I think people are forgetting that Dame has done some things that only a small handful of players have done. If he was on the Lakers nobody would even question the selection.
I think per game/per season, especially when the career totals are within shouting distance and one player's career is unfinished. I also think, when all else is equal, bigger seasons provide more "championship equity" (so to speak) than more merely good seasons. I think having a superstar for five seasons is more valuable to winning a title than a very good player for 10. I can see why other people would come to other answers, and I don't think Lillard was a no-brainer, but that's generally how I see it.
If he was on the Lakers and they had never won a WCF finals game during his time there, people just might question it.
it depends, obviously. Brandon Roy might have made the list if he'd played 15 seasons and had a 7 year prime. But he didn't. McGrady played in 15 seasons and averaged at least 25 points 5 times. Dame has played 9 seasons and has averaged 25 points 6 times. The last time McGrady averaged 25 points he was 25. Dame did it at 30. McGrady averaged 6 assists or better one season. Dame has done that in 7 different seasons. And, McGrady actually had a higher career usage rate and averaged more shots per-100 possessions than Dame, so it's not like Dame had some volume advantage. And even though McGrady was 6 inches taller, he only averaged one more rebound than Dame McGrady made 7 all-star games; Dame should tie mark that this season. McGrady has made 7 all-league teams; Dame has made 8. McGrady was player of the month 4 times; Dame was POM 7 times. McGrady's career PER was 22.1; Dame's is 22.3. McGrady's career TS% was .519; Dame's is .584. McGrady's career winshare/48 mark was .152; Dame's is .179 maybe McGrady should have made the list....but not at the expense of Dame
I'm one of the older fellers in here (57), and it was much deserved from what i've seen over my 4 plus decades of NBA basketball fandom. He's the greatest closer i've ever seen . His 4th qtr. play has become legendary. EVERY team in the league sets their game plan around trying to stop him with double and sometimes triple teams. I have only seen the greats of the early decades on highlights. But many of those greats ( Russell, Chamberlain, West) are on the list as well. No list is ever perfect, but I'm so proud to have Dame a Blazer. I look forward to him adding to his legacy, in becoming the Greatest Trailblazer ever. Even though, to me, he's already achieved that. Congrats Dame. Go Blazers!!
i was going to explain in depth, but i knew someone more eloquent would come along and provide the details.
While I disagree with Kyrie being better than Dame, it is going to be less and less likely Dame stays on this type of list in future years unless he wins one. Hard when someone isn't known as being a good defender even if he is an amazing offensive player. Pierce has one which is probably why he made it over someone like Tmac or VC. I don't think many would argue Tmac in his healthy years was better than Pierce.
If Lillard is making it on his effect on the game, then Carter HAS to be on it for the same reason. Carter deserves to be on this.
Actually, I’m surprised more players don’t wear them today. They were pretty common when I played as a kid and it seemed like most kids wore at least one (and when you saw that, you were pretty sure he was letting a teammate wear the other). Again, no idea why they aren’t popular today, but I always thought they were very effective……
Very very surprised Lillard made this list. Just doesn’t seem quite deserved but it’s great for him. Dwight is so underrated. People forget or don’t know about his prime years.
That makes two of us. Lillard has been whining for years about being left off things, so maybe all the whining worked. If I were Dwight Howard, though, I’d be royally pissed.
Let’s face it. Lillard being on the list is a joke. Howard was on the all-defensive team three years in a row, led the league in blocks two times, made eight all-star games and led Orlando to an NBA championship.
Hey, look. It’s a white player! Whoever he is, he must have been bad. Is that about the gist of it, HCP?
