RealGM Top 100 List #63

[ElGee]

vote: Penny Hardaway
nominate: David Thompson

Might have some time later to really drive these home in depth, but here's the gist of it...

Thompson has a few low MVP level years in the 70s. That's better than Bernard King (with a weaker peak IMO). But this is a guy who had one of the best rookie seasons in league history (ABA technically - almost winning league MVP). Then he finished 9th, 3rd and 8th in MVP in his first 3 NBA seasons. He had some monster playoff performances and truly was a precursor to the Jordan-type wing player in a mold similar to Dr. J (a smaller mold). Unless you think King is grossly misplaced here, it's hard to see Thompson lagging behind.

As for Penny, I keep wanting to really break down his game and impact because both are highly impressive, also over a small number of years. But I do rank Penny ahead of Grant Hill, because I give Penny a slight nod in peak play. I think he was a more devastating offensive player and because of that a better PS performer giving a slight nod at his best. His 99 and 2000 seasons might also matter to people, because he was particularly good in 2000 (roughly an AS-level player).

BTW, people really need to look at what Penny did in 97. There is tremendous respect for certain unipolar achievements by Kobe and Iverson etc. but Penny missed 23 games in 1997 and when he was out of the lineup his team was worse than Kobe's from 05-07 without him, and when in the lineup his team was better than Kobe's from 05-07 (Kobe also missed 23 games in that stretch). I think if he plays 15 more games he's a top-3 MVP finisher (again).

[Doctor MJ]

Making it formal -

Vote: Bernard King

[penbeast0]

VOTE

Rodman – penbeast0, drza

BKing – ronnymac2, therealbig3, FJS, Doctor MJ, Dr Mufasa

Penny – JordansBulls, ElGee

Thurmond – Laimbeer


NOMINATE

BJones – penbeast0

Schayes – Fencer, Laimbeer, DavidStern, drza

Cunninghame – ronnymac2, Doctor MJ

Kemp – JordansBulls

Worthy – FJS

Carmelo – Dr Mufasa

DThompson -- ElGee