I was watching Game 4 of the 1992 Western Conference Semi-Finals today (Phoenix vs Portland) and noticed just how good guys like Clyde Drexler and Kevin Johnson were. Since I wasn't alive in the 80's or the early 90's, I was wondering which one of Drexler, Dominique Wilkins and George Gervin was the best? They all played in the MJ/Magic/Bird era so you don't hear about them as much but from what I understand they were all great players. Any of you guys who were alive and watching basketball back then, your opinion would be appreciated. Also, how well would they do in today's league? How do they compare to today's top swingmen?
I didn't get to see Gervin play and I am a huge Portland fan so I can't really talk fairly about Clyde vs Dominique. I really didn't watch Atlanta much but boy oh boy dude wasn't nicknamed the human highlight film for nothing. My personal belief is that Clyde could have actually been better than he was. He was so freaking physically gifted that it was amazing. He could dribble the ball with his head down and blow by people trying to run with him. If he hadn't had such a flat trajectory ugly ass jumpshot he could have been top five all time. I heard a story on the radio once about how Clyde got his flat jump shot. It was something to do with him having a little back patio with a hoop and he would shoot the ball flat so it would come back to him...something like that, it was many years ago.
I think Drexler was better than Wilkins, though I never got to see Gervin play. Everything I have heard about Gervin was that he was one of a kind though. So I'll say Gervin.
I don't really know who was better, Dominique had some crazy playoff battles with Larry Bird where he was just unstoppable. Clyde could really fly though.
