tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130027192024-02-19T02:16:28.760-07:00Hoops and Other Pop Culture"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum." The Late, Great Roddy PiperHMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-76468117480169450432021-11-24T09:11:00.000-07:002021-11-24T09:11:09.232-07:00The Top 75 Players of the NBA's First 75 Years, In Alphabetical Order<p>Not bold indicates a guy not on the NBA's official list. I have 11 they do not have.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ray Allen <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Giannis Antetokounmpo<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Carmelo Anthony<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Paul Arizin (5)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Charles Barkley<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Rick Barry<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Elgin Baylor<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Larry Bird<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kobe Bryant (10)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wilt Chamberlain<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bob Cousy<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dave Cowens<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stephen Curry <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Adrian Dantley (15)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Anthony Davis <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Clyde Drexler<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Tim Duncan<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kevin Durant<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Alex English (20)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Julius Erving<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Patrick Ewing<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Walt Frazier <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kevin Garnett <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pau Gasol (25)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>George Gervin<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Artis Gilmore<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Manu Ginobili<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hal Greer<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>James Harden (30)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Havlicek <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Elvin Hayes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dwight Howard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Allen Iverson<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>LeBron James(35) <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Magic Johnson <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neil Johnston <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nikola Jokić<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Michael Jordan<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jason Kidd (40)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bernard King <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bob Lanier<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kawhi Leonard<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Karl Malone<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Moses Malone (45)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bob McAdoo<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tracy McGrady <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kevin McHale<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Reggie Miller<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>George Mikan (50)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Steve Nash<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dirk Nowitzki <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hakeem Olajuwon<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Shaquille O’Neal<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Robert Parish (55)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Chris Paul<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Gary Payton<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bob Pettit<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Paul Pierce<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scottie Pippen (60)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Willis Reed <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Oscar Robertson<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>David Robinson <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dennis Rodman<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bill Russell (65)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dolph Schayes<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Stockton<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Isiah Thomas<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Nate Thurmond<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wes Unseld (</b>70)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dwyane Wade<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bill Walton<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jerry West<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Russell Westbrook<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dominique Wilkins (75)<o:p></o:p></b></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-58428283170618414802021-05-12T08:49:00.000-06:002021-05-12T08:49:52.729-06:00The Top 36 NBA/ABA Players of All-Time, May 2021.<p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Michael Jordan</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. LeBron James</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Wilt Chamberlain</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">(gap)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Tim Duncan</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Magic Johnson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Bill Russell</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Shaquille O'Neal</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">9. Larry Bird</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">(gap)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">10. Jerry West </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">11. Kobe Bryant</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">12. Oscar Robertson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">(gap)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">13. Karl Malone</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">14. George Mikan</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">15. David Robinson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">16. Bob Pettit</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">17. Julius Erving</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">18. Hakeem Olajuwon</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">19. Moses Malone</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">20. Charles Barkley</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">21. Kevin Durant</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">22. Kevin Garnett</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">23. Dirk Nowitzki</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">24. Stephen Curry</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">25. James Harden</span></p><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">26. Elgin Baylor</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">27. Rick Barry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">28. John Stockton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">29. Chris Paul</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">30. John Havlicek</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">31. Scottie Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">32. Bob Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">(gap)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">33. Dwyane Wade</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">34. Patrick Ewing</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">35. Gary Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">36. Steve Nash</span></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-80555277161295446842021-05-05T09:53:00.002-06:002021-05-06T06:22:34.316-06:00The Top 36 Players of All-Time, Rated by Me, As of the end of April 2021.<p> <b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Will Be Watching Their Backs in April 2024:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">36. Steve Nash</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">35. Gary Payton </span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">34. Patrick Ewing</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">33. Dwyane Wade </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">(Current guys looking to move up - Kawhi, Giannis, Westbrook, Anthony Davis)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Next Group Up - A Little Safer </u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">32. Bob Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">31. Scottie Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">30. John Havlicek</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">29. Chris Paul </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Looks Good Through April 2030 at Least</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">28. John Stockton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">27. Rick Barry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">26. Elgin Baylor</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Top 25? Now You Are Talking!</u></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">25. James Harden</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">24. Stephen Curry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">23. Dirk Nowitzki</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">22. Kevin Garnett </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">21. Kevin Durant</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Solid Top 20 Guys</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">20. Charles Barkley</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">19. Moses Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">18. Hakeem Olajuwon</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">17. Julius Erving</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">16, Bob Pettit</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">15, David Robinson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">14. George Mikan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">13, Karl Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">12. Oscar Robertson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">11. Kobe Bryant</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Category "He Is the NBA Logo For a Reason"</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">10. Jerry West</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>The Elite - The Top 9</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">9. Larry Bird</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Shaquille O'Neal</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Bill Russell</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>6. </span><span>Magic Johnson</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Tim Duncan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Wilt Chamberlain</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. LeBron James</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Michael Jordan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By Time Period</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players primarily from the 1950s - Pettit, Mikan and Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">6 Players Primarily From the 1960s - Russell, Wilt, Baylor, Oscar, West, Havlicek,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players Primarily From the 1970s - Kareem, Doc, Barry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players Primarily from the 1980s - Moses, Bird, Magic</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">9 Players Primarily from the 1990s - Jordan, KMalone, Robinson, Hakeem, Barkley, Stockton, Ewing, Pippen, Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Players Primarily from 2000-09 -- Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, KG, Dirk, Wade, Nash</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5 Players Primarily from 2010-Present - James, Durant, Curry, Harden, Paul</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All-Time Teams (By Position)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">First Team:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">PG - Magic</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - Jordan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - LeBron</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Duncan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Wilt</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2nd Team</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Oscar</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - West (could be PG, but better as SG)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Bird</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - KMalone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Kareem</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3rd Team </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Curry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - Kobe</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Julius Erving</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Bob Pettit</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C- Bill Russell</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4th Team</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - John Stockton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - James Harden</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Kevin Durant</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Charles Barkley</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Shaq</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5th Team </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Chris Paul</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - John Havlicek (could be SF, also played SG)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Elgin Baylor</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Kevin Garnett</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - George Mikan</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">6th Team </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">PG - Bob Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - Dwyane Wade</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Rick Barry </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Dirk Nowitzki </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">C - David Robinson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7th team </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Gary Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - None Left</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Scottie Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - None Left </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Hakeem Olajuwon</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3 leftovers - Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, Steve Nash </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">(You could play Moses at PF and Nash as a SG, Ewing is then the only 1 left with no team and becomes the 8th team center, waiting for teammates).