winning resume, but a title in his time just isn't the same as a later title. His team was stacked and the league was tiny. I have him at the back of my second tier, around #7/8, due to his lack of offense

[Knightfall]

As a Bulls fan I'm hoping they end the Ball run and just move on. I get completely what your saying, but I'm just ready to move on and call it a failure and not expect or depend on him for the future.

[-Sammy-]

Olajuwon is the first guy I'd take out of this top 10, though his two-year peak might be a top-five peak.

[Lalouie]

there's about 2 or 3 that shouldnt be in the convo, HOWEVER there's no other to replace them either.

for instance no way does kd get into this convo

[Lenneth]

They are 10 of my top 12 players as the first and 2nd tier goat players (Kobe and Curry are the other 2), so I think don't think any of them are 'overrated'. If I have to split the hair, I put Hakeem at 12th. But that's about it.

[Ito]

Out that list prolly Magic he was jus an oversized PG, a player playing out of position Kuz he could pass..in this era he would b getting the Ben simmons treatment with ppl talking bout why he ain't shootin the ball more.. maybe Kuz he cant shoot obviously I'm exaggerating but if I had to pick one I would go with him

[LakersLegacy]

You got to look at the lowest amount of championships

Hakeem 2
Wilt 2 championships (4 Finals loses)
Bird 3

[Optms]

Via the media - Bill Russell

On RealGM - Tim Duncan

[cupcakesnake]

The answer to this question is no.

[leolozon]

If overrated means a couple of spots down the list…

I think that Magic and Bird should be in the top 10, but they sometimes feel “overrated”, because they were the best in an era. I think that they can potentially fall off the top 10 rather soon and some people seem to see them as untouchables. Both of them have poor longevity and both of them didn’t peak higher than a guy like Curry in my opinion. They probably didn’t peak higher than Durant. And not higher than Giannis or Jokic (at least RS) Is their peak form for sure top 10 peak of all time? Because the longevity is certainly not top 10.

People have a tendency to give Magic a top 5 spot by default and have Bird soon after and it sometimes feel like it’s also about their aura, their rivalry and what they did for the sport.

[NZB2323]

Out that list prolly Magic he was jus an oversized PG, a player playing out of position Kuz he could pass..in this era he would b getting the Ben simmons treatment with ppl talking bout why he ain't shootin the ball more.. maybe Kuz he cant shoot obviously I'm exaggerating but if I had to pick one I would go with him

In 1990 Magic took 3.5 3s a game and made 38.4%. It’s no surprise he didn’t shoot a lot of 3s early on considering the first time he could shoot a 3 was when he played in the NBA, and as a pass first player he preferred to pass to players like Kareem and Worthy.

If Ben Simmons had Magic’s confidence and drive he’d be effective. He made the all-NBA 3rd team in 2020. Look at how effective Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, Rajon Rondo, Giannis, Lebron, Zion, Ja, Shai, and Jimmy Butler have been despite not being knockdown 3 point shooters.

If anything Magic would be better in today’s pace and space, position-less basketball. Teams might play him at center, and he wouldn’t have to cut his playing career short.

The player whose game would translate the worst to the modern era would be Bill Russell.

[Johnny Tomala]

Magic or Duncan. First one was not better than Wilt and somehow is in some people top 5. Second one was not better than Hakeem and is almost always rankeed higher than him.

[NZB2323]

You got to look at the lowest amount of championships

Hakeem 2
Wilt 2 championships (4 Finals loses)
Bird 3

Compare the supporting cast Hakeem had to everyone else on this list.

[Lockdown504090]

why do this? these guys are all freaking awesome.

[Papi_swav]

Bill Russell. Players wasn't that great when he was playing

[kuclas]

Out that list prolly Magic he was jus an oversized PG, a player playing out of position Kuz he could pass..in this era he would b getting the Ben simmons treatment with ppl talking bout why he ain't shootin the ball more.. maybe Kuz he cant shoot obviously I'm exaggerating but if I had to pick one I would go with him

It’s hard to judge magic Johnson since he had to retire in 1991 at age 32. Clearly he could play another 2-3 more season at a peak level. Considering lakers were 57/58/63 games with magic at the head.

1990-1991 and lost to bulls in nba finals.

But magic could score when he needed. The baby hook. Magic lead lead in free throw shooting. And the last three full years he played. He could shoot 3 pointers pretty well.

So magic paired with aging Kareem with James worthy as 3rd side kick was perfect.

But magic as the alpha lead 1A could lead the team himself. Though they got upset in playoffs the year they won 63 games.

[ReddoverKobe]

Jordan. Its not good enough that hes one of the top three players ever, and probably the goat for some people and instead they treat him as some mythical figure who only played six years, won six title, was on the best team ever but also had no help and excuse all of his actions as a teammate. It reminds me of the kids from sandlot talking about babe ruth.

[MavsDirk41]

For me its Russell but this is nitpicking. I have:

1 Jordan
2 Kareem
3 James
4 Wilt
5 Magic
6 Duncan
7 Bird
8 Russell
9 Shaq
10 Hakeem

[MavsDirk41]

Jordan. Its not good enough that hes one of the top three players ever, and probably the goat for some people and instead they treat him as some mythical figure who only played six years, won six title, was on the best team ever but also had no help and excuse all of his actions as a teammate. It reminds me of the kids from sandlot talking about babe ruth.

Im curious because you always trash Jordan on here but what year did you start watching the nba?

[BostonCouchGM]

give each of these players you have listed in the top 10...Larry Bird's body and athleticism and see how they are. Almost every single one of those players except Magic and Bird, hit the genetic lottery and most of their dominance was predicated on them having a physical and athletic advantage. So essentially most of the centers and Lebron are way overrated and guys like Kobe, West, Havlicek, Oscar and Baylor are underrated because they relied on skill mostly.