Who do you believe has revolutionized basketball? You probably have a supposition of whom I'd say so what you surmise is right. Magic Johnson, his constant triple doubles and he could possibly be described as a freak player. Jason Kidd and him play similiarly however Magic was more of a different story. I quote "How can a man so huge do so many things with the ball?" He is one of the smartest basketball minds. One of the best offensive players ever too, along with Bird and Jordan while remaining unselfish. Jordan, I really admire him, however he should've only sticked to basketball. Baseball? Golf? Basketball operations? Who would pick Kwame Brown for their team, such a big mistake....he was good unintentionally, such as when he'd fall from the bump and toss it with one arm and still make it in. He had such speed and grace but didn't quite humiliate you. What I hated about him though was the fact that he made such a big difference. The Jazz could've well might've rather had a ring if it wasn't for him. Larry Bird, is truly one of the best. Although I like Magic more, I know that he's on the same mind and passing of Magic. He too is a basketball genius. Not only that, but the deadliest shooter to ever grace the court. For someone so big he was so graceful. I was never so amazed by someone so tall. He really is "Legend." His friendship with Magic is my favorite basketball rivalry.
I say all of the above and Wilt Chamberlin Pistol Pete as well as Jerry West Magic with his playing on the court as well as off the court. When he announced his retirement due to HIV and made and donated to all of those charitys. This probably made other players start them. IMO. Then made the Magic Theaters,TGIFridays,and Starbucks Coffee. Now he's playing with the Globetrotters which I think is awsome. He has just contributed so much to the NBA and America in general Jordan. I respect him because he's changed basketball so much. Every since he steped on the NBA floor for the first time people where there to watch him. They supported him through his father's death and the one case he had. They supported him when he retired basketball for the first time and started basketball and golf. They respected and praised his return to the NBA with a new look(number).They morned for him to return when retired for the third time. They loved his team when he coached the Wizards,despite the bad coaching decisions he made. They went crazy for him when he returned for the last time with new team. They made him cry when he played his last all-star game. The fans made MJ who he is and he had a big part in making basketball what it is.IMO Bird.IMO. Made the way for 3 point shooters to shoot up the gym.j/k.No he made shooting his specialty. He made people see the art of shooting and how it isn't about fancy shots,dunks,or layups.Sory it's short but that's all I seen on my tapes of him. Wilt.The "stilt" as was called made a way for everyone in the league to strive for their best.He made a way for a center to score 100 points in a game. I'm sorry if he didn't play center. He made a to make the game look easy.Sorry this one's short also. I have no tapes for him. 'Pistol' Pete as he was called. Made a way for people in the league to have fun. With the grace of his passes and the smile he always had when playing. Even when he was concentrating hard or his team was losing he always had a smile on his face. He was always having fun. He made people see that the game was for you to have fun. IMO Jerry West. He's the face of the NBA. He's every where. Literally I could go on forever about people who revolutionized basketball but I won't so people will read the whole thing.
Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberline, all great revolutionizers and trend-setters of basketball.
George Mikan, Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlian, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan. Plain and simple. Lots of love going to Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West, and Pete Maravich. Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and LeBron James are the future. Freaks of nature that do it all and have out of this world athletic ability.
Michael Jordan brought it to a whole new level. Bill Russel was amazing cause he was getting tipple double everynight. Magic Johnson was an outstanding team player and could make amazing passes(As Jason Kidd does today). And Wilt, he scored 100 in one game and averaged 50 pints and 20 somethin' rebounds-who has done that?
Michael Jordan no doubt. He brought the game to another level. He changed the face of basketball and I'm sure majority of the present players idolized him growing up. Plus, don't tell me you didn't try to dunk from the FT line when you saw him did it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">Plus, don't tell me you didn't try to dunk from the FT line when you saw him did it. </div> I still do .
Jordan, Olajuwon, Barkley, Dr.J, Bob Cousy, Chaimberland, West, Russell, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. More included but this is the top 10!
Actually, Oscar Robertson was the first man to do triple-doubles. He even had a triple-double season, but the term' triple-double' wasn't invented then. Together with Robertson I think Russell and Chamberlain were the greatest pioneers. They changed the way how basketball was played. Even before that , George Mikan was another great 'cause back in the 40's and early '50's basketball was considered to be a sport for smaller guys. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar opened the way for the center, together with Russell, Wilt and Petitt. He had a Hook-Shot that he could hit from 20 feet away and was agile and athletic, what was very rare and is not often seen for a 5.Bird and Johnson played always all-round games and filled up every part of the statistic sheet. Next to them Charles Barkley also should be considered to be one of the greatest all-round players. And then you got Jordan. By him, the game was played different. He changed the way how basketball was played completely with much help of Bird,Johnson and Barkley, together with the big man in the leauge, Olajuwan, Robinson, Ewing, Malone,the 2 of them and Shaq.
Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlian, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Pistol Pete, Shaq. Everyone pretty much summed up the reasons why these players should be on the list.
Tom Chambers. He was afterall the first unrestricted free agent in NBA history. Just thought I'd throw someone else in here.
Mikan, the first modern big man in a game dominated by the big men, he paved the way for Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, and Shaq. not to mention he led the original Laker dynasty.
IMO the most revolutionary guys of the last 40 years or so are Connie Hawkins,Elgin Baylor,Oscar Robertson & Julius Erving. These guys took the game to the above the rim style we all enjoy today. Without these guys I highly doubt the game would be where it is. Can't forget Wilt either,they totally re-wrote the rules for the Big Dipper.
In chronological order: George Mikan - 1st dominant center Bob Cousy - 1st good combo of passing/scoring Bob Pettit - prototype forward for next 30 or so yrs Bill Russell - mastered the start of the fast break Elgin Baylor - 1st 'above the rim' guy, early power forward Wilt Chamberlain - changed all the rules about center Oscar Robertson - 1st all-around 2 guard Jerry West - the logo, think MJ without the Air Elvin Hayes - model for power forward: Karl Malone 17 yrs early Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - changed rules of center all over again Julius Erving - took the baton to Elgin and held it for Mike Larry Bird - prototype of 3 pt shooting big forward Magic Johnson - prototype of big point guard Michael Jordan - Pumped up the game with Air Karl Malone - epitomy of 'power forward' Scottie Pippen - 1st point forward Shaquille O'Neal - changed the rules of center once again KG - cross breed between a 2 guard and a 4
