Which seasons of Kareem would you take over Peak Russell?

[Matt15]

Title

[No-more-rings]

That’s hard to assess. I find it hard to assess Kareem’s best years, he had a few years where he wasn’t so good in the playoffs and a few where his team didn’t make it there so we don’t know how he’d do. Are the 78-80 years clearly below 77? I imagine i’d take at least 5 or 6 years of his when push comes to shove. 74 and 77 are the only ones i’m sure about though.

[Narigo]

71, 74 76-77 maybe 80

[homecourtloss]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=2127860

Good stuff here.

[HeartBreakKid]

None. I think Bill was a more impactful player than Kareem by a tad.

[Hook_Em]

Every season that Kareem could put the ball in the cup at above average efficiency.

[70sFan]

Only 1977 and 1974. 1971 and 1972 are somehow close as well, but Russell had more complete seasons in his career. Of course I understand if anyone has peak Russell over peak Kareem.

[70sFan]

Every season that Kareem could put the ball in the cup at above average efficiency.

That's not very reasonable take, especially since peak Russell could give you 22 ppg on +4 rTS% in postseason.

[70sFan]

That’s hard to assess. I find it hard to assess Kareem’s best years, he had a few years where he wasn’t so good in the playoffs and a few where his team didn’t make it there so we don’t know how he’d do. Are the 78-80 years clearly below 77? I imagine i’d take at least 5 or 6 years of his when push comes to shove. 74 and 77 are the only ones i’m sure about though.

I think we have enough games from 1977-80 period to conclude that there was a clear decline in that period. He was still close to his peak level in 1978, but of course he missed a lot of games and played 3 rounder in the playoffs. Then his defense took a significant dip in 1979. He started to look like 1980s Jabbar on that end from this season. Of course, he was still excellent rim protector and good all-around defender, but he lost quickness and his timing became noticeably worse. He became physically less intimidating on both ends of the floor, though his offfense wasn't influenced nearly as much, as his skillset reached its peak in the late 1970s.

In short: Kareem quickness and motor got considerably worse in 1979, which made him less of a two-way army he used to be.

On per game basis:

1977 > 1978 > 1979=1980

Kareem was better overall in 1971-76 period than in 1979 as well, even if he didn't have as many moves on offense. Defensive gap can't be understated.

[feyki]

70/74, 76/77.