Who do you build around in 2022 - Walton or Kareem?

[ceiling raiser]

Assume the following:

• Both will be in the league together and will be playoff adversaries for years to come
• In addition, both will also be dealing with big men like Jokic, Embiid, Nurkic, Ayton, Giannis
• Both are healthier than OTL due to advances in training and medicine (Walton probably won't play as many games as Kareem, but will still play high 50s/low 60s games, in the Embiid/Shaq range)
• Both are drafted after one year in college (assume they have the same technical abilities they would have had after one year at a school with similar structure to UCLA's program)
• Both probably will still have contentious relationships with the first team that drafts them, and will probably leave for bigger markets after their first contracts
• Neither develops a three, but both are comfortable playing in space and passing to shooters who are getting open for threes

I assume it will still be mostly Kareem, but maybe not unanimously so.

Thoughts?

[Blazers-1977]

I could see Walton being a better version of Jokic if he played today and Kareem a better version of Embiid . So it would depend on who their supporting cast is

[Doctor MJ]

I think 2022 would help Walton more than Kareem. I think an almost-Jokic on offense with DPOY-level defense is a scary thought.

[70sFan]

Kareem, he's my GOAT and I don't think he'd lose much value today.

[70sFan]

I think 2022 would help Walton more than Kareem. I think an almost-Jokic on offense with DPOY-level defense is a scary thought.

I don't see Walton approaching Jokic level on offense. I also don't see him having the same problems defensively. To be honest, I don't see the comparison, other than they are both amazing passers.

[Doctor MJ]

I think 2022 would help Walton more than Kareem. I think an almost-Jokic on offense with DPOY-level defense is a scary thought.

I don't see Walton approaching Jokic level on offense. I also don't see him having the same problems defensively. To be honest, I don't see the comparison, other than they are both amazing passers.

In both cases I'd expect to make use of their playmaking and the cutting & shooting of the players around them. This is not something I'd be looking to do with many bigs.

[prolific passer]

Walton was what in his prime? And 18 14 3-5apg center with great defense. He was pretty much the Tim Duncan of his day.
Idk if he could take over a game offensively like Kareem was capable of. I mean Bucks Kareem was a monster in all facets.

[70sFan]

I think 2022 would help Walton more than Kareem. I think an almost-Jokic on offense with DPOY-level defense is a scary thought.

I don't see Walton approaching Jokic level on offense. I also don't see him having the same problems defensively. To be honest, I don't see the comparison, other than they are both amazing passers.

In both cases I'd expect to make use of their playmaking and the cutting & shooting of the players around them. This is not something I'd be looking to do with many bigs.

Yeah, that's fair. I'd like to see how Walton would do in Jokic's place offensively.

[prolific passer]

I don't see Walton approaching Jokic level on offense. I also don't see him having the same problems defensively. To be honest, I don't see the comparison, other than they are both amazing passers.

In both cases I'd expect to make use of their playmaking and the cutting & shooting of the players around them. This is not something I'd be looking to do with many bigs.

Yeah, that's fair. I'd like to see how Walton would do in Jokic's place offensively.

I dont think Walton would put up the scoring and assist numbers that Jokic has been putting up the last few years but his defense and rebounding would make up for that which Jokic was not on par with Walton. Especially the defense.

[kcktiny]

Walton or Alcindor/Jabbar? Not a fair comparison, even playing today.

Jabbar is arguably the greatest player the league has ever seen. Most today only remember him on the Lakers, but when with Milwaukee he was constantly being compared with Chamberlain and Russell, with many saying he was the best ever. Won a title in just his second season in the league, was league MVP in just his second and third seasons in the league, and was MVP four more times.

This is a player that in 6 years with the Bucks averaged 30+ pts/g, shot a high percentage, 15+ reb/g, 4+ ast/g, played 43 min/g, and missed very few games. The words most used to describe his offensive game back then were "unstoppable" and "automatic".

He is also one of the greatest defensive players to have ever played in the league. All-Defensive team 11 times, all-D 1st team 5 times, 3 of those coming when he was in his early 30s.

I'm sure some will try to argue Walton at his peak was as good defensively as Jabbar, with merit. But the gap on offense was absolutely huge - with one being quite possibly the greatest offensive player the league has ever seen.

[Jaivl]

Like Kareem needs more longevity.

I obviously take him, not even particularly close IMO. You'd need to transform Walton into an ironman to even begin to make an argument, Embiid health is not close to enough.

Also, not sure Walton is that much more than a peak Marc Gasol on offense.

[xb3at band1tx]

Yeah going with Kareem.

With modern medicine he might play close to 30 years lmao