50 Greatest NBA Players Argument, If you could put on 10-15players, who would u

What Players would you pick? Your Answer will be Public


  • Total voters
    92
It is obvious that some of you guys know nothing about Basketball.The only player that didn't deserved a spot on the 50 greatest at the time was Shaq.All the other 49 players are reputable.
 
also, if dennis rodman didnt have all the off the court incidents and all...i think he would be on the list too.....he had his weird personalities and all..but he was truly a great player...terrific rebounder, and in his earlier years could get you 15-17 pts a game.....
 
Kobe belongs, but Dominik doesn't. Bernard King was damn good but can't be put on either. I don't know how old you are but the Kansas City King Tiny Archibald was tough. He led the NBA in scoring and assists in the same season! Rick Barry was also tough, 50 points back to back three different times.

I love Michael Jordan and he was incredible but David Stern recognized how he could manipulate the rules to help MJ so he eliminated the hard foul and hand checking just to exploit Mike's skills and that elevated him to God status with the endorsements and everything. The NBA constantly changed the rules to hurt Wilt because he was unstoppable. The only reason there is an argument is because Wilt was weird and had to play every year against the Celtics who had 15 hall of famers so he doesn't have 5,6,7 rings. Check the numbers, Wilt has to be the greatest player ever. And don't give me that he was the tallest player and that's why he dominated. First, there were only 9 teams then and every other center was a hall of famer including many of the people on the list above, Willis Reed, Bill Russell, Walt Bellamy. Second, if the tall theory was true then the Shawn Bradley, George Muresan, and Manute Bols of the world would have dominated when they played. Again, I love Mike and his will to win but he was enhanced by David Stern's vision. It is that same vision that added the zone defense and a shorter three point shot so that white foreign players could play in the NBA so that the league could go global. By the way you could argue that Kareem with his six titles and six MVPs and the most unstoppable shot ever is second.

As for players that don't belong on the list Debusscher was just a shooter so you could take him off, plus he was the fourth option on the Knicks. Same with Bill Sharman when he was with the Celts. If Scottie Pippen wasn't the greatest defender ever he would have to be taken off because he had a lot of bitch in him, sitting out games and not going in cause the play wasn't drawn up for him.

And as for A.I. you gotta love him because he has an incredible will to play hard but his lack of knowledge of the team game hurts. I played a high level of ball in Philly and know a lot of pros including Aaron Mckie who is one of A.I.'s best friends and he says that its hard to play with A.I. because they have to cover for his mistakes constantly. There's no way I could put him on the list.

Come on man you cant be serious about stern making it easy for MJ. He may have exploited him in other ways but you cannot take away from that mans game. Don't forget about the hand-check and the hard fouls. Nowadays you can't even close-line a man in mid air without getting five game suspension. :D
 
Come on man you cant be serious about stern making it easy for MJ. He may have exploited him in other ways but you cannot take away from that mans game. Don't forget about the hand-check and the hard fouls. Nowadays you can't even close-line a man in mid air without getting five game suspension. :D

i agree and disagree...i think the refs and stern went a lil easy on mike....but at the same time, mike was everything you would want him to be. could play d, could score , could do it all......re invented the fade away when he got a lil older. he was an iconic figure......

im pissed at him because he broke up w/ juanita, and when the fuck is he gonna release those damn Jordan 11's SHIT................
 
I would add just...Kobe Bryant....A.I...Dominik Wilkins.

No one else have been consistent enough to make that list just yet.

i would take rick barry's sorry ass off the list. I would also take off Nate Archibald and place him as Basketball's ten most important people instead of players. Take Mike Jordan off the list also and put him as the games greatest player.


You put AI in before Duncan and Kidd. LOL Now this is funny
 
It is obvious that some of you guys know nothing about Basketball.The only player that didn't deserved a spot on the 50 greatest at the time was Shaq.All the other 49 players are reputable.

I agree with you. I'll tell you how Shaq made the list. Notice they have 20 guards, 20 forwards and 10 centers. To me it looks like they sticked to a format. So shaq was forced to be on the list. I'm surprised no one else picked that up. It's just my theory though. The 50th spot should have went to Mo Cheeks or Nique.
 
It is obvious that some of you guys know nothing about Basketball.The only player that didn't deserved a spot on the 50 greatest at the time was Shaq.All the other 49 players are reputable.


Robert Parish?

At what point in his career was he even one of the top three centers during his time?
 
True, but he led the league in two catagories (one offensive, one defensive) for multiple years..so if Stockton is there, then a case can be made for A.I.

True, and the offensive category was scoring so maybe I do have to rethink my answer and put him in the top 50. I just saw how much better the Sixers were without him.
 
