As the years have gone by, almost every good guard has been compared to MJ, but for a minute, lets take MJ out of the equation, who would you compare players such as Vince, Tmac, Kobe, AI, Lebron and Carmelo, to guards/forwards from the past? TAKE MJ OUT OF THE EQUATION
So you mean how do Vince, Tmac, Kobe, AI, Lebron and Carmelo stack up against Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkens, Jerry West, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and players like them? I think you've gotta give that first group several more years to even consider them in the same league. AI is the only one out of that first group who has sustained excellent performance for more than five years. All of those HOFers (and potential HOFers) that I named did it for easily more than five years, often much more. In terms of the best of their performance though, for just a brief time, I'd say they're comparable to some degree. Of course all of those today players are much more athletic, with only Dominique being a match to them out of those old timers. But the things they did, those were very similar. Oscar was an all around player like Carter who was either a big shooting guard or a small forward. He was a better rebounder and a better passer(he averaged double figures in both in several seasons) and a better scorer to boot, averaging better than 30 ppg in several seasons. But like Vince he had trouble being a team guy, only winning a title when paired with one of the top three centers of all time. Dominique was an amazing scorer just like TMac, with a scoring title to his name. He'd have three more if it wasn't for a certain somebody, but he couldn't help that. He got the same knock TMac does today, for being too much of a scorer and not helping his team win, but he actually did help his team win, getting them a divisional title, several 50 win seasons, and the second round on a couple occasions. One thing TMac has that really reminds me of Nique was his creativity. Dominique could do almost anything in the air, and TMac is getting there, especially with his off the backboard move, which even Kobe has copied now. Jerry, like Kobe, could light it up on any given night, and for all intents and purposes was a better shooter. Not on par with Bryant's athleticism, but as an allaround player he was also better, leading the league in assits one year and sporting several 30 ppg seasons. He was also very clutch(hence his nickname), just like Kobe. Isiah never scored as much as AI, but probably could have. I've always thought that if AI tried to imitate Isiah, by averaging a 20-10 in points and assists, his team would be so much better. Like AI, Isiah usually never had too much point support around him, with occasional scorers like Kelly Tripucka, Adrian Dantley and Mark Aguirre. But he got everyone involved, and was electrifying for a little guy. When he took it upon himself to score though, there were few in the league who could stop him. Magic is the player Lebron has drawn the most comparisons to. Magic wasn't quite the scorer Lebron is, nor the athlete, but was more well rounded, though Bron could get there. Still, I'd say Lebron has the potential to be better than Magic, perhaps the only player on the young list I can say that about. Carmelo, IMO, is a better scorer than Bird because of his ability to get to the rack, whereas Bird was more of a spot up shooter. But Bird was far and away a better player, or at least more well rounded. In his rookie year he averaged better than 10 boards a game and had more than 5 assists per game, numbers that Carmelo lacks easily. Still, that was after five years in college for Bird, whereas Carmelo has had only one, so there's still time. Overall, you can sense the theme that I don't hold the same awe for todays players compared to the old timers, but that I feel that, given time, some of these guys could get there. The biggest thing isn't talent, IMO, but maturity. Out of all of these guys, the one's who show the most maturity are surprisingly the young ones, Lebron and Carmelo. The other four have repeatedly disappointed fans with their behavior on and off the court, and their leadership skills are lacking, something that Bron and Melo seem to innately have. Thus it wouldn't surprise me if Bron and Melo ended up the best of these current six, and joined some of these HOFers at their level of play.
wow, i dont think anyone could have said it ANY BETTER..cheers but one thing...you cant already judge carmelo's and lebrons character from one season...you don't know anything about these kids yet except that they are exceptionally great rookie basketball players. They dont really have the right as rookies to be at that attitude level kobe/tmac/ai/vince and everyone else is on. They are established, hench, they have the right to complain, and state their displeasure with something, they have earned that right after this many years of greatness. Lebron and carmelo havent...atleast not yet
people can compare the but thats just the for the sake of comapring. As good as the Big O, and Chocolate Thunder, Dominique, and Tiny, and Bird, and Magic, and Isiah were, they were not in my opinion(and in most peoples) the best. You compare things to the best, which is MJ.