</span></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-45835524256153203762021-05-05T09:36:00.001-06:002021-05-05T09:36:11.241-06:00LeBron and Michael - 2021 Edition<p>My work was supposed to be done by April 30, 2021, but it has generally been the case that I spill over a little. So, May 5, 2021, time to decide between LeBron and Michael.</p><p>It is fitting that 4 years ago exactly (May 5, 2017) I listed the criteria by which I judge great players. Here it is:</p><p><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">A) The primary means of evaluating a player should be his ability to excel in regular season play. After all, without good regular season play there can be no playoff play. It is also a far larger sample size. Playing well over 82 games is far harder than playing well over 10-12-20 games.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">Advantage - Jordan. There can be no question that Jordan was the superior regular season player. His Bulls work, in particular, featured a sustained peak in advanced stats that even LeBron cannot match. Example, Jordan's Bulls WS/48 is .277(!) . It is only his crappy Wizards two years that brings him down to .2505, still #1 all-time.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">Jordan +1</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">B) Next on the list has to be the perception of the player from those who watched him play. I never saw Bob Pettit or Elgin Baylor play. I do know, however, that they were deemed to be 10X first-team all-NBA. George Mikan was named the best player in the world 1900-50. You cannot ignore that fact.</span></p><p>Tie - Jordan has one more MVP and they both have double digits 1st team All-NBAs. They were each generally regarded by people who watched them as the best player in their league for years and years and years,</p><p><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">C) Then I turn to advanced stats, which are an attempt to measure certain levels of play by assigning a number to them. The greatest players generally have two things in common - a) they have huge single-season number; b) they have great longevity at a high level of performance.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">Tie - both have had huge peaks and huge per-minute efforts in their careers.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">D) It is at this point that you start looking at post-season play. This is where guys like Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone and John Stockton start to falter. You will note, however, that all of those players are in my top 26 all-time, so I do not consider consistent playoff greatness to be a disqualifying factor. It is, however, a factor and one that can impact how the player is viewed when lines need to be drawn on "is Tim Duncan a better player than Karl Malone?" Since the goal of playing basketball is to win the title, you need to give Duncan the extra "plus" over Malone.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">This is where the huge dispute arises between the LeBron crowd and the Jordan crowd. Jordan's 6 for 6 with 6 Finals MVPs versus LeBron's 4 for 10 with 4 Finals MVPs. It is clearly better to have 10 conference titles than 6 conference titles. Anyone making an objective assessment would have to concede that. But it is clearly better to have 6 wins than 4 and 6 FMVPs than 4. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">When you look at their playoff peaks, a pretty good argument can be made for James. He has had some simply ridiculous playoff seasons (2009, 2012, 2018). His ability to carry mediocre/poor teams is unmatched. Jordan, however, defeats LeBron in WS/48 and BPM over his playoff career. </span></p><p>Advantage? Jordan.</p><p><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">E) It is at this point that you need to be able to rely somewhat on personal observation (if possible) and sort of a 'feel" for who was better. (That is why we have all of these lists). I fear that many lists use this factor E almost exclusively as their criteria. I mean, ESPN has guys like Iverson and Isiah Thomas and Bill Walton and Kevin McHale very high on their all-time lists. There is really no objective basis for these rankings - they are almost purely subjective or based upon something that once happened in one game (Isiah scored a million points with a broken ankle; Iverson stepped over Ty Lue; McHale was impossible to stop in the post (he played with Larry Bird yet averaged over 25 ppg once and over 20 only 5X)) Walton's ranking appears almost cult-like. Yes, he could perform all aspects of the game when healthy. He was healthy for 1 1/2 years and mostly healthy for 1 Sixth Man of the Year award. He has 39 career WS. His career WS performance is similar to Tom Boerwinkle's).</span><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">So, I guess my criticism of most ranking systems is that they start with E, then go to D, then maybe include a sprinkling of A. I'd say you set your base by looking at A, B, C and then use D and E only in cases of extremely tough calls. </span><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">The bias in my method, I will concede is AGAINST the belief that a guy is great simply because he gets a lot of shots and makes some. And it is biased against guys who have enjoyed great post-season success (Horry, Chauncey, are disqualified from a top 36 consideration before ever reaching category D).</span><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">But I think that is the way it ought to be done.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Since I said this factor can be used in the case of extremely tough calls, and we have an extremely tough call, we need to ask what I think of LeBron and Michael. I saw both play in person. LeBron definitely plays like Magic. A better version of Magic (far better defender, better scorer). Strong, strong praise in my book. Michael plays like Kareem - scores at will, you cannot stop him. A better version of Kareem (higher motor, crazier competitor). Michael and LeBron are the two best guys I ever saw play in person, and very different players. If you had a team who was 15-67 and poorly coached, you'd pick LeBron. If you had a team that was 41-41 and could get a good coach, you'd pick Michael. So, this isn't a super helpful inquiry.</span></p><p>Tie.<br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">As far as the issue of longevity - I do award "points" for consistently great regular season stats and for all-NBA awards and MVP Award Shares. All of these are a function of longevity. Certainly a guy who was great for 15 years has to get a plus over a guy who was great for 6 years. After you reach 9-10 years of good play, however, there are diminishing returns for playing longer. But still some credit. </span><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">And on the issue of whether a guy who gets, say, 35 WS one year (has never occurred) and then sucks for 7 years should be ranked highly, I'd say generally no. The exception would be if the guy was seriously injured. </span><br style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">I think this is where LeBron clearly gets extra points. He is 13x First Team All-NBA. No one else is 12X. No one. Ever. He has more All-NBA teams (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) than Kareem or Duncan, and generally played at a higher level of play than those players both in the regular season and playoffs, bot over a long period of time and at their respective peaks. Think about that; these are top 5 all-time players and LeBron's consistent greatness surpasses theirs. The only player who had a clearly higher sustained peak than LeBron over a 5 year stretch was Wilt. Wilt had an insane 7 year peak. LeBron has had a sustained peak over 2007-2020. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Huge plus for LeBron here. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Summary:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Wins for Jordan - A, D</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Ties - B, C, E </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Wins for LeBron - Longevity (by a lot). </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">2021 Result:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">I am going to leave them where they sat in April 2018. Halfway through this season, I really thought I was going to move LeBron up. He was headed for a 5th MVP (would have tied Michael) and a #1 seed (likely 5th title) and was going to pass Wilt in Win Shares. Then he rolled his ankle and shit just fell apart. This leaves me on Cinco de Mayo 2021 with a decision of whether I want to move LeBron up based upon an incomplete record when his body is breaking down and he may never be great again. Has he reached the Karl Malone with the Lakers inflection point? </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">I am just not willing to move him up. While it is VERY, VERY close, I stick with Michael for now.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Winner - Jordan. Michael Jordan #1 greatest player of all-time. LeBron James #2 greatest player of all-time. LeBron can reapply in April 2024. </span></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-19997589071740762772021-04-28T14:55:00.002-06:002021-04-28T15:24:57.038-06:00I am Not Re-doing all of my work on Kareem and Wilt - 2021 Top 36 -- Wilt #3, Kareem #4<p>Wilt, in my opinion, was a better player and had a better career than Kareem. Nothing has changed in 3 years to change my opinion enough to flip flop them.</p><p> See https://hoopramblings.blogspot.com/2018/05/greatest-nba-players-kareem-is-4-wilt.html</p><p>As I have said before, the Top 4 players in NBA history are in some order, Wilt, Kareem, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.</p><p>So, on April 28, 2021, I have finally reached the point where I have to reconsider LeBron v. Michael for #1 overall. Here are the rest of your Top 36 for April 2021:</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Will Be Watching Their Backs in April 2024:</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">36. Steve Nash</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">35. Gary Payton </span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">34. Patrick Ewing</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">33. Dwyane Wade </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">(Current guys looking to move up - Kawhi, Giannis, Westbrook, Anthony Davis)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Next Group Up - A Little Safer </u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">32. Bob Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">31. Scottie Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">30. John Havlicek</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">29. Chris Paul </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Looks Good Through April 2030 at Least</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">28. John Stockton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">27. Rick Barry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">26. Elgin Baylor</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Top 25? Now You Are Talking!</u></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">25. James Harden</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">24. Stephen Curry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">23. Dirk Nowitzki</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">22. Kevin Garnett </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">21. Kevin Durant</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Solid Top 20 Guys</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">20. Charles Barkley</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">19. Moses Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">18. Hakeem Olajuwon</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">17. Julius Erving</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">16, Bob Pettit</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">15, David Robinson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">14. George Mikan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">13, Karl Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">12. Oscar Robertson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">11. Kobe Bryant</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Category "He Is the NBA Logo For a Reason"</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">10. Jerry West</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>The Elite - The Top 9</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">9. Larry Bird</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">8. Shaquille O'Neal</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Bill Russell</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>6. </span><span>Magic Johnson</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Tim Duncan</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Wilt Chamberlain</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Now we have to pick between LeBron and Michael. At least I have 2 1/3 days to do so.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By Time Period</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players primarily from the 1950s - Pettit, Mikan and Cousy</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">6 Players Primarily From the 1960s - Russell, Wilt, Baylor, Oscar, West, Havlicek,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players Primarily From the 1970s - Kareem, Doc, Barry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 Players Primarily from the 1980s - Moses, Bird, Magic</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">9 Players Primarily from the 1990s - Jordan, KMalone, Robinson, Hakeem, Barkley, Stockton, Ewing, Pippen, Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Players Primarily from 2000-09 -- Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, Dirk, Nash, Wade, Garnett</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5 Players Primarily from 2010-Present - James, Curry, Harden, Paul, Durant</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Forming 3 teams of 5</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Magic, 2nd string Oscar, 3rd string Curry</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - Jordan, West, Kobe</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - LeBron, Bird, Doc</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF - Duncan, KMalone, Pettit</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Wilt, Kareem, Russell</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Forming Teams 4-7</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PG - Stockton, Paul, Cousy, Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SG - Harden, Havlicek, Wade, none</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SF - Durant, Baylor, Barry, Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PF -Barkley, Garnett, Dirk, none</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">C - Shaq, Mikan, Robinson, Hakeem</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3 leftovers - Moses, Ewing, Nash </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><br /></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-92233092134832145102021-04-28T11:30:00.002-06:002021-04-28T11:30:59.986-06:00Top 36 (April 2021 Edition) - 5 & 6 - Is It Duncan or Magic? <p>Timothy Theodore Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.