“He basically hasn’t won anything significant, and even his individual numbers (27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 2.4 assists) haven’t been that extraordinary,” said Cousy, who was on the selection panel and did not vote for O’Neal.
Between Nique, English, Bernard King and Adrian Dantley, the NBA left off four of its all-time scorers, a quartet of Eighties Guys with zero rings between them. Joe Dumars, a rational Top 50 candidate then and now, was given comparatively more national support 25 years ago.
it cost Bob a spot on the Top 50 list in spite of 14 NBA campaigns at 22.1 points per game (irrelevant but Admiral ended up with 21.1 after his 14 seasons). McAdoo won an MVP award, two rings, four scoring titles, hit seven seasons of double-figure rebounds. Bob annoyed each of his teams’ home crowds, offending thousands of boomers at a time, more points for Bob.
Bob Lanier made eight All-Star teams, also in 14 sturdy seasons. The voters were absolutely far too concerned with pace when considering Shaq and Robinson.
Alright, here's something controversial... no Lebron James for me
1. Michael Jordan
2. Larry Bird
3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
4. Bill Russell
5. Wilt Chamberlain
6. Hakeem Olajuwon
7. Steph Curry
8. Tim Duncan
9. Kobe Bryant
10. Magic Johnson
Alright, here's something controversial... no Lebron James for me
1. Michael Jordan
2. Larry Bird
3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
4. Bill Russell
5. Wilt Chamberlain
6. Hakeem Olajuwon
7. Steph Curry
8. Tim Duncan
9. Kobe Bryant
10. Magic Johnson
I have a huge opinion of Larry Bird as a player. 3 MVP's in a row against guys like Jordan, Jabbar, Magic etc. He was a monster competitor and a complete player... there was really nothing he couldn't do. Not to say Bill wasn't obviously, but it's always hard when it comes to putting players in order from different eras.
As for Lebron, while there are many examples of his greatness, there are also many examples where he chooses not to compete especially on the defensive end. His record is also not overly exceptional.
So I just got out the old SLAM magazine where they did their own 50
50. Artis Gilmore
49. Clyde Drexler
48. Robert Parish
47. Earl Monroe
46. Pete Maravich
45. Nate Archibald
44. Alex English
43. Dan Issel
42. Bernard King
41. Adrian Dantley
40. Dominique Wilkins
39. Dave DeBusschere
38. Paul Arizin
37. Billy Cunningham
36. Jerry Lucas
35. Bob McAdoo
34. Walt Bellamy
33. Nate Thurmond
32. David Robinson
31. Dolph Schayes
30. Scottie Pippen
29. Kevin McHale
28. Patrick Ewing
27. Wes Unseld
26. Dave Cowens
25. Willis Reed
24. George Mikan
23. John Stockton
22. Bob Cousy
21. Isiah Thomas
20. Walt Frazier
19. George Gervin
18. Elvin Hayes
17. Charles Barkley
16. Karl Malone
15. Moses Malone
14. John Havlicek
13. Bob Pettit
12. Rick Barry
11. Julius Erving
10. Hakeem Olajuwon
9. Jerry West
8. Elgin Baylor
7. Oscar Robertson
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Larry Bird
3. Magic Johnson
2. Bill Russell
1. Michael Jordan
Up & Coming:
Shaquille O'Neal
Shawn Kemp
Grant Hill
Anfernee Hardaway
Gary Payton
Thinking of making my list for now - player has to be retired to be on the list - what's peoples thoughts on the NBA 75 list having eg Kawhi at 75th and his career is not over but they potentially left someone more deserving off. I put Alex English in at 75.
I know this list creation is an impossible task - just throwing stuff out there for discussion