Vince can be compared to Nique- Both excellent showmen in the air T-mac can be compared to Drexler- Both athletic and ability to score Kobe Bryant has to be compared to MJ-Evertyhing, Kobe got bank and left Bron and Magic (maybe the big O)-Both big guards, and can fill in stat sheets Peja and Petro-Both can shoot lights out KG and Kemp-Both powerful forwards Nash and Stockton- Great pg, playmakers (and theyre white) AI and Isiah thomas (NATE arhibald also) Small, pesky, and can lead there team, quick, and great dribble, hesitation moves.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Progidy:</div><div class="quote_post">KG and Kemp-Both powerful forwards.</div> Kemp was more like a bigger version of Nique. Maybe a little more physical as well. the problem with Nique was that he never improved his game, always stayed as an outside shooter and dunker, he never improved on his D or his passing. Thats why he got traded to the clips, celts, magic, and spurs. PS - Bonds = 660!!! and COUNTING
ok kobe can not be compared to MJ, t-mac is much more closely related to him.(with the excuse of this season) I got another Marbury and Archibald (and no one should ever say Marbury and the Big O, alot of ppl compare them because they are the only two 20-8, but Robertson had 25 and 9.5, and Marbury only has 21 and 8)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ReRun:</div><div class="quote_post">ok kobe can not be compared to MJ, t-mac is much more closely related to him.(with the excuse of this season) I got another Marbury and Archibald (and no one should ever say Marbury and the Big O, alot of ppl compare them because they are the only two 20-8, but Robertson had 25 and 9.5, and Marbury only has 21 and 8)</div> i stated in my first post, please EXCLUDE MJ FROM COMPARISONS comparing Kobe and Tmac is like comparing a hot blond with another hot blond. They are so similar. Kobe plays D, Tmac is a better long range shooter Kobe is unstopable in the clutch, Once Tmac is hot offensively, there is NO stopping him Tmac has NO Supporting cast in orlando, Kobe has 3 hall of famers. I mean i could go on about litte things, but when it comes to pure talent, they are so similar is sick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Fundamentals:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe/Jerry Dominique/t-mac vince/drexler AI/Isiah thomas</div> What he said
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers:</div><div class="quote_post">As the years have gone by, almost every good guard has been compared to MJ, but for a minute, lets take MJ out of the equation, who would you compare players such as Vince, Tmac, Kobe, AI, Lebron and Carmelo, to guards/forwards from the past? TAKE MJ OUT OF THE EQUATION</div> Lets see i would compare vince carter to dominke wilkens they are both great dunkers and over the years vince has added the jump shot demention to his game just like domike did when he came back from his injury i would compare kobe to clyde drexler because clyde was always thought to be compasred to mj even though he was the older player and they both wanted there own idnetities so thats why i would compare those too t-mac would be compared to julius erving both have long arms great dunking abilities and they are both capable of sinking the shot in the clutch and getting to the basket AI - i would compare to isiah thomas a guy who has successed dispite his size in a time where short players where thought to be more of a liability then a advantage they proved other wise
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers:</div><div class="quote_post">Kemp was more like a bigger version of Nique. Maybe a little more physical as well. the problem with Nique was that he never improved his game, always stayed as an outside shooter and dunker, he never improved on his D or his passing. Thats why he got traded to the clips, celts, magic, and spurs. </div> I hope you're kidding with that analysis on Dominique. He and Kemp were nothing alike besides the fact that they were both great dunkers. Kemp was a low post player who was a 20-10 threat on any night but was never quite at the level that Nique was. And about Nique never improving, WHAT!?! You must be joking. Nique could score from anywhere, wasn't the defensive whiz that Jordan was but was athletic enough to defend people nonetheless. His dual with Bird in '87 demonstrated his ability to hit shots from anywhere - inside, outside, midrange, in transition, etc. And later in his career, in the '90s, he became a much better rebounder than he had been early on. And he was only traded to the Clippers because the Hawks thought that Danny Manning would develope into a perennial All-star. He signed as a free agent with the Celtics, was asked to come back from Europe to sign for the Spurs because they lost Elliot and Robinson for the season, and signed with Orlando as a last hurrah so that he could play with his brother. Man, give the Human Highlight Film some respect!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting New York Baller:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets see i would compare vince carter to dominke wilkens they are both great dunkers and over the years vince has added the jump shot demention to his game just like domike did when he came back from his injury i would compare kobe to clyde drexler because clyde was always thought to be compasred to mj even though he was the older player and they both wanted there own idnetities so thats why i would compare those too t-mac would be compared to julius erving both have long arms great dunking abilities and they are both capable of sinking the shot in the clutch and getting to the basket AI - i would compare to isiah thomas a guy who has successed dispite his size in a time where short players where thought to be more of a liability then a advantage they proved other wise</div> I agree but Kobe has to be compared to MJ, forget what the THREAD says.
Kobe and MJ The only person that comes to midn is MJ. Although Kobe is no wear near MJ level. But you got to admit. They have pretty much the same style. Dominique and McGrady GREAT scorers. Both of them are skinny . But the both of them can easily embarass you. Allen Iverson and Isiah Thomas/Earl "The Pearl" Monroe/ Tiny Archiblad 4 Migets that can take over a came like its nothing. But I would compare Iverson more to Isiah. After all Isiah even said that when he watch Iverson play it remindes him of himself. ( Except the shooting part ) He basically wanted Iverson on the Knicks. But got closest thing to Iverson. Starbury. Nash and Stockton Can take over a game with their passing and their scoring ability is udnerated. I probably say Steve Nash was a better scorer but John Stockton was just as good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I3:</div><div class="quote_post">I probably say Steve Nash was a better scorer but John Stockton was just as good.</div> Don't forget that Stock averaged over 17 ppg while having to drop over 14 dimes per game. He could have easily averaged a 20-10 in points and assists if called upon to do it.
Another gbood comparison is Moses Malone and Shaq. Totally diferent skills so they arent the same, but im just making a power comparison.