</p><p>Earvin Johnson Jr. was born on August 14, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan.</p><p>Now, one aspect of my 2018 list that caused criticism and consternation was that I had Duncan too high and Earvin too low. So, I am not afraid to consider this criticism, and I have thought about it for 3 years. Obviously, not much has changed and we are in the top 6 and both guy are still around (so, I am not dropping Duncan) and there is no way Magic goes up above #5, so we are where we are.</p><p>5 titles</p><p>3 Finals MVPs</p><p>Over .200 WS/48</p><p>The cornerstone of a franchise for over a decade.</p><p>These are stats/awards/status shared by both Magic and Duncan.</p><p>What is the case for Magic? Magic went to more Finals (9) than Duncan (6). Magic was a superior offensive player. Magic, in fact, is arguably the greatest offensive player of all-time. Of players who played at least 20,000 minutes of their career during 1980-91, Magic absolutely destroys the field in OBPM and ORtg, whipping guys known specifically for their offense (Dantley, Wilkins) and coming out far superior to Bird. https://stathead.com/tiny/hQBR1</p><p>He has one more regular season MVP than Duncan. He is 5th in MVP Award Shares while Duncan is 9th.</p><p>Even more interesting for Magic is the fact that he was showing no noticeable decline in 1991 and may have actually been a BETTER player in some ways than when he was young. It is possible that Magic puts up another 70 WS and another 50 VORP if able to play 1992-98. Magic, really, was headed for a career like LeBron's.</p><p>He got HIV. </p><p>Whether you "blame" Magic for that or not, the fact is, he had a 15 WS/8 VORP season in 1991 and he was going to be 32 years old. It is altogether possible that Magic could have been the #1 player of all-time. But he is not. He is, as a result of HIV, 14th in VORP and 24th in WS, while he is 3rd in BPM and 9th in WS/48. OK, so that is Magic.</p><p><br /></p><p>Duncan? Well, he is THIRTY TIMES either All-NBA or All-Defense. 30x. Think about that. Gary Payton is like 18x. Duncan - 30x. That is just silly. He was the anchor for the Spurs on defense from 1998 to 2016. He is second all-time in Defensive Win Shares behind Bill Russell. Duncan won titles while competing against the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. He beat LeBron's team twice in the Finals. He has one more first-team All-NBA than does Magic. Magic played with Kareem, who is a top 4 all-time player. Duncan never played with a top 4 all-time player and still won the same number of titles.</p><p>I rank Tim Duncan so high on my list because I see him as sort of our generation's Bill Russell, except he could score. In 1999 and 2003 and 2005, Duncan carried his team to the title...on both ends. In 2003, Duncan had 5.9 playoff WS. That is the most ever registered in any playoff year. Then he won in 2007 against a terrible Cavs team. By 2013 and 2014, he had reloaded with new guys and was winning again.</p><p>So, how good was Tim Duncan? Awfully, awfully good. And if you want to nitpick, he got the most first-place MVP votes twice, as did Magic (Magic's 3rd MVP was the only time the guy getting fewer first-place votes won).</p><p>I thought about it, but I am sticking with Duncan. Duncan is one of the best defensive layers if all-time. Magic? 0 All-defense awards and absolutely no one ever promoted him for one. Longevity and defense need to be rewarded somewhere. I think this is as good of a place as any.</p><p>#6 - Magic Johnson</p><p>#5 - Tim Duncan</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-16438194277064935092021-04-28T08:39:00.002-06:002021-04-28T08:39:46.311-06:00The #7 Player of All-Time (April 2021 Edition) - Bill Russell<p> William Felton Russell was born February 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana. </p><p>Bill Russell's Celtics won 11 titles out of his 13 years, losing only to Bob Pettit's 1958 Hawks and Wilt's 1967 Sixers. During his 13 years in the league, Russell won 5 MVPs and had the following MVP Placements:</p><p>7-1-2-2-1-1-1-3-1-4-3-4</p><p>Russell has 133 Defensive Win Shares. In the history of the NBA and ABA, Wilt has 2 10DWS seasons and Russell has 6. That is it. That is the end of the list. Russell has a SIXTEEN DWS season! Russell was not only clearly the greatest defensive player of all-time, he is MILES ahead of second place, and he was probably 25 years ahead of anyone as far as roaming around and blocking shots. Literally. Watch some old Russell footage, you will feel like you are watching a player from 1990 roaming around and playing help defense while the remainder of the guys on the film are just standing around next to their men. It was not until the late 80s and early 90s that guys realized that this was probably a great strategy defensively and they ought to start doing it. So Russell was playing a style in the Kennedy Administration that no one really picked up on until the first Bush Administration. That is simply mind boggling. Compare that to Golden State learning in 2015 that barrages of 3s will kill an opponent and every team in the league picking that up about 2 years later.</p><p>So, in light of all of his titles and the fact that he probably also would have won 8+ Finals MVPs, why isn't Bill Russell #1? Well, the offensive numbers are just SO bad. Early in his career, Russell was a slightly above league average shooter in a league where shooting was pretty poor. Thereafter, below league average. PER - bad; OWS - under 30 for his career; he NEVER averaged 19 PPG despite playing nearly the entire game. He was an above-average assist guy for a big man, but he played on teams full of Hall of Famers and almost never scored, so you'd hope he could register some assists by throwing the ball to Sharman, Cousy, Havlicek, Heinsohn, Jones, etc.</p><p>He and Wilt played in the league 10 years together. First-team All-NBAs? Wilt 7, Russell 2, Unseld 1. I think the general belief of the players at the time was that he was the most important player in the league, but not necessarily the best. </p><p>I concede that Russell is extremely difficult to rank. If all you care about is titles, he is obviously #1. He led his team to 11 titles. (He had a lot of help, but he was the key guy). If you want a guy who shines on both ends of the floor, he isn't it. If you want a guy with overall advanced stats, he certainly isn't it (20th in WS, 28th in WS/48, not Top 100 in PER). If you judge him based upon his advanced stats, he is just a Top 20 player (Moses, Hakeem, David area - Bob Pettit, for example, is 7th in PER and 16th in WS/48). </p><p>I am going to say #7 - that seems like a sane ranking (ESPN has him at #4). I won't dwell on it - it is now April 28 and I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-1771165491029261112021-04-27T17:39:00.001-06:002021-04-28T11:35:26.556-06:00The #8 Player of All-Time (2021 Edition) - Shaquille O'Neal<p>Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born on March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey. </p><p>Now, imagine, if you will, that your reputation was that you dogged it in the regular season, were routinely out of shape, and just turned it on for the playoffs at the last second. Now imagine that your regular season awards included an MVP, 8x First Team All-NBAs, 2 2nds and 4 3rds. And imagine that your stats included this run:</p><p>23-14 & 3.5 blocks</p><p>29-13-2.9</p><p>29-11-2.4</p><p>26-11-2.1</p><p>26-12-2.9</p><p>28-11-2.9</p><p>26-11-2.5</p><p>29.7-13.6-3.0</p><p>29-13-2.8</p><p>27-11-2</p><p>27-11-2.4</p><p>22-11-2.5</p><p>23-10-2.3</p><p>Most 21-10-2 seasons? Shaq.</p><table class="sortable stats_table now_sortable" data-cols-to-freeze="1,2" id="stats" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-spacing: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.785714em;"><tbody><tr data-row="4" style="vertical-align: top;"></tr><tr data-row="0" style="vertical-align: top;"><th class="right" csk="1" data-stat="ranker" scope="row" style="background-clip: padding-box; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1</th><td class="left" csk="O'Neal,Shaquille" data-append-csv="onealsh01" data-stat="player" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">Shaquille O'Neal</a></td><td class="right" data-stat="year_min" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1993</td><td class="right" data-stat="year_max" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">2005</td><td class="left" data-stat="team_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">TOT</td><td class="left" data-stat="lg_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">NBA</td><td class="right" data-stat="counter" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">12</td></tr><tr data-row="1" style="vertical-align: top;"><th class="right" csk="2" data-stat="ranker" scope="row" style="background-clip: padding-box; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">2</th><td class="left" csk="Olajuwon,Hakeem" data-append-csv="olajuha01" data-stat="player" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olajuha01.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">Hakeem Olajuwon</a></td><td class="right" data-stat="year_min" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1986</td><td class="right" data-stat="year_max" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1996</td><td class="left" data-stat="team_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">HOU</a></td><td class="left" data-stat="lg_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">NBA</td><td class="right" data-stat="counter" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">11</td></tr><tr data-row="2" style="vertical-align: top;"><th class="right" csk="3" data-stat="ranker" scope="row" style="background-clip: padding-box; background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">3</th><td class="left" csk="Abdul-Jabbar,Kareem" data-append-csv="abdulka01" data-stat="player" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a></td><td class="right" data-stat="year_min" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1974</td><td class="right" data-stat="year_max" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1981</td><td class="left" data-stat="team_id" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">TOT</td><td class="left" data-stat="lg_id" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">NBA</td><td class="right" data-stat="counter" style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">8</td></tr><tr data-row="3" style="vertical-align: top;"><th class="right" csk="4" data-stat="ranker" scope="row" style="background-clip: padding-box; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4</th><td class="left" csk="Robinson,David" data-append-csv="robinda01" data-stat="player" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinda01.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">David Robinson</a></td><td class="right" data-stat="year_min" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1990</td><td class="right" data-stat="year_max" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1998</td><td class="left" data-stat="team_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">SAS</a></td><td class="left" data-stat="lg_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">NBA</td><td class="right" data-stat="counter" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">8</td></tr><tr data-row="4" style="vertical-align: top;"><th class="right" csk="5" data-stat="ranker" scope="row" style="background-clip: padding-box; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-weight: normal; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">5</th><td class="left" csk="Duncan,Tim" data-append-csv="duncati01" data-stat="player" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">Tim Duncan</a></td><td class="right" data-stat="year_min" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1998</td><td class="right" data-stat="year_max" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">2004</td><td class="left" data-stat="team_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/" rel="noopener" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">SAS</a></td><td class="left" data-stat="lg_id" style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">NBA<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Shaq still finished Top 5 in MVP balloting 8x. Shaq is still 7th all-time in regular season MVP Award Shares, despite his reputation. </p><p>That is the amazing thing about Shaq (4 titles, 3 FMVPs, reached 6 Finals with 3 teams), there is no doubt he could have been WAAAAAAAY better in the regular season, Yet he's 15th in rebounds, 9th in blocks, 10th in points, 13th in WS, 4th in PER. </p><p>Then in the playoffs? My lord, look at all of the black ink. At some point in time, he led the playoffs in scoring, rebounding, blocks, WS, WS/48, VORP.</p><p>His 1999-2000 season and playoffs is a Top 10 season of all-time. How is your favorite guy's peak? Well, if it is 1999-2000 Shaq, that is quite a peak.</p><p>Adjusted shooting for his career? 3,800 without free throws, 2,800 with free throws. Effective FG% Plus for his career? 120 (120% of league average). My lord. </p><p>So if I love Shaq so much, (1) why don't I marry him, and (2) why #8? Well, you just have to deduct some points for his 1 MVP and his constant missing of games in his prime. That hurts your team. He won his conference titles with Penny and Kobe and Wade, and he got a LOT out of those guys in the deep playoff runs. They made his life a little easier. </p><p>What you see with Shaq is he is a Top 5 all-time playoff performer and probably a top 10 regular season player. That doesn't get you a top 5 rating. I'm gonna give him #8. Has an argument for a couple higher; has an argument for a couple lower.</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-22258084808138777872021-04-27T17:09:00.001-06:002021-04-27T17:09:12.140-06:00The #9 Player of All-Time - Larry Bird<p> Larry Joe Bird was born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana.</p><p>Bird would not reach the NBA until just before his 23 birthday, and his heel and then his back went on him by age 31, ending his time as an all-time great player. Bird, therefore, really only had 9 great seasons. But boy were they great.