Best on the offensive end: LeBron James (honorable mentions: Kobe, Nash, Iverson) Best on the defensive end: probably Alonzo Mourning
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Tim Duncan</div> Yep. He could easily get 30-35 a night, but that's just not him. Dwyane Wade is another i'd think of. Fast becoming another AI in the way he can just get the basket and score so consistently.
Kobe Bryant. Kobe dominates the ball, the offense, the defense. Everything. But if he was on a different team, Tim Duncan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He could easily get 30-35 a night, but that's just not him.</div> co-sign. Duncan IMO, is the most dominant in this league. Kobe would probably be a close second.
when kobe gets hot, he is unstoppable. no matter who you put on him or how many people double him, he will make the shot. shaq used to be the most dominate man, and still is a great player, but he's clearly lost a step
My Laker bias will say Kobe. When he's hot, you can't stop him. He makes the impossible look easy and does it consistently. He plays his heart out every night, and unlike LeBron, he puts forth effort on the defensive side, not just on offense. He's got more moves than most any other wing out there, he can get pretty much any shot he wants, no matter how difficult it may be, and at times his range looks endless.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">My Laker bias will say Kobe. When he's hot, you can't stop him. He makes the impossible look easy and does it consistently. He plays his heart out every night, and unlike LeBron, he puts forth effort on the defensive side, not just on offense. He's got more moves than most any other wing out there, he can get pretty much any shot he wants, no matter how difficult it may be, and at times his range looks endless.</div> Where do you get the idea LeBron doesn't try on defense? Just because he isn't good at it, doesn't mean he's not trying.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Where do you get the idea LeBron doesn't try on defense? Just because he isn't good at it, doesn't mean he's not trying.</div> I have a hard time believing someone who is so athletic, so strong, big, quick, has basketball smarts, can't be a good defensive player.
Maybe it's just me who doesn't see him play great defense. But to me, he's not a very good defender. He doesn't put hardly the amount of effort on that side as Kobe does and to me, his defense is just lackluster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a hard time believing someone who is so athletic, so strong, big, quick, has basketball smarts, can't be a good defensive player.</div> I'm not sure either, but I think he will improve eventually. People are getting on him like how people did back in the 80's with Jordan, and I'm sure LeBron will be motivated to improve. Chris Bosh is athletic, smart and quick, but he isn't that good of a defender either. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe it's just me who doesn't see him play great defense.</div> Uh, no, everyone knows he isn't a good defender.
I thought STC was saying that he thought LBJ was a good defender, hence my last response. Maybe I just read his post in the wrong manner.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe it's just me who doesn't see him play great defense. But to me, he's not a very good defender. He doesn't put hardly the amount of effort on that side as Kobe does and to me, his defense is just lackluster.</div> I agree. He does some things well, but I certainly wouldn't call him a good defensive player. He doesn't have the greatest lateral movement (surprisingly enough) so guys can get past him on the drive, and he tends to lose sight of his man when the ball is elsewhere. He has good anticipation and reflexes, though, which allows him to swoop in for steals and blocks. And because of his size and length, it's difficult to post him up or shoot over him (when he's in position).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought STC was saying that he thought LBJ was a good defender, hence my last response. Maybe I just read his post in the wrong manner.</div> No, I am saying LeBron could and should be a good defender. Their is no reason why he could not be a top defender.
Domination implies physical strength, mental control and superior talent. There are better shooters than Duncan and players who play with great physical power and strength of purpose and mind, but he seems to have captured all these qualities and use them to raise his team to championship level. Controlling the board, making the right pass, making the right decision with the game on the line, I have to go with Duncan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">No, I am saying LeBron could and should be a good defender. Their is no reason why he could not be a top defender.</div> LeBron is built like a tank. He's blazing fast end to end, but on defense the ability to move horizontally is much more important. From what I've seen, that's something he might be lacking.
