Who has the best "bag" of the 2000's?

[penbeast0]

I was a post player and had a basic go to hook that was reliable out to the foul line, a couple of counters with a decent drop step and a step back. I could see having a bag of tricks (and I have nothing against the term; just the way people were talking about it as degree of difficulty shots and moves) that goes 5 or 6 counters deep and I was far from a professional. So, no, I'm good with the concept, just not with the idea that the bag ignores fundamental and simple moves in favor of lower percentage moves. A post player like Kevin McHale for example had a nice bag of tricks for me.

[VanWest82]

This isn't even a debate. It's easily Kyrie. Steph is second imo. I don't know any serious basketball player that doesn't marvel at Kyrie's level of skill with the ball. It's just unprecedented.

[ChartFiction]

Kyrie. I hadn't even realized until recently how great of a 3 point shooter he was because of how much he excels in everything else. Averages nearly 40% from 3 for his career on good volume.

Have never seen him struggle against a defender regardless of their build or traits. Creative ways to get a basket. Can play in high pace fast breaks or slow half court sets. Capable of moving off the ball. Consistent performance throughout various contexts. Rarely see him do low-effort high variance plays (just random chucking). Doesn't rely on a fast first step or other athletic gifts to break down the defense. Despite a lot of creative ball handling, he rarely has any turnovers.

[henshao]

I would argue "bag" is ultimately either a magic or golf metaphor



As far as guys from this century who had the most in their bag of tricks, the guy who comes to mind for me first was TMac. In any given half-court situation a fresh Tmac in his prime had about 90 different options it seemed

[MyUniBroDavis]

This isn't even a debate. It's easily Kyrie. Steph is second imo. I don't know any serious basketball player that doesn't marvel at Kyrie's level of skill with the ball. It's just unprecedented.

No way Steph is second lol

[MiamiBulls]

Kyrie. I hadn't even realized until recently how great of a 3 point shooter he was because of how much he excels in everything else. Averages nearly 40% from 3 for his career on good volume.

Have never seen him struggle against a defender regardless of their build or traits. Creative ways to get a basket. Can play in high pace fast breaks or slow half court sets. Capable of moving off the ball. Consistent performance throughout various contexts. Rarely see him do low-effort high variance plays (just random chucking). Doesn't rely on a fast first step or other athletic gifts to break down the defense. Despite a lot of creative ball handling, he rarely has any turnovers.

I was completely done with the Kyrie "bag talk" in 2019 Playoffs. His bag is only effective when he isn't the no.1 priority on an opposing team's defensive scouting report.

[tsherkin]

I was a post player and had a basic go to hook that was reliable out to the foul line, a couple of counters with a decent drop step and a step back. I could see having a bag of tricks (and I have nothing against the term; just the way people were talking about it as degree of difficulty shots and moves) that goes 5 or 6 counters deep and I was far from a professional. So, no, I'm good with the concept, just not with the idea that the bag ignores fundamental and simple moves in favor of lower percentage moves. A post player like Kevin McHale for example had a nice bag of tricks for me.

Kevin McHale had decent variety, but like...

Catch-and-shoot jumper. Up and under. Baseline spin. Middle hook. Turn into lane and fade.

He actually didn't exhibit a huge variety of moves on a regular basis. He was just extremely good at reading which move was correct in the moment, and going to his counter when the defender thought he knew what was up. He was a very savvy player. And quite proficient as a finisher.

[Heej]

I take it as who has the best assortment of moves and counters. To that I say it's Kyrie's world and we're all living in it. As far as effectiveness goes lmao maybe it's Joker honestly

[GSP]

Why on earth is Timmy in the poll????

Timmy Hardaway????

[Gooner]

So basically the "bag" is (among other things) who takes the most bad shots rather than working to get a good one?

Probably the flashy stuff, I guess. The unnecessary dribbles, breadth of post moves, etc. And yeah, maybe ways to get contested looks. Most guys have some go-to moves and spots and then a basic catalog of dribble attacks. Someone like Kyrie obviously has a deeper library of effective dribble moves, but lags behind in shot selection and finishing touch compared to others. Kobe and Melo both used a lot of moves, but much of the time that wasnt actually super wise. Kobe is maybe a poor inclusion there because he was, in fact, the most effective isolation scorer of his era, if memory serves. Im thinking more of him overisolating and making poor choices from 3. His triple threat and live dribble attack were great. Off ball, as well.

How does Kyrie lack in shot selection when he is a member of the 50-40-90 club and very consistent with his percentages on year to year basis. And his finishing touch is second to none, with both hands.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Why on earth is Timmy in the poll????

Timmy Hardaway????

Bro has a crossover named after him lol

[GSP]

Nash should be in poll he got a deeper bag than most of em

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shieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet he has a strong case for 3rd behind Kyrie and Kobe

Runners, push shots, floaters, bankers, fades, turnarounds, one legged jumpers..........he just didnt have a postup bag but thats b/c of a strength deficit he prolly even has post moves that we havent seen or hes shown against weaker defenders no player has used push shot better and the bag he had as a 6'2 white guard with limited conventional athleticism in every way...........outstanding