</p><p>Bird won 3 MVPs and his MVP placements in those 9 years are scary good:</p><p>4-2-2-2-1-1-1-3-2</p><p>Of the Top 9 players on my list, Bird falls only below LeBron and Jordan and Kareem for career MVP Award Shares (see chart at bottom). Therefore, in his 9 great years, he put up some hellacious numbers. For example, he is the only player to ever go 24-10-6 for a career. From 1984 to 1987, Bird was at his peak and was a great peak performer. </p><p>24-10-6.5</p><p>29-10-6.5</p><p>26-10-6.8</p><p>28-9-7.6. </p><p>Those are just crazy numbers for a 4 year stretch. </p><p>So, why not higher? Longevity isn't great (compare Kareem, Duncan, LeBron, Russell, Wilt, even Shaq), his playoff advanced stats are not the great (he is top 5 in no playoff advanced stat - WS 12th, WS/48 27th, BPM 11th, VORP 6th). And he only has 2 Finals MVPs (MJ 6, LeBron 4, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Duncan 3 each).</p><p>For a guy with a 9-year crest/peak, you'd think he'd be higher in the per minute regular season stats of WS/48 (23rd) and BPM (7th). To gain extra points for greatness over a shorter period of time, you'd like to see 5 MVPs and 5 FMVP and top 3 in WS/48 or BPM. You aren't seeing that. You'd like to see, for example, that he has a far higher playoff BPM and WS/48 and Net Rating than Kawhi Leonard. You aren't seeing that -- https://stathead.com/tiny/yCdGe</p><p>So, truly a great player, but he just has too much against him to get above #9.</p><table class="suppress_glossary suppress_csv sortable stats_table now_sortable" data-cols-to-freeze="0" id="tot" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-spacing: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.785714em;"><tbody><tr data-row="0" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">LeBron James</a></strong></td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">8.813</td></tr><tr data-row="1" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">2.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Michael Jordan</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">8.115</td></tr><tr data-row="2" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">3.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">6.105</td></tr><tr data-row="3" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Larry Bird</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">5.612</td></tr><tr data-row="4" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">5.</td><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html" style="color: #5e44b3; touch-action: manipulation;">Magic Johnson</a>*</td><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">5.104</td></tr><tr data-row="5" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">6.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russebi01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Bill Russell</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.748</td></tr><tr data-row="6" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">7.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Shaquille O'Neal</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.380</td></tr><tr data-row="7" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">8.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.296</td></tr><tr data-row="8" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">9.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Tim Duncan</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.278</td></tr><tr data-row="9" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">10.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.202</td></tr><tr data-row="10" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">11.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chambwi01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Wilt Chamberlain</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.152</td></tr></tbody></table>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-36269907523534164122021-04-27T08:40:00.000-06:002021-04-27T08:40:54.403-06:00Who Remains - The Top 9 of All-Time (April 2021 Edition)<p>9 players are left to rank in the next 4 days. They are, in alphabetical order:</p><p><br /></p><p>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 6 MVPs, 6 titles, 3 FMVPs, all-time leading scorer, 15x some sort of all-NBA</p><p><br /></p><p>Larry Bird - 3x MVP, 3 titles, 2 FMVPs, 4th in career MVP Award Shares. 146 WS.</p><p><br /></p><p>Wilt Chamberlain - 4 MVPs, 2 titles, 1 FMVP, all-time leading rebounder, 2nd in PPG, 1st in RPG, 247 WS</p><p><br /></p><p>Tim Duncan - 2 MVPs, 5 titles, 3x FMVP, 30x All-NBA or All-Defense, 10x first-team All-NBA, #3 in Drtg and #2 in DWS. 206 WS</p><p><br /></p><p>LeBron James - 4 MVPs, 4 titles, 4 FMVPs, 16x some sort of All-NBA, 241 WS</p><p><br /></p><p>Magic Johnson - 3 MVPs, 5 titles, 3 FMVPs, #1 APG, #3 BPM, #6 ORtg. 156 WS</p><p><br /></p><p>Michael Jordan - 5 MVPs, 6 titles, 6 FMVPs, 10x first-team All-NBA, #1 PPG, #1 WS/48, 214 WS</p><p><br /></p><p>Bill Russell - 5x MVPs, 11 titles in 13 years, #1 DWS, 11x All-NBA of some sort, #2 in TRB and RPG, 163.5 WS (133 of them defensive).</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-59697413137856602622021-04-19T14:31:00.000-06:002021-04-19T14:31:05.626-06:00Numbers 12 to 10 -- Ranking the Top 36<p> 12. <b>Oscar Robertson </b>-- It really pains me to not have Oscar in the Top 10, largely because virtually every single guy aged 65 to 85 I have ever spoken with has told me that Oscar was the best player, period. Here is the thing - he was clearly an outstanding player, and he has some amazing positives. Only player in the Top 10 in APG and PPG; 9x first-team All-NBA; MVP placements over an 8 year stretch of 5-3-3-1-2-3-4-5. Was 5th in MVP balloting playing WITH Kareem on a title team. 189 WS, 11th most all-time, and he rolled them up every single year. (4-3-2-2-1-3-2-2-3-5-6).</p><p>But Oscar got 0 titles on his own, and his teams were not exactly knocking on the door. Bob Cousy actually said that he felt Oscar didn't play enough to win. Whether that is true or not, he didn't win without Kareem. And his PER and WS/48 don't show him as a top 10 player. That said, his regular season stats are superior to Jerry West's, and he has an MVP and a title. I think Oscar may be a little diminished in my eyes because I did not see the great Oscar play. I saw the Milwaukee Oscar play. While I was always impressed with West and Wilt and Kareem, the Oscar I saw backed the ball up the floor and fed it to Kareem in the post. I mean, that is 100% the right thing to do, but I really cannot bump him up any spots by saying, "Well, you guys don't know. You didn't watch him play!"</p><p>I am going to put him here and hope that guys born between 1936 and 1956 don't all show up at my house looking to kick my ass.
</p><p>11. <b>Kobe Bryant</b> - I will move him ahead of Oscar. 5x champion, 1x MVP, 11x first-team All-NBA, 2x Finals MVP. When you the top 20 of this list, you are playing in some really rarified air. I mean, I saw Barkley play a LOT and know how good he was. He was 20th. Doc (4x MVP) is 17th. Now you are fighting for spots in the Top 10. Virtually everything you have done in your career will be analyzed. Look at Kobe's advanced stats:</p><p>Win Shares - 19th</p><p>WS/48 - 62nd (!!) </p><p>PER - 27th</p><p>BPM - 30th</p><p>VORP - 12th</p><p>In these categories, Kobe NEVER led the league for a year. NEVER.</p><p>There are a number of players who are high-volume, low-efficiency players (Isiah, Iverson, Westbrook). Kobe is basically their king. He did the high-volume, low-efficiency schtick better than everyone else. His adjusted shooting is about +1,100. That is good, not top 10 good. 100% of Kobe's adjusted shooting + is......free throws. </p><p>But anyway, Kobe had a great career. Could it be argued that he maybe ought to be Top 9? Yeah. Could it be argued that he could be dropped several spots? Yep. I think 11 is fair.</p><p>#RIP.</p><p>10. <b>Jerry West </b>-- we have just gone through a list of great players, many of whom were hurt by their post-season play. Jerry West may have never won a regular season MVP (10x First-Team All-NBA, MVP placements of 2-2-2-2-3-5-5-5, adjusted shooting plus 2700) but his playoff stats are crazy. There are 4 players in the history of the NBA with 20+ playoff Win Shares playing at a .200+ rate. Jordan, James, Johnson, West. That is it. </p><p>https://stathead.com/tiny/3wMcZ</p><p>He is 3rd in playoff PPG. He leads the Finals in total points and is 3rd in Finals PPG. Jerry West has 1,679 Finals points. Steph Curry has 741. IF we are going to give Kawhi Leonard Top 36 consideration (which I did) based upon his great playoff stats, we should recognize that Kawhi Leonard has 362 Finals points. If he quadruples his 362, he'd have 1,448. Do you think we wouldn't be talking "Kawhi Leonard top 10" if he did that? </p><p>I realize that Jerry West went 1-8 in NBA Finals. He was Finals MVP one of those loss years. In 1962, Frank Selvy had a wide open jumper to win Game 7 and beat Russell - miss. </p><p>In any event, Jerry West is a top 10 player. I tell you what - the next guy to get 1,500 Finals points and average 30 PPG, I will put him in my Top 10 also. So if Steph Curry more than doubles his production while pushing his Finals average up 4 1/2 points per game, he is in. I think LeBron would need to average 35 PPG for his next 20 games to push his Finals average up to 30PPG. Kevin Durant? He has the average, he just needs...........1045 more Finals points.</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-62106880120406814162021-04-16T09:53:00.002-06:002021-05-06T08:24:44.488-06:00Top 36 ranked in 2021 - ##16-13<p> Since we are more than halfway through the month, I better get things cranking up.</p><p>It is interesting that players ##16-13 on my 2021 list are all going to be guys who will draw some criticism for how high I have them. You know what? If your list of all-time greats simply copies everyone else's list, your value to this exercise is 0. While that fact doesn't justify putting, say, Marcus Banks or Marcus Liberty as a top 40 player, I am more than comfortable with this grouping of 4.</p><p><br /></p><p>16. Bob Pettit - I honestly cannot understand why lists have Pettit down in the 30s. It baffles me. Pettit played 11 years, won a title, won two MVPs, is one of two guys to lead his team over Russell's (Wilt is the other), probably should have received Cousy's MVP, so he should have three. Yet he is ranked down in the 30s with guys with no MVPs, no titles, and like 3 first-team All-NBAs. It is baffling. Anyway - Pettit was 10X 1st team All-NBA. His MVP placements are 1-1-2-2-3-4-4-4-6, meaning that in his 11 seasons he was regarded as a top 4 player 8 times and a top 6 player 9 times. His MVP placements are better than his contemporary Elgin Baylor. During his playing days, it was probably Russell/Wilt/Pettit.</p><p>Only 6 guys have ever been the all-time leader in career points scored. Pettit is 1. He retired at #1 in points and #2 in rebounds. Today, 55 years after he stopped playing, he is 14th all-time in WS/48 and 7th in PER.</p><table class="no_columns" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; width: 345.6px;"><caption class="poptip" data-tip="<b>Player Efficiency Rating</b><br>A measure of per-minute production standardized such that the league average is 15." style="background: rgb(239, 238, 237); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(201, 203, 205); font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px -1px; padding: 3px; white-space: nowrap;">Player Efficiency Rating</caption><tbody><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1955_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1954-55 NBA</a> 24.4 (2nd)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1956_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1955-56 NBA</a> 27.3 (1st)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1957_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1956-57 NBA</a> 28.0 (1st)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1958_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1957-58 NBA</a> 26.3 (1st)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1959_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1958-59 NBA</a> 28.2 (1st)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1960_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1959-60 NBA</a> 23.7 (3rd)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1961_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1960-61 NBA</a> 25.2 (4th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: 0px; color: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1962_leaders.html" style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">1961-62 NBA</a> 24.2 (5th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1963_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1962-63 NBA</a> 25.0 (3rd)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1964_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1963-64 NBA</a> 23.6 (4th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1965_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">1964-65 NBA</a> 22.6 (4th)</td></tr><tr class="career"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/per_career.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Career NBA</a> 25.3 (7th)</td></tr><tr class="career"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/per_career.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Career</a> 25.3 (7th)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Enough said. I will fight this Pettit battle until the day I die.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>15. David Robinson </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of David Robinson's key statistical placements:</div><div><br /></div><div>Win Shares Per 48 - 5-2-2-6-1-1-2-1-1-3-1-5 (#2 all-time)</div><div>PER - 5-3-2-6-1-1-1-3-3-5 (3rd all time)</div><div><br /></div><div>Win Shares 16th all-time</div><div>BPM - 6-4-2-6-1-1-2-1-4-6 (4th all-time)</div><div>VORP - 5-2-3-5-1-1-2-3-7 (10th all-time)</div><div>Defensive Rating - 2-2-1-6-8-3-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-4 (4th all-time)</div><div><br /></div><div>He has two titles, an MVP, 4x All-NBA first-team, 1-2-2-3-3-6-6-7 MVP placements. He had a 20 WS season. 20. He won a scoring title. He scored 71 in a game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I will go to my grave defending the greatness of David Robinson.</div><div><br /></div><div>14. George Mikan - George Mikan stopped playing in 1956. 