Well lets not compare Iversons defense to Stocktons defense.... Stockton in his prime was clearly a better defender, and Stockton had one 6'9 256 lb mofo to back him up (Assist wise)....
 
WHO WOULD YOU TAKE OFF

THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS IN NBA HISTORY

Here is the Startup List

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Nate Archibald

Paul Arizin

Charles Barkley

Rick Barry

Elgin Baylor

Dave Bing

Larry Bird

Wilt Chamberlain

Bob Cousy

Dave Cowens

Billy Cunningham

Dave DeBusschere

Clyde Drexler

Julius Erving

Patrick Ewing

Walt Frazier

George Gervin

Hal Greer

John Havlicek

Elvin Hayes

Magic Johnson

Sam Jones

Michael Jordan

Jerry Lucas

Karl Malone
Moses Malone

Pete Maravich

Kevin McHale

George Mikan

Earl Monroe

Hakeem Olajuwon

Shaquille O'Neal

Robert Parish

Bob Pettit

Scottie Pippen

Willis Reed

Oscar Robertson

David Robinson

Bill Russell

Dolph Schayes

Bill Sharman

John Stockton

Isiah Thomas

Nate Thurmond

Wes Unseld

Bill Walton

Jerry West

Lenny Wilkens

James Worthy

:yes:
 
So Far its

Kobe Bryant
Tim Duncan
Dominique Wilkins
Reggie Miller?????
Garnett/Iverson......


I guess Kidd and Payton both Offensive and Defensive Juggernauts would not make it......
 
Well lets not compare Iversons defense to Stocktons defense.... Stockton in his prime was clearly a better defender, and Stockton had one 6'9 256 lb mofo to back him up (Assist wise)....

All Stockton did was funnel his man to Eaton (who was up there in blocked shots) or whatever big man they had. He got the majority of his steals by coming from the weak side and picking the pocket of the man Karl Malone was guarding.

Iverson was not the "rip you straight up" type of defender like he was in college, he is more active by playing passing lanes.
 
When the actual list came out in '96, Shaq hadn’t accomplished anything. All he did was break backboards at that time.

:lol:

some of y'all got me LMMFAO over here.

20+/10+ ROY?

turning a losing EXPANSION franchise into a .500 club his ROOKIE season?

turning a losing EXPANSION franchise into a 50 and 60 game winner in each of the following seasons?

leading a losing EXPANSION franchise into a CONSECUTIVE playoffs team?

:lol: "all he did was break backboards"

:smh:
 
Bill Walton spent the majority of his career injured and he wasn't the player in the NBA that he was at UCLA

the fact of the matter is, bill walton wasn't shit until maurice lucas came along.

bill walton making this list and the HOF (the same year as julius erving) was a travesty.
 
:lol:

some of y'all got me LMMFAO over here.

20+/10+ ROY?

turning a losing EXPANSION franchise into a .500 club his ROOKIE season?

turning a losing EXPANSION franchise into a 50 and 60 game winner in each of the following seasons?

leading a losing EXPANSION franchise into a CONSECUTIVE playoffs team?

:lol: "all he did was break backboards"

:smh:


He also took them to the Finals...against Houston...:yes:
 
Robert Parish?

At what point in his career was he even one of the top three centers during his time?

This is where your ignorance kicks in.It is not even about being in the top three during his time.Parish played in an ERA when the league had GREAT centers so being in the top 4 or 5 was still considered great.You couldn't even win a championship without a good center piece.He was an integral part of that trio(Bird,Mchale,Parish) in Boston.He matched up with the best and did well during the regular seasons and final appearances.They guy was strong,agile and he had endurance,how much centers in NBA history possess all those qualities?His present and role lifted that trio to be one of the best in NBA history.He played the most NBA games.It would be a slap in the face if Parish wasn't selected.
 
This is where your ignorance kicks in.It is not even about being in the top three during his time.Parish played in an ERA when the league had GREAT centers so being in the top 4 or 5 was still considered great.You couldn't even win a championship without a good center piece.He was an integral part of that trio(Bird,Mchale,Parish) in Boston.He matched up with the best and did well during the regular seasons and final appearances.They guy was strong,agile and he had endurance,how much centers in NBA history possess all those qualities?His present and role lifted that trio to be one of the best in NBA history.He played the most NBA games.It would be a slap in the face if Parish wasn't selected.


So even though he was going to be a average player at Golden State, and going to Boston with two other stars and Dennis Johnson saved his career...and even though he was never even one of the top three centers in the league during his career...he was one of the top players of all time :hmm:

Replace Robert Parrish with Artis Gilmore, would Boston not have been as good? Hell, they probably would have won more.

And when the fuck did good, become one of the 50 greats :hmm:

What kind of shit are you smoking :smh:

You consider Bob Lanier one of the top 50 of all time? And it's not even like he upped his play during the playoffs.
 
