This thread probably re-appears every year, but it's slow at the moment, and we have only non-Blazer teams to watch, so... I have to say I've always loved watching Ginobili (except when he was killing the Pistons, [second-fave team at the time] in the finals, when he had the long hair in an attempt to hide his incipient bald-spot). And I don't care how many people say that Rondo is an asshole, he's a MAGNIFICENT asshole, and he totally brings it in the playoffs. Those two are in the overlap between "fun to watch" and "wish they were on the Blazers". Players that are in the former but not the latter might be people like Monta Ellis and (in the old days) another GState second-rounder, Gilbert Arenas. For completely different reasons I also enjoy watching Luis Scola, because he has awesome moves for a comparatively short unathletic ugly white guy. Watching him dominate international competitions is a trip. In the "wish they were on the Blazers" circle alone would be people like Joakim Noah and Anderson Varejao because they're great +/- guys, and also because that would mean I wouldn't have to watch such annoying players on the other team. I'm torn on James Harden. I think if he wasn't on the Thunder (a team that I loathe so much I actually found myself rooting for the Lakers) I think I would like him: he's quirky, smart and a lot like Ginobili (not as flashy). But I don't like the fact that so much of his offense is drawing fouls. I like Dragic when he's on a roll (like the latter half of this season) because he's like a smaller, lesser Ginobili. But I'm not sure how much he helps his team. Oh, and of course Steve Nash. I used to like Chris Paul but he's just too punk-ish these days and I hate that whole Clippers team. They deserve Sterling.
*Tim Duncan - No ego uberstar *Kenneth Faried - 100% effort 100% of the time *Kyrie Irving - Humble up-and-coming superstar *Ricky Rubio - A rare PG: makes everyone around him much better *Paul George/Kawai Leonard - Both took advantage of their opportunities and produce on winning teams.
Kevin Love. James Harden. Ginobili. Duncan. Durant. Deron Williams. Dirk. Kyrie Irving. Horford. D-Rose. Basically ballers that are class acts.
Yep. LeBron, and then Durant, and then everybody else. I appreciate elite skills more than I appreciate limited "hustle" players, or flashy PGs who can't shoot.
Does this include former Blazers? If so, Jerryd Bayless for me. Danny Granger, Tyson Chandler, Dirk Nowitski, Tim Duncan, Deron Williams, John Wall, Dorell Wright, Rodney Stuckey, Paul George, Thabo Sefolosha, George Hill, Aaron Brooks, OJ Mayo, Gerald Henderson, Nene Hilario, Chris Bosh, Ricky Rubio. I don't like some of the elite guys personally, but watching Kobe, Lebron, Durant etc. is crazy good.
Tony Allen, Tim Duncan, Rondo. Those Chris Paul vs. Tony Allen end-of-game possessions in the Clips-Grizz series were great NBA moments. I don't think Chris Paul ever got the better of it. I've long disliked Dirk but after last season's post season performance I have to give him credit and admit that I think he makes the most jaw dropping shots of anyone currently in the league.
Duncan - he's not flashy or sexy or handsome or flamboyant. Just good. Relentlessly efficiently good. Year after year. Steve Nash. Love his jeans, floppy hair, outspokenness about world beyond basketball. Sorry, don't care how good he is, and I admit he's very good, I loathe Kobe Bryant and will loathe him to my dying day. Retired? John Amaechi has to be top of the list - I loved him BEFORE he came out.
Of course - how could I forget Rubio? Duh. And Irving is pretty awesome too. It's hard to beat Grant Hill in his prime. That goes for his co-ROY, Jason Kidd, too. And firmly in the "love to watch him, wouldn't've wanted him on the Blazers" camp - Jason "White Chocolate" Williams. [video=youtube;EYnW07d062g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYnW07d062g[/video] [video=youtube;m-Vq-DO86RE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Vq-DO86RE[/video]