24 years later, he was determined by people who were alive to see him play to still have been a Top 11 player in the history of the game. He won 5 titles, 3x had 20+ WS. Retired as the all-time leading scorer in league history. If they had the awards when he played, he probably has around 4 MVPs and 4 FMVPs which would mean it would be him and Jordan and LeBron and probably Bill Russell. And he'd have 5 titles, which LeBron does not have. So there is an argument that he is a top 3 player. So how much do you reduce for the lack of longevity? I mean, I have seen lists with Bill Walton claimed to be a Top 40 player. Walton played 1 1/2 great starter years and 1 great bench year. 2 titles. So, you do have to drop Mikan some (otherwise, why isn't Giannis on my list?) but I think 14 is a fair landing spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>13. Karl Malone - I have said it before and I will say it again, if Karl Malone's regular season career is all you consider, he is a top 5 all-time player. Top 5. It is my top 4 guys and Karl. </div><div><br /></div><div>WS - 4th</div><div>VORP - 4th</div><div>Points - 2nd</div><div>Rebounds - 8th</div><div>2 MVPs, 3 WC titles</div><div>MVP Placements - 1-1-2-3-4-4-4-5-7-7-7</div><div>11x first-team All-NBA (tied for 2nd all-time)</div><div>While I cannot seriously endorse it, it bears noting that he was even 3x 1st team all-Defense!! Bird and Magic combined? Zero.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, those playoff failures? What do you do? I think you need to say that players with this level of regular season success and 3 conference titles deserve to still be ranked high. His longevity is insane and yet his per minute stats still hold up. But there are ZERO players in my remaining 12 who have no titles. The group of 12 guys has 53 titles. AND I can honestly say that I have heard at least someone say that they consider each of the Final 12 players to be the greatest player of all-time. I have never heard anyone say that they consider Karl Malone to be the greatest player of all-time. So, while you could make an argument for Karl all of the way up to #9, I will stop him at #13.</div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-58254458888770194522021-04-15T10:56:00.004-06:002021-04-16T10:04:18.770-06:00Side Story From 1983 - Just Reminded of today<p> We take a break from the 2021 Top 36 for this story. I was criticized today for putting Splenda in my coffee, and I remembered this story, taking me down a rabbit hole from 38 years ago.</p><p>The year was 1983. I was a 2nd year Honors Scholar at my college. The new class (20) of Honors Scholars had arrived at the school and we were supposed to be nice to them and tell them our experiences, etc. This, of course, caused me to try to find a good looking female to hit on and potentially date. There were two primary targets, one we will call Dani, though I am unsure what her actual name was - I think it was a unisex name. She was short and dark-haired and had some passing interest in talking to me. The other we will call Angry because she appeared angered by anything I said to her or the fact that I would give her any attention. </p><p>Dani asked me to review some poli sci classroom issues, and she even had breakfast with me to discuss them. It certainly didn't have the makings of a torrid love affair, but she smiled when we passed in the halls and she was pleasant. Angry - not so much. I tried to avoid her all I could. </p><p>We went to a reception one night at a professor's house. I hung with my sophomore friends. About 45 minutes from the end of the night, they served us coffee. Angry walked over to me and said, "What do you have there?" Coffee. "Can I have a sip?" Sure. "This is like CANDY! You drink CANDY COFFEE!?! I at least thought you'd be kind of manly. Geez. I didn't think I could think LESS of you, but I do." Um, OK. She walks away in disgust.</p><p>Now, we get about 1 month into the semester and I have almost achieved the courage to ask out Dani. I mean, why not try? I come home one day and the guy across the hall (Dave) is pouring bleach all over our shower stall. He is in this disgusting shower stall just scrubbing away. Me, "?" Dave, "I have a date with this girl tonight and she said she'd really like to take a shower with me." OK. "She is really excited." Now, Dave was a pretty terrible guy, basically imagine the stereotype of every bad movie's "college tool" guy. Me, "Well, good for you Dave, Good luck," Dave, "Her name is Dani. Complete freak."</p><p>Well, yeah... that was the end of that.</p><p>Anyway, I also remember about 2 months later that Angry one night at a party came up to me as I was sitting on a couch and said something to the effect of, "Hey, I hear you like me." Me, "What?" Her, "Look, it seems like you like me. Don't. I have a boyfriend." Me, "OK." Suffice to say, I did not hang out with that class thereafter if I could help it. The girl I had my eye on enjoyed wild shower sex with the biggest tool I knew, and the girl I had managed to avoid due to her anger issues had the belief that I secretly pined for her. </p><p>Anyway - all this comes back from just a similar coffee comment made 38 years later. </p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-49570696838818695412021-04-14T10:45:00.003-06:002021-05-12T10:44:43.169-06:00Players 17 to 22, April 2021 Edition<p> 22) Kevin Garnett - 4x first-team All-NBA, MVP placements of 1-2-2-3-5. Numerous All-Defense years, DPOY. Overall, Garnett's career in the NBA is defined by two sets of evaluations - 1) in his Minnesota years, he was wildly underrated as a player (example, 2004 he should have easily been unanimous MVP, another example, in 2005 he led the league in rebounding, Win Shares, VORP, BPM and he was DROPPED to 11th in MVP and 2nd team All-NBA), 2) in his Boston years he was wildly overrated, but he played with better players and won a title where Paul Pierce was FMVP. So, I guess it all balances out.</p><p>Garnett is the best "out on the floor" defender I have ever seen. He also was a guy (similar to David Robinson) where you could put him on any crappy team and he'd elevate the team by a LOT of wins in a short period of time. Not a great offensive player, but made himself above average. Run the Timberwolves' lifetime record with and without him and see how that makes you feel.</p><p>21) Kevin Durant - look, the guy has a couple titles and a couple Finals MVPs and is 6x All-NBA, and has MVP placements of 1-2-2-5-5, but what I really focus on are those 2013 and 2014 MVP battles with LeBron. I mean, my goodness. Durant is playing 3,100 minutes and putting up historically great statistics. He beats LeBron in 2014 and loses to him in 2013, but my goodness are those two great years. How great?</p><p>https://stathead.com/tiny/n4wX9</p><p>I think that Kevin Durant feels a lot of pain from not being seen as the player that LeBron is. I think it REALLY bothers him, and I think it is the reason he went to Golden State and the reason he left Golden State. He REALLY wanted some titles for his legacy, and then when people said, "Great, Harrison Barnes has a title too" he had to go to Brooklyn to try to win his own title (which it appears he realized wasn't going to happen, since they went out and got Harden).</p><p>His regular season advanced numbers and honors are roughly the same as Harden's, and he has better regular season numbers and awards than Curry. So, they are at ##25 and 24, I will leave him up here at #21, but he still doesn't crack the top 20. He probably has an argument for 20. He also can reapply in 2024. If he has a couple Nets titles by then, he will move up significantly.</p><p>20) Charles Barkley - in 1993, Charles Barkley played as well as Michael Jordan. He was MVP, led the Suns to the Finals and they lost in 6 games despite games where Chuck had like 44-24-5 on 65% shooting. That pretty much sums up the career of Charles Barkley. He is great, often historically great, yet he could never quite win it all. Barkley was 5x first-team All-NBA and had MVP placements of 1-2-4-4-6-6-6-6, meaning he was recognized as a top 6 player 8 times but was only 5x first-team. Bad luck. Barkley is the only player in the history of the NBA who ever won the most MVP first-place votes and yet was not MVP (1990, Jordan and Magic split the vote and Magic won). More bad luck.</p><p>Most "Game Scores" of over 30 (a star level game) -- 1) Jordan, 2) LeBron, and then.........3) Charles Barkley. Run any advanced stat or Game Score stat and/or adjusted shooting stat - Barkley is WAY up there at the very top. Almost +3,000 adjusted shooting! TS% 12th, PER 12th, Win Shares 17th, BPM 14th, VORP 11th, ORtg 12th, WS/48 14th.</p><p>Barkley was insanely good. Kevin Durant will need to wait until 2024 to pass him.</p><p>19) Moses Malone - there is a defect in The Matrix, because I am changing his spot. Sorry, Moses. Upon years of reflection, I have to move him down to 19. Look, Moses was a great players and SUPER dominant (3x MVP, FMVP, MVP placements of 1-1-1-3-4-6, 5x first-team All-NBA). His 1983 season he was so dominant that he declared before the playoffs "fo, fo, fo" and actually ripped through 4-5-4 due Moncrief spoiling things. But he SWEPT the Magic/Kareem Lakers in 1983. Swept them. Kicked Kareem's ass so badly that he got his regularly scheduled Moses Malone Migraine. His offensive rebounding totals are insane, as if he was actually playing a different game than every other player who played basketball after 1974. Most career Offensive Rebounds:</p><table class="suppress_glossary suppress_csv sortable stats_table now_sortable" data-cols-to-freeze="0" id="tot" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-spacing: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 0.785714em;"><tbody><tr data-row="0" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">1.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonmo01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Moses Malone</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">7382</td></tr><tr data-row="1" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">2.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Artis Gilmore</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4816</td></tr><tr data-row="2" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">3.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parisro01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Robert Parish</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4598</td></tr><tr data-row="3" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willibu01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Buck Williams</a></td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4526</td></tr><tr data-row="4" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">5.</td><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rodmade01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Dennis Rodman</a>*</td><td style="background-color: #ffff88; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4329</td></tr><tr data-row="5" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">6.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barklch01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Charles Barkley</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4260</td></tr><tr data-row="6" style="vertical-align: top;"><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">7.</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">Shaquille O'Neal</a>*</td><td style="border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(116, 118, 120) rgb(221, 221, 221) rgb(221, 221, 221); border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; padding: 4px 3px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;">4209</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But Moses drops a spot anyway because I am going to elevate an existing player on my 2018 list a couple spots. I will blame this on Moses's rather pedestrian advanced stats (he is something like 40th in VORP), but it is really a decision to give a different player more credit.</p><p>18) Hakeem Olajuwon - also a victim of re-ranking. A truly great player (MVP, 2X Finals MVP, 6x first team All-NBA). His MVP placements aren't super great (1-2-4-4-5-5-7) and his playoff record is pretty poor other than the two title years. He tends to be a little overrated on most boards. If you go through his WS/WS/48, BPM, VORP, Adjusted shooting, etc. you aren't seeing a top 10 or top 12 all-time player. </p><p>17) Julius Erving - As always with Doc, it depends upon how you evaluate those ABA years. But having had three years to think about it, I am moving him up.</p><p>If you give full credit, he has 4 MVPs and 9x All-League, so imagine Rick Barry with 4 MVPs. His MVP placements are 1-1-1-1-2-2-3-5-5-6. TEN times in the top 6 and nine times in the top 5. And then you ask what people at the time felt. Well, Kareem and he made the 35th Anniversary team in 1980. So, as of 1980, he was regarded as one of the 11 best players of all-time. This ranking came from people who had actually seen him play. From 1974 to 1986, Julius Erving won more professional basketball games than any other player and played in the Finals 6 times, winning three titles. Look, I am just going to move him up. You can say I am giving him 50% credit for the ABA or 40% or 67%. Who cares? He is 17th.</p><p><br /></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-38253786005808537612021-04-09T09:58:00.003-06:002021-04-09T14:05:28.266-06:00April 2021 - Players 25 to 23<p> 25. James Harden - an 11 spot move up in 3 years for the bulky and bearded one. Harden, based solely upon regular season performance, is a top 20 player. Has an MVP, He is 6x First team All-NBA and is shooting for 7. He has finished in the Top 3 of MVP balloting 5 times (1-2-2-2-3 plus he has a 5th). He has led the league in scoring. He has led the league in assists. He has a +11 net rating. He has an adjusted shooting of over +2,200. He has 142 WS playing at a .226 rate. He has a 68 VORP, playing at a 6.9 BPM. Players who have done that through their first 13 years? Kareem, Michael, LeBron, David Robinson, Chris Paul, Magic Johnson. </p><p>Now, Harden has reached one Finals and crapped the bed there as a young player, and his playoff stats are nowhere near as good as his regular season stats. His style of play is virtually unwatchable (of his plus 2,200 adjusted shooting, 80% of it is due to free throws). When you reach this point, you are competing against a ton of guys with multiple MVP and multiple Finals MVPs and multiple titles. And you are also competing against guys who have 170-200 Win Shares. But much as I despise him, I will move Harden all of the way up here.</p><p>24. Steph Curry - an 11 spot move up in 3 years for Curry. He now has 109 Win Shares and has added a 3rd first-team All-NBA. He has MVP placements of 1-1-5-6-6. His adjusted shooting is 2,230 (he is the flip of Harden - 80% of Steph's plus is NOT free throws). He was unanimous MVP, the key player on three Finals teams and winner of one of those. He was the second banana to Durant on two more title teams. So, he has 5 Finals and has won 3. Most players never reach 5 Finals. His lack of a Finals MVP and his humiliating loss to Kyrie Irving are pretty bad demerits. He is 63rd in WS and 30th in VORP. His longevity marks are not great. Now, by 2024 will he put up 40 more Win Shares and 15 more VORP and deserve to be considered a Top 15 player? Maybe, but that is not the way I would bet. Again, let's step back from "the Warriors are a dynasty" talk and consider his stats versus Cousy and Nash. Nash has 2 MVPs and a 2nd, I have him at 36. Cousy has 6 titles, an MVP and 10 first team all-NBAs. I have him 32. I think, if anything, I am giving Curry a bit too much credit up here at 24. But I will stick with 24 for now. He can reapply in 3 years.