Here's the initial installment of a continuing series where I try to select the best all-time players at each position, best sixth men and best coaches. Numbers are just a marginal guide. More important in my reckonings are a candidate's off-the-ball play, dominance of his peers and the overall success of his team(s). Of course, comparing players from radically different eras is always a risky business. George Mikan, for example, would be severely drubbed in one-on-one battles versus the likes of Shaq, Wilt and Kareem. Despite that fact, Mikan can arguably be seen as the most influential player of his time, and his Minneapolis Lakers were the NBA's first dynasty. So the intent here is more mindful of the total NBA historical continuum than dependant on today's existential realities. It's likewise important to note the variances in styles of play over the last 60 seasons ? pre-shot-clock and post-shot-clock, the twin-towers concept and small-ball strategies, as well as the different demands made on players by their respective teams. Despite these inexact specifications, the players in each category will be competitively ranked. POINT GUARDS 1. ? OSCAR ROBERTSON The Big O was equally as versatile as Magic and nearly as strong. Indeed, Robertson's talents covered the entire scope and possibilities of the game. He could do everything at the highest level ? rebound, pass, set picks, dribble, box out, run and shut anyone down on defense. In 1961-62, Robertson averaged a triple-double ? 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists. He wasn't boasting when he said, years later, "If I had known it was such a big deal, I would've averaged a triple-double for my entire career." He understood every nuance of the game and demanded the same perfection from his teammates. Robertson was also a fierce and ruthless competitor. What did he lack? Three-point range, only because the 3-ball hadn't been instituted. And according to Nate Thurmond, "Oscar couldn't fly, but he did everything else better than Michael Jordan." Whatever the position, whatever the standards of the era, Oscar Robertson was the most perfect basketball player ever. http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3734262
yea... he probably was the best in that era... but with all the defensive sets, athletic and agile defenders (B.Wallace, Garnett, Duncan), it's hard for us to see the great scorers put up huge numbers like Oscar did. What if Ray Allen, Iverson, Kobe, T-Mac had played in that era with the skills they possess?
They would maybe not have possesed the skills they have today if they were in the fifties era. It is because of others that innovated the game, that these players today learned from them and are immensley more talented than these of basketball's past. Speaking of best PG ever, I could take the Big O. He had the size at 6'5(correct?) which IMO at the PG position is a very versatile size. Give him 4 of NBA history's best to team up with and he'd easily be the best PG ever. At the moment, my favorite PG in the NBA is Livingston. I'd like to see him blossom into one of the best if not the best PGs ever. I think for that to happen, he'll have to leave Clip town, and go somewhere like Cleveland.
I think it's between the Big O and Magic. They were both such great players that it's hard to chose. However, I would say Magic.
IMO, Bob Cousy is the best Point guard of All-Time. He created flashy play and revolutionized the fast break. Cousy is also the winningest Point Guard of All-Time.
I wanted to pick Magic, but he's 6'9. He'd have trouble guarding the likes of Cousy and Robertson. I like Cousy, but I prefer Robertson's scoring ability. I like all 5 players being able to score. I love watching old footage of Cousy driving defenders crazy, and he did it all without changing hands..
I feel it's pretty much impossible to compare point guards from different eras. Because you dont know how Robertson would play against todays competion and how magic would play against competion back then. But since Robertson averaged a triple double for one season im going to have to go with him.
I know it is diffluct to compare players from different eras. Even if Bill Russell beat Wilt a number of times and won 11/13 titles, would he have done the same today with the likes of Tim Duncan, Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal? Russ was 6'9. I have no doubt Russ would have won a title or two, but 11 out of 13? That's more dominant than Jordan himself. Magic Johnson would make a very excellent 6th man, because of his versatility, being able to play the 1-5 positions would drive opposing teams crazy.
Truth is, today's players couldn't play back then because of the simple fact that the rules were radically different. My boy AI would be called for traveling and palming, and etc.. I think today's shooters could definitely survive in the back-then, even though there was no three point line. Peja, Ray-ray, and all them guys could play if they tweaked their game.
Yeah, true. The rules are different. When Pistol Pete Maravich started doing things in the NBA, refs would call him for something, traveling or carrying or whatever they thought they saw. Pistol Pete would argue with them, "How can you call something you've never seen before?".
