Post#1622 » by DingleJerry » Wed May 13, 2020 9:49 pm
The Oscar thing has to be a joke right? It's tough to rank current players but I get wanting to get Giannis on the list somewhere as you see what's coming. Like remember when Shaq was put on the all 50 year team in his like 3-4th year or whenever it was.
The longevity vs peak ability thing is tough too and no clear answer. Like if you're gonna go on career total contributions chances are you can't not have LBJ #1. Sorry, MJ basically cut out 2 prime years and 2-3 more near prime years and didn't play at all. By the end barring injury LBJ will be #1 in pts, top 3-4 in assists, I'd guess top 25-15ish in rebounds depending on when he quits. With at least 3 titles, MVPs and clearly being the best player in the world for 15 years straight, at least.
Getting out of the MJ/LBJ wormhole on that topic though another is Bird. I think this and CBS had him 8. Due to starting late and ending early he had a short window, so how do you rank him. If I'm picking best player at their peak I probably put him #3 after the obvious 2. But, factor in the longevity and I don't think its wrong to drop him. Though I'd still have him over Magic in that debate, basically equally shortened careers but I just think Bird was better since MAgic couldn't really shoot. Another tough thing to factor is what rules, now or 30-40 years ago. Guys like Wilt/KAJ vault ahead of of guys like Bird/Magic more easily then. Play now though and a shooter like Bird has incredible value.
Resident Lillard truther since 2015.