</p><p>23. Dirk Nowitzki - now, Dirk was only 4x first-team All-NBA, but his MVP placements are 1-3-3-6-7. Here are his Win Share placements for a 10 year stretch.</p><table class="no_columns" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto; width: 345.6px;"><tbody><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2000-01 NBA</a> 14.6 (2nd)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2001-02 NBA</a> 13.4 (3rd)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2002-03 NBA</a> 16.1 (2nd)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2004_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2003-04 NBA</a> 11.5 (6th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2004-05 NBA</a> 15.6 (2nd)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2005-06 NBA</a> 17.7 (1st)</td></tr><tr class="first_place"><td class="single" style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2007_leaders.html" style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">2006-07 NBA</a> 16.3 (1st)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2008_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2007-08 NBA</a> 12.9 (7th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2009_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2008-09 NBA</a> 10.9 (9th)</td></tr><tr><td class="single" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2010_leaders.html" style="color: #3344dd; touch-action: manipulation;">2009-10 NBA</a> 12.3 (5th)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>His longevity is astounding - 8th in Win Shares, 9th in VORP, 6th in points, 27th in rebounds. 4th in games played. He has a regular MVP, a Finals MVP and but for a fouling festival against DWade would have had 2 titles and 2 FMVPs. One of only 3 players to put up 5 playoff WS in a season (2006). Plus 2,300 adjusted shooting. On a per-minute basis, Harden and Curry have had better career numbers, but Dirk has almost double Curry's WS and about 70 more WS than Harden. 12 players have 23 WS and 11 VORP in the playoffs. Dirk is one (Curry and Harden are not). </p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-83861268106032319082021-04-08T17:11:00.002-06:002021-05-05T14:15:49.834-06:00April 2021 - Players 29 to 26<p> 29. Chris Paul - Chris Paul's Advanced Stat numbers are simply silly. Ridiculous. Whatever term you want to use and say, "I cannot believe how good they are." Net Rating - plus 17 (122/105). PER - 25. Win Shares - 187 and counting. WS/48 - .241. BPM - 7.4. VORP - 88.4. I mean, the WORST placement he has in these stats is 11th (Win Shares) all of the way up to 4th (WS/48).</p><p>He is the Karl Malone of guards in that his advanced stats in the regular season place him in a strata of players that rank WAY higher on the list (Jerry West, Magic, Kobe, Oscar).</p><p>But ooooh, that playoff resume is pretty bad. AND his All-NBA and MVP placements are not what you think they would be. (4x First Team, 2-3-4-5-6-6-7-7). Probably should have been 2008 MVP, and his 2009 numbers were second only to one of LeBron's best seasons.</p><p>28. John Stockton - There may come a time when I move CP3 above him. That time will have to be 2024, because it isn't today. Stockton is a wildly underappreciated player, as is evidenced by his 2x first-team All-NBA and his MVP placements of 7-8-9-10-11-12. I mean, come on. His team won 55 games a year and made the NBA Finals twice. It was him and Malone, and he certainly has a lot better argument to be Malone's equal than Pippen had to be Jordan's. All-time steals and assists leader and it isn't close. Excellent defender. 208 Win Shares. Top 10 in BPM, VORP, top 20 in WS/48.</p><p>Net Rating plus 17, adjusted shooting +2,500, 13 seasons with 10+ Win Shares (only Karl, LeBron and Kareem have more such seasons). If there is a tiebreaker - I kind of like John Stockton, and I really despise Chris Paul.</p><p>27. Rick Barry -- I will concede that Barry is a personal favorite. 9x All-NBA or All-ABA. He lost a season and a half due to fighting antitrust rules. MVP placements - 2-4-4--5-5-5. He was almost always regarded as a top 5 players AND PEOPLE DESPISED HIM. I mean, think James Harden level of annoyance plus even more of an asshole. The all-time leader in Finals PPG. His 1974-75 season where he led his team to a sweep of the heavily favored Bullets in the Finals is just a slight level below the top 10 overall seasons of all-time (3rd in WS and BPM, won Finals MVP). His advanced numbers are not great, more befitting someone in the 30-50 range of players. But Rick Barry was insanely good. Everyone knew it. He was always all-league (9x) and regularly top 5 MVP. You could argue for lower, so go ahead and make your own list.</p><p>26. Elgin Baylor -- if you look really hard at Elgin Baylor's career, there are two time periods - the first 5 years where he just was insanely good (3-5-3-4-2 in MVP placement) and then the rest where he was still 1st team All-NBA 5 more times. His Advanced Stats are about like guys who I considered and rejected back in the 50-60 range. From 1960 to 1963 he led the playoffs in scoring every year and averaged around 35-15-4 in the playoffs. He lost games due to military service, and he had substantial injuries. But he was 10X All-NBA and the next guy you will see on the list at 10X is MUCH higher than Elgin. Only Cousy and Barry behind him are comparable. </p><p>So, we see that we have reached the Top 25 and we do not yet have Harden or Curry. Will they be ##1 and 2 overall? Is it over for Jordan at the top? </p><p>We shall see. There is a long time left in April.</p><p>Hoops Maven </p><p><br /></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-22349497241492442292021-04-08T10:07:00.000-06:002021-04-08T10:07:01.567-06:00My April 2021 Top 36 Professional Basketball Players of All-Time. Numbers 36 to 30<p> 36. Steve Nash -- Nash edges out all of the great players I have identified in my run-up to the Top 36 primarily because he won 2 MVPs and then finished 2nd (in a year he arguably was better than his MVP years). Nash was a remarkable offensive player - top 20 all-time in Offensive Win Shares, Offensive Rating, Offensive Box Plus-Minus. 36th in VORP, 41st in Win Shares. So he has a ridiculously high peak and excellent longevity. His adjusted shooting was over 2,000, meaning as a shooter (ignoring his assists) he was far more accurate and impactful than league average.</p><p>Plus he always wins all Twitter polls I ever post, so people perceive him as a great player. Not that this is worth much, but when you are fighting for that last spot....</p><p>Why not higher? Only 3x All-NBA and one of the absolutely worst defenders of all-time.</p><p>35. Gary Payton - I am sorry, NBA Champion Gary Payton (2006 Miami). He also has 2x Western Conference titles. Payton is 28th all-time in Win Shares and 26th all-time in VORP. He has EIGHTEEN All-NBA designations (9x 1st team all-defense and 9x All-NBA (2-5-2). One of the greatest defenders of all-time. The Glove. While never top 2 in MVP (3-6-6-6-6-6) he was 6 times deemed a top 6 player by MVP voters (more than Wade, more than Pippen, more than Havlicek).</p><p>34. Patrick Ewing - Patrick Ewing was only 1x First-Team All-NBA, and his best MVP placements are 4-4-4-5-5-5. But his FIVE second-team All-NBAs were to Hakeem (3x) and David Robinson (2x) who, spoiler alert, are in my Top 20 players. So if the league had two centers like it had two guard and two forwards on All-NBA, Ewing would be 6x 1st team. His Knicks blew before he got there and he led them into a consistent power. If John Starks doesn't completely crap the bed in Game 7 1994, Ewing has a title and ESPN does a special on his Knicks instead of Hakeem's Rockets.</p><p><br /></p><p>33. Dwyane Wade - Wade is, perhaps, a cautionary tale of rating guys too high assuming that they will have a reasonable run-out to their careers. I had him higher in 2015, and he is sinking, and by 2024 he may be the last one thrown overboard as the young guys enter the list. Wade was only 2x 1st team All-NBA. His best MVP placements are 3-5-6-7-8, which is remarkable because, if anything, I have always found that people tend to overrate Wade as a player (so you'd expect his awards to be higher). That said, he is a 3x champions and is top 25 in the stats that reward high usage players (PER, OBPM, VORP). He was an excellent defender when healthy. 22 Playoff Win Shares and 12 Playoff VORP.</p><p>32. Bob Cousy - Now, as the years have gone by, people have run down Bob Cousy due to his poor Advanced Stats and his low shooting percentages. His Adjusted Shooting (shooting versus league average) is better than either Isiah Thomas's or Jason Kidd's. He won 6 titles. We was 10x first-team All-NBA. His MVP placements are 1-3-4-4-6-6 which is remarkable for a point guard. He led the regular season in assists 8x, the playoffs 8x. He led the playoffs in points per game 3 times and once scored 50 points in a playoff game. He would have led the playoffs in PPG five times, but twice his team did not play enough games for him to qualify. Imagine 50 years from now if Steph Curry is considered and people say, "Well, gee, who did he play against?" Cousy v. Curry - 6 titles to 3; 10 All-NBAs to 3, led playoffs in scoring and assists more often. I mean, he probably has an argument for higher than Top 32. But I will concede that his advanced and shooting numbers are not the greatest and I will drop him off here.</p><p>31. Scottie Pippen -- 3x First team All-NBA, 6 titles, 8x 1st team All-Defense. Despite playing much of his career with Jordan, finished 3-5-7-9 in MVP. Basically Gary Payton with 6 titles. I never liked the guy, and I really still don't. But as Charlie Daniels Band used to say, "You play pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil his due...."</p><p>30. John Havlicek - It would be his 81st birthday today. Hondo, like Cousy, really doesn't have the advanced stats or shooting stats to justify this high of a placement. Like Pippen, however, he has titles - 8 in his case. From 1969 to 1974, Havlicek was probably the second best non-center in the NBA (Jerry West - spoiler alert, West much higher up the list). He was 11x All-NBA (4x first, 7x second). Counting 1st and 2nd teams, Hondo is 19x some sort of All-NBA (11X All-League, 8x All-Defense).</p><p><br /></p><p>UPDATE NOTE - </p><p>As you can see from comparing the old and new listings, Harden and Curry have moved ahead of these 7 guys. How far can they rise? Stay tuned.</p><p>Hoops Maven</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-37903699565724007472021-03-31T10:32:00.001-06:002021-03-31T12:25:26.309-06:00All That Work, and We End Up With the Same 36 Guys<span style="font-size: medium;">Much like Richard Gere and Kim Basinger, I have reached my Final Analysis and that is that I cannot add Artis Gilmore to my Top 36 list and kick someone off.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gilmore has a better career than Patrick Ewing if you give ABA stats and honors 100% credit, but certainly not a better NBA career. Artis entered the league at age 27 after some dominant ABA years, and he certainly deserves some credit for those years. But as I have said with Dr. J., can you really give full 100% credit for ABA years? I cannot. George McGinnis was co-MVP of the ABA in 1975 (with Doc). McGinnis entered the NBA at age 25 and had like 2 good years. I just think that ABA stats and accomplishments need to be discounted somewhat. Gilmore's time in the NBA he was basically a mid-level all-star (8th to 15th best player in the league). I believe he was always grossly underrated (took him 23 years to get into the HOF), but Top 36? I just cannot pull the trigger. While it is very, very, very close for me, I leave off Artis Gilmore again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I predict all of this hand wringing will be largely forgotten by 2024. By April 2024, Giannis, Kawhi, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook probably join the party and move out the bottom 4 guys, meaning if you are fighting for spots 37-33 now, your fighting days are probably over if and when I turn 60.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">OK - Meet the new bosses, same as the old bosses. In alphabetical order, the Top 36 as of April 2021:</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</div><div>Charles Barkley</div><div>Rick Barry</div><div>Elgin Baylor</div><div>Larry Bird</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Kobe Bryant</div><div>Wilt Chamberlain</div><div>Bob Cousy</div><div>Steph Curry</div><div>Tim Duncan</div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Durant</div><div>Julius Erving</div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Patrick Ewing</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Kevin Garnett</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">James Harden</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">John Havlicek</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">LeBron James</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Magic Johnson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Jordan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">George Mikan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Karl Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Moses Malone</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Steve Nash</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dirk Nowitzki</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hakeem Olajuwon</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaquille O'Neal</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Chris Paul</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Gary Payton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bob Pettit</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Scottie Pippen</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">David Robinson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Oscar Robertson</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Bill Russell</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">John Stockton</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Dwyane Wade </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jerry West</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">9 Centers</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Power Forwards</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Small Forwards</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5 Shooting guards (I put West here)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">8 Point Guards</span></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-211323489804212982021-03-28T15:58:00.003-06:002021-03-28T16:00:51.487-06:00Kahwi Doesn't Make the Top 36<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Having Gilmore, Payton, Nash, Ewing and Kawhi Leonard left, I have to drop Kawhi. He has a good argument for Top 36 based primarily on his 2 FMVPs and his 20 playoff Win Shares and 10 playoff VORP. That said, however, he will enter April with under 85 Win Shares. He has never been MVP. His best MVP placements are 2-3-5-9-10. He is a 5x all-star and 2x first-team All-NBA.