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i think you guys saying nique shouldn't be on the list are blinded by his dunking and scoring skills by saying he was one dimensional. he was also a decent rebounder, and he shot a decent percent from the field and beyond the three point arch. unlike most of the people on the list, nique never had a true second option to help him out. yet he still brought atlanta to playoffs 8 times on his back between 82-93. this is during the bird, jordan, and pistons reign in the east. most of those eastern conference champs had to go through nique to get to finals, and nique lit them all up.

if it wasn't for bird and the celtics, wilkins might of had a couple rings. we all see how hard it is for kobe to carry the lakers by himself, and he got lamar odom. paul pierce who has a similar style to nique minus the dunking can't even get his team over .500 in a weak eastern conference. back in 80 early 90's, the eastern conference was extremely competitive.

i think you need to take all of these factors into consideration when you make this list.
 
Replace Robert Parrish with Artis Gilmore, would Boston not have been as good? Hell, they probably would have won more.

:smh:

as good a player as a-train was, you're wrong.

robert parrish had more range, was a better passer, and most of all, he was more mobile and quicker up the floor.
 
So even though he was going to be a average player at Golden State, and going to Boston with two other stars and Dennis Johnson saved his career...and even though he was never even one of the top three centers in the league during his career...he was one of the top players of all time :hmm:

Replace Robert Parrish with Artis Gilmore, would Boston not have been as good? Hell, they probably would have won more.

And when the fuck did good, become one of the 50 greats :hmm:

What kind of shit are you smoking
:smh:

:lol: I should ask you the same thing.What kind of garbage that you just typed?

Dennis Johnson saved whose career?
Adding Artis Gilmore would have won Boston more championship,says who? :lol:
We will never know since it never happened so your argument is DEAD.
And how many times we see great addition to teams end up in disasters.

Maybe we should start question who was Scottie Pippen without Jordan then since you are questioning Parish's talent?
You are drawing parallel that makes no sense in terms of choosing the 50 greatest.A retard probably have less incoherentness in his posts.Go read a book and be quiet.
 
i think you guys saying nique shouldn't be on the list are blinded by his dunking and scoring skills by saying he was one dimensional. he was also a decent rebounder, and he shot a decent percent from the field and beyond the three point arch.

they wouldn't be completely incorrect, as that reputation was earned.

it's not as if dominique wilkins had a strong overall game to begin with. his game evolved, especially the deep outside range (similar to the way earvin johnson added a deep threat).

in fact, as late as 1990 (still during dominique wilkins' most productive seasons) the scouting reports (and league veterans) always made sure to point out that dominique wilkins' was a one dimensional player.
 
You know what, it's always difficult when comparing two or more eras. Its no way you can transfer feelings like emotions to a place you only read about to a place you live in. There are so much factors to consider, especially when trying to compare extremes from different eras. In my book MJ is the best player ever, but don't a bump younging for rooting for KOBE.

Some off you have made good points about Tim Duncan being in top 50 before AI. Okay now, why not K.G. instead of Tim Duncan?
 
In my book MJ is the best player ever, but don't a bump younging for rooting for KOBE.

the notion of including someone like tobe onto a "50 greatest" list is what impeaches your credibility.

how could any reasonable person suggest tobe when the FACTS speak for themselves:

during the shaquille o'neal era, the fakers w/l percentage in games w/o tobe was better than w/l percentage in games w/tobe.

during the shaquille o'neal era, the fakers LOST more games w/tobe as a starter than they did when he didn't start.

moreover, shouldn't some consideration be given to limiting the list to players who were good TEAMMATES, and promoted a positive image for their TEAM and the LEAGUE?
 
the fact of the matter is, bill walton wasn't shit until maurice lucas came along.

bill walton making this list and the HOF (the same year as julius erving) was a travesty.

Bill was always hurt but when he played he was just as great as any other big guy in the league before and after Maurice Lucas.
 
So even though he was going to be a average player at Golden State, and going to Boston with two other stars and Dennis Johnson saved his career...and even though he was never even one of the top three centers in the league during his career...he was one of the top players of all time :hmm:

Replace Robert Parrish with Artis Gilmore, would Boston not have been as good? Hell, they probably would have won more.

And when the fuck did good, become one of the 50 greats :hmm:

What kind of shit are you smoking :smh:

You consider Bob Lanier one of the top 50 of all time? And it's not even like he upped his play during the playoffs.

Robert Parrish was way better than Artis Gilmore. He is the one third option who belongs in the top 50 his turnaround jumper was almost as unblockable as Kareem's Sky Hook. He also defended and was wirey strong. Plus he smoked a couple of L's before every game. No question he belongs
 
:lol: I should ask you the same thing.What kind of garbage that you just typed?

