3Peatkb24 wrote:My list of Greatest players I have seen live, basically since I can remember (1977 to now is factored in = 40 seasons of Basketball as of May 9th, 2016). I base it on - Eye test, Stats, Overall games won by a player, Playoff games won, Rings won by a player and how important that player was to winning those rings, League MVP's won by a player, Finals MVP's won by a player, A players clutch play, A players athleticism, A players basketball IQ, What era the player played in, A players longevity, A players leadership, and How dominant a player has been at his position. I am a little biased toward players that played in the 80's I admit but to me that was the best decade of basketball that I have witnessed. My SWEET 16 list:
1. Michael Jordan
2. Magic Johnson
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. Kobe Bryant - his 4th place status is secure even if Tim wins #6. Tim is now a minimal Role Player.
5. Larry Bird
6. Tim Duncan
7. Shaq O'Neal
8. LeBron James
9. Hakeem Olajuwon
10. Moses Malone
11. Karl Malone
12. Julius Erving 'DOC'
13. Isiah Thomas
14. Dwyane Wade
15. Charles Barkley
16. Dirk Nowitzki
-Tate, I have Bird higher than Duncan because to me he played in a much tougher era. He would have 5 Rings had he not played against Magic's Lakers. I know all-time statistically Bird doesn't measure up to Duncan or LeBron before you blast my list but you have to factor in every component I listed above and Bird even still has more Rings regarding LeBron 3-2. If LeBron can lead the Cavs to a Title beating the Warriors or Spurs I will put him 5th over Bird, Duncan, and Shaq because that will show me he can win without Wade and he is the best player on his team obviously so his value to his team winning is very high if they win it all. Tate you will win your debate then, I'll say he is better than Bird if that happens.
*I will also add by the Eye test, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are Hall of Fame players already!
-I had a list like this similar on our old Site and Craig said it was my best work. I just revamped it up a bit and updated everything! I want to see what LeBron does moving forward, his legacy is about winning one for the Land, we will see??
Yep like I said by the eye test Durant is a Hall of Famer! Any doubts now? Curry is too with his Ring and 2 MVP's but Durant always gets dissed by the media. LeBron and Curry get all the glory. Go ThunderS! Looking back at what I posted I guess LeBron will have to beat the Thunder instead LOL
which he definitely could. Man did the Spurs and Warriors peter out!