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He would be at or near the very bottom of the Top 36 in virtually every regular season category I look at. When I look at someone like Gary Payton - Kawhi is a better per-minute player, but he has 60 fewer Win Shares, 4 fewer all-star seasons, the same number of first team All-NBAs, and Gary has 9x first-team all-defense to Leonard's 3.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The most comparable player, if Leonard stopped playing today, would be Willis Reed (MVP, 2 FMVPs 75 Win Shares). And I just hate going backwards on a guy. When I put Curry "in" in 2018, he had 2 MVPs, two titles and 93 WS. He had a superior resume to Leonard's by a little, and he really almost did not make it in 2018. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So - Leonard is out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We have 37 left. The 36 from 2018 and Artis Gilmore. So I need to take the next 3 days and see if Gilmore should be in and one of Payton/Nash/Ewing should be out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We may end up with the exact same Top 36 as 2018, just re-ranked. I couldn't add Kawhi (think Reed) or Westbrook (think Iverson), or Giannis (think young McAdoo), or Anthony Davis (think Neil Johnston or Dolph Schayes).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is not to say that these 4 guys cannot add 30 Win Shares and some All-NBAs and titles by April 2024, but they are just not there yet. There is no shame in being a top 40-50-60 player for now. Your goal ought to be to earn your spot, not be given it in the hopes that you can prove yourself later.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">HM </span></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-60270087862532048222021-03-23T16:22:00.005-06:002021-03-23T16:22:59.753-06:0033 Guys In the Safe Pile<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Abdul-Jabbar</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Barkley</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Barry</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Baylor</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bird</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bryant</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Chamberlain </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Cousy</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Curry</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Duncan</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Durant</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Erving</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Garnett</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Harden</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Havlicek</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">James</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Magic Johnson</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Jordan</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Karl Malone</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moses Malone</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mikan</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nowitzki</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Olajuwon</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O'Neal</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pettit</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pippen</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robinson</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robertson</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Russell</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stockton</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wade</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">West</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p>Fight for the Final 3 - Ewing, Gilmore, Leonard, Nash, Payton</p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-22436583024124763962021-03-23T16:10:00.001-06:002021-04-16T10:14:52.325-06:00Let's Save 5 and cut 5, leave 5 to be ranked<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We will cut (italics) Kidd (shooting mostly), Howard (BPM, short peak), Drexler (All-NBA shortfall), Gervin (advanced stats) and Schayes (failure to make 35th anniversary team hurts, never MVP). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We will move (bold) Cousy, Havlicek, Pippen, Paul and Wade into the safe pile. Mostly titles, except for Paul, who if he had Wade's titles would be a top 10 player based upon advanced stats.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There remains 4 guys from which we will choose 2 to cut - Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Ewing, Steve Nash, Gary Payton and Artis Gilmore.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1) Kawhi Leonard - +18 Net Rating, 81/.221, 6.8/39</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Adj. shooting + 880</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2 titles, 2 FMVPs, 2x/2x, 2/3/5/9/10</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) Bob Cousy - 91.1 WS/.139, 6 Titles, 1 MVP, 1/3/4/4/6/6/8 10x 1st Team</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>3) George Gervin - +5 Net Rating, 116/.157, 2.5/40.1</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Adj. Shooting +1700</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>5x/4x 2/2/3/5/6/9</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>4) Dwyane Wade - +5 Net Rating</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>+605 Adj Shooting, 3 titles, FMVP</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>121/.162, 5.0/62.8</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2x/3x/3x, 3/5/6/7/8/10/10</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>5) Scottie Pippen - +6 Net Rating, 125/.146, 4.1/63.2</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>6 titles, 3x/2x/2x, 3/5/7/9/10</b></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">6) Patrick Ewing +7 Net Rating, 126/.150, 2.9/50.1</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1x/6x 4/4/4/5/5/5/8</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">7) Steve Nash + 7 Net Rating, 130/.164, 3.0/48.2</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">3x/2x/2x, 1/1/2/8/9/9/11</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>8) John Havlicek - 131/.136 Adjusted shooting negative</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>8 titles, 4x/7x 4/5/6/7/9/10/10</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>9) Clyde Drexler - +9 Net Rating, 136 WS/.173, 5.4BPM, 70.2 VORP</i></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>1x/2x/2x -- MVP 2/5/6/10 1 Title</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>10) Dwight Howard - Plus 10 Net Rating, 136/.172 2.0/38.2</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 title, 5x/1x/2x, 2/4/4/5/7</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>11) Jason Kidd -- +5 Net Rating, 139/.133, 3.8/73.4</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Adj. shooting -800, 5x/1x, 1 title</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>2/5/8/8/9/11</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>12) Dolph Schayes - 142/.192, Adj Shooting + 1322</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>6x/6x 2/4/5/6/8/8</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">13) Gary Payton +5 Net Rating, 145/.148, 3.3/62.5</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2x/5x/2x (9x all-D), 3/6/6/6/6/6/9/9 </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>14) Chris Paul +17 Net Rating, 185/.242, 7.4/87.9</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Adj. shooting +1300</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>4x/4x/1x 2/3/4/5/6/6/7/7</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">15) Artis Gilmore +14 Net Rating 190/.193, 3.1/51.6</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Title, 1 MVP, 5x 1st ABA, 1/2/4/8/8/10</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-17621741667707924342021-03-23T15:35:00.000-06:002021-03-23T15:35:16.905-06:00Moving From 50 Down to 43<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>We are going to drop 7. Goodbye to-</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Giannis</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Willis Reed</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Anthony Davis</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Neil Johnston</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Allen Iverson</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Walt Frazier</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Elvin Hayes.</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>The At-Risk Pile, Listed By Fewest to Most WS:</b></u> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Italics means you are gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Antetokounmpo +11 Net Rating, 72WS/.185 WS48, 5.3BPM, 34.1 VORP</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>2x First Team, MVP - 1/1/6/7</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Reed 75/.156, Adjusted shooting + 651</i></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>MVP, 2x FMVP, 2 titles, 1x/4x, 1/2/4</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Leonard - +18 Net Rating, 81/.221, 6.8/39</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Adj. shooting + 880</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2 titles, 2 FMVPs, 2x/2x, 2/3/5/9/10</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Davis - +14 Net Rating, 86WS/.218, 6.3 BPM, 39.7 VOR</span><span style="font-size: large;">P</span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>4X 1st team, 3/5/6/9, 1 Title</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Cousy - 91.1 WS/.139, 6 Titles, 1 MVP, 3/4/4/6/6/8 10x 1st Team</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>N. Johnston - 92/,241 Adj Shooting +1600</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>4x/1x 1 title 4th in career WS/48, led league in WS 5x</i></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Iverson - Minus 1 net rating, 99/.126, 3.2/49.7</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>3x/3x/1x, 1/4/5/6/7/9/10</i></span></p><p><i><br /></i></p></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Frazier - +6 Net Rating, 114/.176 </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>4x/2x 4/6/7/11 2 titles, FMVP</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Gervin - +5 Net Rating, 116/.157, 2.5/40.1</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Adj. Shooting +1700</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5x/4x 2/2/3/5/6/9</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wade - +5 Net Rating</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">+605 Adj Shooting, 3 titles, FMVP</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">121/.162, 5.0/62.8</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hayes 121/.116</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 title 3x/3x 3/3/5/7/8/10</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Pippen - +6 Net Rating, 125/.146, 4.1/63.2</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">6 titles, 3x/2x/2x, 3/5/7/9/10</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ewing +7 Net Rating, 126/.150, 2.9/50.1</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1x/6x 4/4/4/5/5/5/8</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Nash + 7 Net Rating, 130/.164, 3.0/48.2</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">3x/2x/2x, 1/1/2/8/9/9/11</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Havlicek - 131/.136 Adjusted shooting negative</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8 titles, 4x/7x 4/5/6/7/9/10/10</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Drexler - +9 Net Rating, 136 WS/.173, 5.4BPM, 70.2 VORP</span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1x/2x/2x -- MVP 2/5/6/10 1 Title</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Howard - Plus 10 Net Rating, 136/.172 2.0/38.2</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1 title, 5x/1x/2x, 2/4/4/5/7</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Kidd -- +5 Net Rating, 139/.133, 3.8/73.4</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Adj. shooting -800, 5x/1x, 1 title</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2/5/8/8/9/11</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Schayes - 142/.192, Adj Shooting + 1322</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">6x/6x 2/4/5/6/8/8</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Payton +5 Net Rating, 145/.148, 3.3/62.5</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2x/5x/2x (9x all-D), 3/6/6/6/6/6/9/9 </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Paul +17 Net Rating, 185/.242, 7.4/87.9</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Adj. shooting +1300</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">4x/4x/1x 2/3/4/5/6/6/7/7</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Gilmore +14 Net Rating 190/.193, 3.1/51.6</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Title, 1 MVP, 5x 1st ABA, 1/2/4/8/8/10</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-6657923447156880742021-03-23T13:01:00.001-06:002021-03-23T13:03:34.774-06:00Stopping at 50, Taking Stock<p><span style="font-size: medium;">When you reach 50 guys for 36 spots, it is a good idea to stop and say, "Hey, let's do a reality check and see if what I have left is similar to what someone else has." If all 50 are the same, you are probably cheating/plagiarizing. If 30 of 50 are the same, whatever source you are using is wildly wrong...or you are.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For my reality check, I used ESPN's last Top 74 list. We have 43 the same. 7 different. Now, what I am evaluating (best performance, best career) is slightly different from what ESPN said its folks were evaluating (you get one guy at his absolute best, who do you take). But I don't really think that is what ESPN was doing. You take ABA MVP Doc or 1983 MVP Moses and they are not top 5? You take Shaq the one year he got in shape and he isn't a top 5 player? I think they sort of used the "best at his peak" stuff as a tiebreaker for tough calls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, the 7 different folks:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>ESPN has and I do not</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wes Unseld</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Reggie Miller</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bill Walton</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nique</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Westbrook</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">McHale</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Isiah Thomas</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>I Have and They Do Not</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Gary Payton</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Clyde Drexler</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Willis Reed</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Neil Johnston</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Artis Gilmore</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dwight Howard</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dolph Schayes</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am perfectly happy with my guys as opposed to their guys. They have 3 MVPs, I have 2. They have 9 First-Team All-League awards, I have 24(!). They have 8 titles and I have 8 titles. I am more than happy with my 7 versus their 7.