NBA Players

[MrHyeSev]

Who from the past was your favorite NBA player & why?
Who is your favorite NBA player now & why?



PAST:David Robinson, because he showed class on & off the court & played the game.


PRESENT:Tim Duncan, what can I say, simply amazing
"The Fundamentalist".

[One-Way]

Re: NBA Players

PAST: I was a big fan of Nick Van Exel; the first basketball game I ever saw, Van Exel shot a half court shot and won the game for the Lakers.

PRESENT: Kobe Byrant; he simply is one of the greatest players to play basketball. He's the only one who is comparable to Michael Jordan.

[MrHyeSev]

Re: NBA Players

Kobe is a great player, I admit that
but you cant compare anyone to Jordan.

[Crimson Glow]

Re: NBA Players

Actually, I was thinking about starting a thread like this because it truly saddens me to see how far the NBA has sunken. I used to OBSESSED with the sport, both watching, and playing. But quality basketball ended with the the close of the Jordan era to me, and no, not just because of Michael. The entire 90's era > today's NBA. You could almost close your eyes and pick someone, and that player would probably have more class than the best of today. The rivalries were far more intense (Pistons/Bulls, Bulls/Knicks, etc) because defense used to be FAR more physical. Some of the games resembled boxing matches, but it made for a far more interesting game, where you really had to EARN your points.

The current league basically reminds me of all those punks I used to play against on the blacktop. They'd rather look good and loose than share the limelight and win, and the league has even tailored and encouraged this highlight reel fest. No handchecking (putting the defender at an even greater disadvantage), defender can't be in the lane more than 3 seconds (which pretty much makes a true zone defense impossible), etc. These rules were designed so as to make it easier to create a clear path to the basket, and come up with some monster highlight jam for entertainment. This has also created the illusion that the players are better than they are, which has sparked stupid, ignorant comments by some of the younger fans like "KOBE BRYANT IZ DA GR34T3ST PLAYER EVA!!!111". I'm waiting for the day I return to the blacktop, and some shmuck tells me "you can't touch me, that's handchecking!", at which point, I'll just punch him in the face, and tell him to comeback when he's ready to play like a man, and not some current NBA pansy.

So much has changed that it's disheartening. Players used to come to the game dressed very sharply in nice suits. Now, they come to the games like they're running late from a drive by, and didn't have time to change. There's no motivation to show tact, class, effort or respect towards other players, coaches or referees due to becoming "superstars" right out of the gates. Some blame Michael's fame and enormous pay for this, but those people are forgetting several factors. The first 10 years of Michael's career, he was being paid peanuts compared to what other stars were getting half way through his contract. Secondly, when his initial contract was up, and he got paid $30mil a year for the next 3 years, people are forgetting that's partially for back pay for his previous, "small" (in terms of NBA pay) contract, and also partially for what he did for the game. Fortune magazine estimated that MJ has generated $10 BILLION for the US economy, let alone the NBA. So he EARNED his money, where as today's players are paid on the POTENTIAL that they will be great. Where's the motivation in that? You're going to go home with your $10mil +/yr regardless of whether you live up to that potential, or not. Anyway, I digress.



To stay true to the format the original poster started...

Past: Michael Jordan. Aside from my opinion that he was the greatest ever, he had class off the court, as well. I know he was an egotistical assh0le in person, but at least he tried to present himself in a dignified manner in the media, which, considering he was quite possibly the most popular athlete (if not celebrity) of all time, making him a huge role model, is very important.

Present: Lebron James. I don't like everything about him, but I am pleasently surprised by the way he carries himself in public given his fame, ESPECIALLY being as young as he is/was entering the league. He seems like a genuinely nice and funny guy with enthusiasm for the game.

[One-Way]

Re: NBA Players

Kobe is a great player, I admit that
but you cant compare anyone to Jordan.

Once you get over the idea that Jordan is God, you may think otherwise.

[MrHyeSev]

Re: NBA Players

Did I say Jordan is God?
Don't put words in my mouth...you can't compare someone to him.

Everyone is there own person has there own talents. Remember when the NBA said Harold Minor is the next "Baby Jordan"...how long did that last.

[One-Way]

Re: NBA Players

Did I say Jordan is God?
Don't put words in my mouth...you can't compare someone to him.

Everyone is there own person has there own talents. Remember when the NBA said Harold Minor is the next "Baby Jordan"...how long did that last.

Only an idiot would compare anyone other than the obvious NBA players to Jordan. Kobe has always been compared to him, and now it's clear he may even be surpassing him in some aspects. Why can't anybody compare to Jordan? That's the stupidest and most ignorant thing I've ever heard in my life.

[MrHyeSev]

Re: NBA Players

Surpassing him? Oh please...LOL
you're just saying that because your a FAN of Kobe.

I still stand by my word that Jordan is in his own league.

[Crimson Glow]

Re: NBA Players

If you honestly don't understand why nobody today can compare to Michael Jordan, then you really have no business calling anyone else ignorant. Michael's skills and overall level of mastery of the game cannot be summed up with mere career stats. If you didn't grow up watching the "Jordan Evolution", it will be impossible to explain his development from just a phenomenal individual talent like Kobe is, to understanding the sport inside out. The man owned every aspect of the game by the end of his career, working his way to the top, and once he got there, STAYING there. Even age didn't stop him from dominating the sport while with the Bulls (and he set quite a few records with the Wizards as well, though I wish he never took up that stupid stint), as he used his knowledge and mental edge to make up for his aging physical skills. Kobe is a hall of fame caliber player, and a SUPERB athlete, but he is no where near the same level as Michael Jordan, much less better than him.

Kobe has always been compared to Michael, but so was Harold Minor (who disappeared off the face of the Earth), Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill, LeBron James, etc. There has been a never ending stream of contenders the NBA has tried to market as "the next Jordan". This is ONLY due to the fact that the league needs its next big superstar. Back in the day, Dr. J brought glitz and glamor to the sport. Then the Magic/Bird rivalry really accelerated its popularity. And as the tail end of THEIR career was closing in, Air Jordan shows up, and takes the sport to a whole other level. Unfortunately for the NBA, he set the bar so high that the league just CANNOT live up to it. The ratings for the NBA have dropped 40% over the last decade. That speaks VOLUMES for what people think of basketball today. I mean, that is freaking HUGE!

I was thinking about starting a thread about Jordan's legacy for quite some time now. Perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea, given that continuing a debate about this would be a bit off topic in this thread.

[MrHyeSev]

Re: NBA Players

I stated above that the NBA was calling Harold Minor "Baby Jordan"
but I agree with you 100% Crimson Glow.