Im so sick of hearing the same names over and over again when talking about the history of the game. One name that so often goes without mentioning is that of Oscar Robertson, the Big O. Playing in a day and age where the players made very little money in comparison to todays athletes and played moreso because of their love for the game as opposed to their financial interests, Robertson was one of the best. This man did something that I think is, in my opinion, the greatest thing ever to be accomplished by a single player in this league. Bigger than Wilt's 100 points, bigger than many of the events taken place that overshadow it. I think that hands down the most impressive stat in basketball's history is the 61'-62' season when Robertson had his finest year. He did something that had never been done before and hasnt been done since, he averaged a triple double. Im not sure if today's basketball fans really comprehend that accomplishment. The man AVERAGED a triple double over the course of an entire season, something unimaginable to me. In todays day and age, a triple double is a tremendous achievement that occurs only seldomely (unless, of course, youre Jason Kidd). Vince Carter, for example, recently had his second triple double ofhis career. A career filled with highlights and fanfare, yet he had only managed to get a triple double twice, something that Robertson did 181 times over the course of his career. I think this is absolutely amazing that one man is capable of doing something so impressive. I think people need to realize the things this man did and be more appreceative of his accomplisments and his legacy. He is one of the greatest players to ever have played this game and he did it in a time when racism was incredibly strong. He managed to overcome so much and went on to be extremelly succesfull in his career. Credit needs to be given where its deserved, and the accomplisments of this great player need to be realized and applauded. This man is one of the greatest to perform at the highest level of basketball, and he should be mentioned when people discuss the greats this league has seen over time..As a closing statement, here is that incredible statline where Robertson did the unimaginable over the course of a year..30.8ppg, 12.5rpg, 11.apgOh yeah, and you think players like LeBron had great rookie seasons? Check out how Oscar played in his first year:30 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 9.7 apg
The knacks I have on Oscar is that he was an overrated passer. Yes he averaged 10 assists, but Stephon Marbury averages 8. While Oscar is not as selfish as Marbury or Francis, he definately didn't get 10 assists Steve Nash style. I've seen numerous classic games of him, and from what I've seen he only passed when he needed to. That can be viewed from the other end however, and credit just how great he was at breaking down defences.Also, he wasn't a winner. He had to become a second option to Kareem to win his first Championship. Then again, he was going up against a Boston Celtics team that killed everyone.So his faults can be viewed different ways, but in my case, I see him as an overrated passer who couldn't win. Sill a top 10 player, but I can't compare him with the likes of Bird, Magic, Jordan, Shaq, Russell, Wilt.1. Jordan2. Shaq3. Bird4. Magic5. Russell6. Wilt7. Robertson
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Mar 5 2006, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The knacks I have on Oscar is that he was an overrated passer. Yes he averaged 10 assists, but Stephon Marbury averages 8. While Oscar is not as selfish as Marbury or Francis, he definately didn't get 10 assists Steve Nash style. I've seen numerous classic games of him, and from what I've seen he only passed when he needed to. That can be viewed from the other end however, and credit just how great he was at breaking down defences.Also, he wasn't a winner. He had to become a second option to Kareem to win his first Championship. Then again, he was going up against a Boston Celtics team that killed everyone.So his faults can be viewed different ways, but in my case, I see him as an overrated passer who couldn't win. Sill a top 10 player, but I can't compare him with the likes of Bird, Magic, Jordan, Shaq, Russell, Wilt.1. Jordan2. Shaq3. Bird4. Magic5. Russell6. Wilt7. Robertson</div>I agree that there are players better than him, but generally, the other names you mentioned are much more frequently mentioned than him as well as others who are not nearly as good as he was. From what I have read, he was a passer who could set up his teamattes and had that gift ala Kidd to get the ball to somoene when nobody but that player could get to it. Say what you want, if you average 11 assists, you have to be considered a pretty damn good passer..
Stephon Marbury consistently averages 8, and do people ever say he is a good passer? So while 11 assists is 3 more than Marbury, and while Oscar wasn't as selfish as Marbz (From what I've seen), he wasn't anywhere near the passer Kidd was. And I agree, there are players better, but sometimes he simply gets lost in the mix. I always have him ranked 5th - 9th when I rank players (Changes by the day)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Mar 5 2006, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Stephon Marbury consistently averages 8, and do people ever say he is a good passer? So while 11 assists is 3 more than Marbury, and while Oscar wasn't as selfish as Marbz (From what I've seen), he wasn't anywhere near the passer Kidd was. And I agree, there are players better, but sometimes he simply gets lost in the mix. I always have him ranked 5th - 9th when I rank players (Changes by the day)</div>I agree with your ranking, and he definatly does get left out. I cant say that I have seen too muc of him in action so I cant really argue your Marbury point. Either way, though, 11 assists is an impressive number for anyone to get no matter how they get it. You might be right that he wasnt that great of a passer, I dont know about that, I havent seen alot of footage of him, but regardless, 11 assists is alot for anyone to get..
Oscar Robertson didn't win anything because the Royals were always a poor team and he played when the Celtics were winning the title every year. He might not have been Steve Nash but damn he was an amazing player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Mar 5 2006, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Stephon Marbury consistently averages 8, and do people ever say he is a good passer? So while 11 assists is 3 more than Marbury, and while Oscar wasn't as selfish as Marbz (From what I've seen), he wasn't anywhere near the passer Kidd was. And I agree, there are players better, but sometimes he simply gets lost in the mix. I always have him ranked 5th - 9th when I rank players (Changes by the day)</div>Stephon marbury is a good passer, the reason people never say he's a good passer is because He is one of the worst leaders ever, and it influences how they play on the court, but anyone who says Marbury is a shitty passer is stupid, he runs the fast break well, and sets his teammates up, he never listens to coaches or teammates, and takes stupid shots and plays poor defense. That's why his team never wins, his playmaking ability should never be questioned.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Oscar Robertson didn't win anything because the Royals were always a poor team and he played when the Celtics were winning the title every year</div>What are you talking about?The Royals were a good team. They made the playoffs 5-6 times with him on the team.He also won an NBA title and made it to the finals another time. Making Bob Cousy the headcoach made them suffer a bit but he was luckiley traded away.
The Royals were a good team who could never beat the Celtics or Sixers to get to the next level.Regardless they were a very good team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 5 2006, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Jack Twyman and Jerry Lucas are the only few players that come to mind for the Royals.</div>Yeah, I remember that too, from reading his book..Anybody else read it?
Yeah I did too, thats where I recognized the names from..I thought it was an interesting read, shows he went through alot to get to where he ended up and faced a tremendous amount of racism along the way..