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, I am happy with my 50 to pick from. Now we have to find a way to sort. Well, I am not dropping any of my top 26 guys from April 2018 down by more than 10 spots. There haven't been that many great new players in 3 years, and I am not going to admit I was that far off in 2018. Harden and Curry have had 3 good years and have cemented their spots (probably moving up), so they go into the safe pile. That gives me as "safe" pile of 28 guys:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #dddd99; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">James Harden </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Steph Curry </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John Stockton Rick</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Barry</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Elgin Baylor </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dirk Nowitzki </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Kevin Durant </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Kevin Garnett</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Charles Barkley </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Julius Erving </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Moses Malone </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hakeem Olajuwon</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bob Pettit </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">David Robinson </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">George Mikan </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Karl Malone</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Kobe Bryant </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Oscar Robertson </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jerry West </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Larry Bird</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Shaquille O'Neal </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bill Russell </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Magic Johnson </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tim Duncan</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Wilt Chamberlain </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">LeBron James </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Michael Jordan</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;">The "At Risk" Pile Has 22 Guys fighting for 8 spots:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Steve Nash </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Gary Payton </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Patrick Ewing </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dwyane Wade</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bob Cousy </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Scottie Pippen </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John Havlicek</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Chris Paul</span></span></p><p style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Giannis Antetokounmpo </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Anthony Davis </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Clyde Drexler</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Walt Frazier</span></span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">George Gervin Artis Gilmore </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Elvin Hayes </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Dwight Howard</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allen Iverson Neil Johnston </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Jason Kidd </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Kawhi Leonard</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Willis Reed </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Dolph Schayes</span></span></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-18323905680188876592021-03-23T10:29:00.002-06:002021-03-23T10:29:25.890-06:00Taking It Down from 62 - Gotta Cut to 50<p>Again, not necessarily the Top 50 players of all-time, but these are going to be the 50 guys who have some decent argument of being Top 36, meaning they have to have very high high-end performance numbers and a lot of accolades/awards. </p><p>Out</p><p>Ray Allen - certainly longevity and shooting greatness, two titles, but never above 9th in MVP and never 1st team all-NBA.</p><p>Dave Cowens - look, he was a great player, but he doesn't have 90 WS, the year he was MVP he was named 2nd team All-NBA and never was 1st team, not in Top 100 in WS or VORP, Patrick Ewing has 3 seasons better than Cowens' best WS season.</p><p>Mel Daniels - certainly 2 MVPs and 4 Top 3 finishes in the ABA get him this far, but his 64 WS and pretty poor advanced stats, plus the fact that he was only great for 6 seasons ends his chances</p><p>Billy Cunningham - was ABA MVP and is a great trivia answer due t averaging 20-10-4, but his overall placements and advanced stats aren't up to his 5X all-league placements.</p><p>Ed Macauley - Macauley was on the 25th anniversary team and has an amazing .196 WS/48 (25th best ever). He has great shooting numbers. His problem is his resume does not quite match up with his contemporaries Mikan, Schayes, and Johnston, all of whom will advance while he stays behind.</p><p>Reggie Miller - fabulous advanced stats and adjusted shooting stats, sad to leave him way down here, but I cannot see him as competing for the Top 36 spot when he was never considered a Top 10 player by voters (never Top 10 MVP, never 1st or 2nd team All-NBA).</p><p>Robert Parish - His longevity stats are frightening, and I think a good argument could be made that while McHale was wildly overrated Parish was wildly underrated as a player. 3 titles. That said, never first-team All-NBA and 1X Top 6 MVP. I am cutting league MVPs at this point for not being even better. It doesn't seem right to leave in Parish, though, again, I think his career deserves more love. </p><p>Paul Pierce - wonderful counting stats and wonderful advanced stats (23rd in VORP, 25th in WS). The problem, like with Miller, is he was never an MVP candidate (7th one year) and he was never first team All-NBA (1 2nd, 3 3rds). Sort of pissed away his early career ability, could have been a Top 36 player...is not.</p><p>Isiah Thomas - Net Rating: minus 1 (typical great player, plus 10-15), WS 81 (would be lowest on my 2018 list), adjusted shooting - negative 770. You could overcome all of this if you were like 10X all-NBA and 4x MVP, Isiah is 3x 1st team and never finished Top 4 MVP...ever. He also has just 1 Top 7 MVP placement. Wildly overrated.</p><p>Russell Westbrook - love Russ, but he doesn't have quite the resume I need. He is negative 700 in adjusted shooting, he is 2x 1st team All-NBA, but he does have 5 Top 5 MVP finishes. His zero titles hurt him. Has an argument to cling to the bottom of the top 36 like Nash and Wade and Payton did in 2018, and to be considered after this entry like Kidd and Iverson and Frazier and Gervin (all still alive). When I ran a poll on who should be considered for Top 36 among younger active players, Russ received 0 votes. Still playing, so we will consider him again in 2024 if I am still around. 3 good years could be the charm. </p><p>Wes Unseld - won the MVP his rookie year, key cog to the excellent Bullets teams of the 70s, but he was never again all league and he never again finished Top 7 MVP. Great player, not Top 36.</p><p>Dominique Wilkins - He was only 1x first team All-NBA, but he is lurking around the top 30-40 in advanced stats. Nique is a great scorer and probably deserves more love from me, but we have to start cutting to 50 and then get to 36. He sort of sticks out as a guy to cut. Never a champion, never a conference champion, never appeared in a conference final. Playoff WS/48 of .079. 51st in MVP Award Shares. Just not quite there.</p><p> Remaining 50 Guys</p><p><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #333333; font-family: arial;">1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">2 Giannis Antetokounmpo<br />3 Charles Barkley<br />4 Rick Barry<br />5 Elgin Baylor<br />6 Larry Bird<br />7 Kobe Bryant</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">8 Wilt Chamberlain<br />9 Bob Cousy</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">10 Steph Curry<br />11 Anthony Davis<br />12 Clyde Drexler<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">13 Tim Duncan<br />14 Kevin Durant<br />15 Julius Erving</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">16 Patrick Ewing<br />17 Walt Frazier<br />18 Kevin Garnett<br />19 George Gervin<br />20 Artis Gilmore</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">21 James Harden<br />22 John Havlicek<br />23 Elvin Hayes<br />24 Dwight Howard<br />25 Allen Iverson<br />26 LeBron James<br />27 Magic Johnson<br />28 Neil Johnston</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">29 Michael Jordan<br />30 Jason Kidd</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">31 Add Kawhi Leonard</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">32 Karl Malone<br />33 Moses Malone</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">34 George Mikan</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">35 Steve Nash<br />36 Dirk Nowitzki<br />37 Hakeem Olajuwon<br />38 Shaquille O'Neal</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">39 Chris Paul<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">40 Gary Payton<br />41 Bob Pettit</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">42 Scottie Pippen<br />43 Willis Reed<br />44 Oscar Robertson</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">45 David Robinson</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">46 Bill Russell<br />47 Dolph Schayes<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">48 John Stockton</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">49 Dwayne Wade</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">50 Jerry West</span></div></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13002719.post-77529826185436279652021-03-18T14:21:00.001-06:002021-03-18T14:21:29.880-06:0077 Is Too Many - Let's Pick the Low-Hanging Fruit Down to 62<p>Now, again, these are not the top 62 players of all-time. They are a list of 62 guys that I believe are deserving of some consideration for a top 36 position. Example - Mel Daniels was 2x ABA MVP, we ought to consider him. Same with Unseld and Cowens who were NBA MVPs. In another category, Macauley and Johnston have great resumes, so while they get no love today and played during Ike's Presidency, we ought to look closely at them.</p><p>For this entry, I am going to remove the guys who (obviously in my opinion) have no good argument for Top 36; </p><p>Jimmy Butler (0 1st team All-NBA), </p><p>Pau Gasol (0 MVP votes),</p><p>Rudy Gobert (1 MVP vote),</p><p>Bernard King (not in top 100 in WS or VORP, 75th in BPM)),</p><p>Nikola Jokic (just hasn't played enough, building a great resume, but has a ways to go),</p><p>Damian Lillard (1x first team, never above 4th in MVP),</p><p>Jerry Lucas (never finished above 5th in MVP and only above 9th once),</p><p>Bob McAdoo - 5 great years, not top 100 WS or VORP </p><p>Kevin McHale - 1x First-team All-NBA, 0X 2nd or 3rd team.</p><p>Alonzo Mourning - had 3 exceptional years.</p><p>Dennis Rodman - 2x 3rd team All-NBA, 21 career VORP. Never top 9 in MVP.</p><p>KAT - not belonging in this group at all, 3 excellent years so far, 52 WS.</p><p>Bill Walton - 1.5 great years, 1 very good bench year, not much else.</p><p>James Worthy - probably not a top 100 player, stands out in no positive category</p><p>Paul George - 2 10 Win Shares seasons, but, you know, he isn't a terrible candidate otherwise. I am glad I gave him a look at least.</p><p><br /></p><p>Remaining 62 Guys</p><p><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #333333; font-family: arial;">1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">2 Add - Giannis Antetokounmpo<br />3 Ray Allen<br />4 Charles Barkley<br />5 Rick Barry<br />6 Elgin Baylor<br />7 Larry Bird<br />8 Kobe Bryant</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">9 Wilt Chamberlain<br />10 Bob Cousy</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">11 Add Dave Cowens<br />12 Billy Cunningham<br />13 Steph Curry<br />14 Mel Daniels<br />15 Anthony Davis<br />16 Clyde Drexler<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">17 Tim Duncan<br />18 Kevin Durant<br />19 Julius Erving</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">20 Patrick Ewing<br />21 Walt Frazier<br />22 Kevin Garnett<br />23 George Gervin<br />24 Artis Gilmore</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">25 James Harden<br />26 John Havlicek<br />27 Elvin Hayes<br />28 Dwight Howard<br />29 Allen Iverson<br />30 LeBron James<br />31 Magic Johnson<br />32 Neil Johnston</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">33 Michael Jordan<br />34 Jason Kidd</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">35 Add Kawhi Leonard</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">36 Ed Macauley<br />37 Karl Malone<br />38 Moses Malone</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">39 George Mikan</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">40 Reggie Miller<br />41 Steve Nash<br />42 Dirk Nowitzki<br />43 Hakeem Olajuwon<br />44 Shaquille O'Neal</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">45 Add Robert Parish<br />46 Chris Paul<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">47 Gary Payton<br />48 Bob Pettit</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">49 Add Paul Pierce<br />50 Scottie Pippen<br />51 Willis Reed<br />52 Oscar Robertson</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">53 David Robinson</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-259754682261521317" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">54 Bill Russell<br />55 Dolph Schayes<br /></span><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">56 John Stockton</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">57 Isiah Thomas</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">58 Add Wes Unseld</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">59 Dwayne Wade<br />60 Jerry West<br />61 Russell Westbrook</span></div><div class="content"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: arial;">62 Add Dominique Wilkins</span></div><div class="content"><br /></div></div>HMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425833357318220163noreply@blogger.com0