2nd Best Player Ever

[squareinthecircle]

I would say either Kareem, Magic, or Bird.

Same here, and among those three they are 1) Kareem, 2) Bird, and 3) Magic. I voted Kareem.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

I voted for...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxBM3dTPc_k

Magic won 5 NBA championships, 3 NBA MVP's, and a Finals MVP as a ROOKIE (something not even MJ did). I believe he made his team better in a way the league had never seen before; he has history's greatest career assist average (11.2 per) and was arguably the greatest vocal leader ever. In my opinion, his style of play and the Showtime Lakers brought national attention to the NBA like it had never seen before. He was one of the most versatile and exciting players to ever watch...and yeah, he won. A lot.

You are aware of why Magic may have had the greatest career average right?

 

[One Brow]

I wouldn't put Jordan ahead of Chaimberlain or Ruissell.

 

[Hotdog]

Wow. I'm stunned I was the only one to pick Kobe. I would listen to a Magic argument, but not much else.

I know we all hate Kobe, but c'mon!!! SERIOUSLY???

 

[YB85]

Kareem

 

[colton]

I voted Wilt, seems obvious to me.

Others I can see arguments for: Magic, Kobe, and Oscar.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

I wouldn't put Jordan ahead of Chaimberlain or Ruissell.

Holy God, you're a moran. Chamberlain was a ****ing selfish loser.

 

[One Brow]

Holy God, you're a moran. Chamberlain was a ****ing selfish loser.

He won two titles. He led the league in assists once. You'll have trouble convincing me Chaimberlain was more selfish than Jordan.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

He won two titles. He led the league in assists once. You'll have trouble convincing me Chaimberlain was more selfish than Jordan.

Yeah, Jordan was so selfish that he won six rings and helped elevate the play of his teammates. Wilt, who was so ****ing great, won a whopping two and did nothing to truly make those around him better. I'm going to guess that you've never read anything about him as a player though.

 

[Getting Traded]

No way, Kareem. It really depends how you rate them when they were at the top of their game. Heck, Walton was better in peak years than Kareem; even John Wooden said so. The problem was that Walton had injuries that shortened his career and prevented him from reaching his potential, much like Mickey Mantle. Chamberlain in his last year outplayed Kareem in the NBA finals, and Hakeem regularly ate Kareem for breakfast. Kareem was not quick enough to guard Hakeem. Chamberlain's problem was that Russell usually had a better supporting cast, except that one magical Sixer year in 1967. But the Celts beat them the next year.

If you go by peak years, I would take Bird over Magic for second. From 1984-1986, Bird was MVP. It was in 1987 that he developed the bone spurs on his heels that led to his back problem and a premature end to his career. But even with the heel and back problems Bird was an All-Star who could raise his level of play to dominate games.

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

No way, Kareem. It really depends how you rate them when they were at the top of their game. Heck, Walton was better in peak years than Kareem; even John Wooden said so. The problem was that Walton had injuries that shortened his career and prevented him from reaching his potential, much like Mickey Mantle.

Uhhh what? Kareem KILLS Bill Walton. Take Walton's peak years. Age 22-25. 18ppg 14rpg. Very good numbers.

Take Kareem's peak years. Age 22-33 11 years! Averages regularly over 30ppg and 15ish rpg. At least 3 blocks. Wins SIX league MVPs.

Wooden must have lost his damn mind about that comment. Hell in the first meeting head to head Kareem put 50/15 on Walton's 7/6.

Chamberlain in his last year outplayed Kareem in the NBA finals

Reg. season (head-to-head)
Abdul-Jabbar: 31.8 PPG, 15.8 RPG Chamberlain: 16.3 PPG, 17.6 RPG
Postseason (head-to-head)
Abdul-Jabbar: 29.7 PPG, 17.9 RPG Chamberlain: 15.9 PPG, 19.1 RPG

Hakeem regularly ate Kareem for breakfast. Kareem was not quick enough to guard Hakeem.

Regular Season
Player G W L GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 23 18 5 18 24.3 9.4 15.5 .607 0.0 0.0 3.7 4.8 .782 2.1 4.3 6.6 1.9 0.6 1.4 2.6 2.9 22.5
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 5 18 18 29.9 9.0 17.7 .510 0.0 0.0 4.3 7.3 .599 4.7 7.1 11.9 2.6 2.8 2.7 2.7 4.3 22.3

And if you look at the early head to head match ups Kareem put 30 or more on Hakeem 7 times.

 

[Getting Traded]

Wooden was talking about college. Again, you're basing your beliefs on the numbers? Did you see these guys play against each other from 1976-78 when Walton was the league's best all-around player? He was MVP in 1978.

What made Walton so good was his all-around team play, fantastic passer. He was like Bird in the sense that he made his teammates around him better. He wasn't about getting lots of points and putting up great stats. He was about winning.

About Chamberlain and Jabbar. Did you see the finals series. Chamberlain was well past his prime, yet who won -- the Lakers. Why because Chamberlain dominated on the boards. Statistics be damned. You need to see games to make an accurate appraisal. I saw them on TV, these matchups I'm describing.