OhayoKD wrote:The disparity in responses between this and the kobe thread are pretty wild. Kobe's case for "not optimized in era" is much stronger.
Would take Giannis and Jokic. Embid theoretically better but needs a healthy postseason. Steph may have a case too. Small slashers should stand out less in today's league. In a league where a near 40-Lebron is harder to stop at the rim than shai or ja statistically, not seeing how people are expecting Wade to improve.Wade's 2008-2009 season was almost on par with LeBron's best RS arguably in a lesser era for offenses to thrive compared to now.
Based on?
That aside, lesser era for offenses isn't meaningful either way inofitself. The point is to stand out from the field, not to up your raw production.
Honestly I don't know what you mean by the small slashers comment. 2008-2009 wade took 581 shots at the rim in 71 games, which is over 7 attempts a game, and he Made 66% of those shots. Thats without the benefit of the spacing today or a great second option scorer/shooters. I could see Wade getting 8 or 9 attempts at the rim, maybe more, and he'd get to the free throw line even more. Wade was also a legit 6'4" 225 while running a 4.4 and having MJ-esque body control. He was an overwhelming force against defenses even when they were set. He wasn't someone who was trying to scurry around people and had to compensate for a lack of size or force — he was the force, and he destroyed.
Wade would be at worst a top 5 player. Gimmie Jokic and Giannis over him (maybe) and thats it. Embiid if he finally carries over to the finals. Luka is probably as good, but Wade has defense. Steph is just older. SGA? Gimmie wade.