Dennis Johnson saved whose career?
Adding Artis Gilmore would have won Boston more championship,says who? :lol:
We will never know since it never happened so your argument is DEAD.
And how many times we see great addition to teams end up in disasters.

Maybe we should start question who was Scottie Pippen without Jordan then since you are questioning Parish's talent?
You are drawing parallel that makes no sense in terms of choosing the 50 greatest.A retard probably have less incoherentness in his posts.Go read a book and be quiet.

The reason Parrish can be considered one of the best all-time while not being one of the top three of his time is because the ones in-front of him were Kareem, Moses, Hakeem, Lanier and Ewing. All of those are on the list.
 
:smh:

as good a player as a-train was, you're wrong.

robert parrish had more range, was a better passer, and most of all, he was more mobile and quicker up the floor.

And Artis was a better rebounder and defender. He would caused more of a physical mismatch for the Lakers and matched up with Moses better.

Artis was just as mobile in his younger days.
 
when he played he was just as great as any other big guy in the league before and after Maurice Lucas.

i call bullshit.

bill walton was NEVER a 20/10 man his ENTIRE career.

his rookie season, the trailblazers were a LOSING team and NO playoffs.

his second season, the trailblazers were a LOSING team and NO playoffs.

what happened when the trailblazers added maurice lucas in bill walton's third season?

the trailblazers were a WINNING team and WON a championship.

BTW, maurice lucas was a 20/10 man in both the ABA and NBA.

:yes:
 
I knew it was coming Cranrab........ Kobe is definitely one of the 10-15 most exciting players ever if you put Dominique, Reggie Miller, and Scottie Pippen on the list than Kobe Deserves it too. Kobes is much more gifted than about 15 - 20 of the players on the list. Does that translate into winning attitude? Possibly not. I think Kobe is one of the greatest individual talents ever in the NBA.... but it may not translate into nothing but the Three rings he already has
 
I can't knock the older cats like Arzin...just cause I didn't see him.
But Walton is there because the powers that be want him there.
I don't believe his career was long enough to be on it...at least his top-level career.

Alex English and Adrian Dantley are more deserving...








Man you lost your damn mind. If it was not for injurys, Bill would had ben the best center in history
 
I can't knock the older cats like Arzin...just cause I didn't see him.
But Walton is there because the powers that be want him there.
I don't believe his career was long enough to be on it...at least his top-level career.

Alex English and Adrian Dantley are more deserving...

I'm not a huge Bill Walton fan, (his announcing sucks) but any true basketball fan respects his talent and abiltiy. Anybody that can shoot 21-22 in an championship game (NCAA) is a gamer. Sure his career was hampered and cut short by injury, but dude has 2 rings, a regular season and a Finals MVP trophy, and a 6th man of the year award, and averaged 13ppg, 10rpg, 3.4apg, and 2.2bpg over 10 years of play. That's right up there with Russell, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabar, Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, Shaq, and Duncan. What else do you want from the man. He makes the cut whether you consider career achievements or ability.
 
Man you lost your damn mind. If it was not for injurys, Bill would had ben the best center in history

in what history?

best center in college basketball history? UCLA history? hell no.

on top of that, you had to add the qualification of IF not for injury. that's the same shit i hear people say about bobby hurley and IF he hadn't had the car accident.

bullshit.
 
any true basketball fan respects his talent and abiltiy. Anybody that can shoot 21-22 in an championship game (NCAA) is a gamer.

bill walton deserves a measure of respect for what he contributed to the sport, but he doesn't deserve the inordinate amount of respect people lay at his feet BY DEFAULT.

Sure his career was hampered and cut short by injury, but dude has 2 rings,

1 riding the coat-tails of maurice lucas, and the other as a legit sub (named 6th MOY) on an impressive boston celtics squad.

a regular season and a Finals MVP trophy

that regular season MVP is tainted. the only reason bill walton got that MVP was because nobody wanted to see kareem abdul jabbar get 3 in a row.

bill walton had a better (and longer) regular season the year BEFORE he won MVP.

What else do you want from the man. He makes the cut whether you consider career achievements or ability.

bullshit.
 
in what history?

best center in college basketball history? UCLA history? hell no.

on top of that, you had to add the qualification of IF not for injury. that's the same shit i hear people say about bobby hurley and IF he hadn't had the car accident.

bullshit.

After Kareem, Walton was the best college player ever. He led the UCLA team to three straight championships and shot a stupid 80% from the field. You can't put him in the same sentence with Bobby Hurley. Like I said earlier his antics behind the mic take away from his ball accomplishments. He was tall, smart and talented. Just had brittle feet and now acts like an asshole.
 
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