Which player of past or present do you think understood the game the best, with great court vision and made the best decisions on the court? Who may not have had the athletic ability (or may have lost it due to age) and used their head to be so successful? Jordan, Magic, Karl Malone & Steve Smith are some that come to mind. What are yours?
The cliche is to list the white guys (unathletic, but "heady" players) -- Cousy, Barry, Walton, Bird, Stockton, etc. Not that they aren't deserving. Also: Michael Jordan, Walt Frazier, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson. Many more.
When I think of the smartest players two names jump to my mind immediately, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both of these guys were absolutely exceptional basketball players and they both understood the game and how it was to be played. They dominated because they were the smartest players whenever they stepped out on the court. Larry Bird wasn't the most athletic player to ever play however he was great because he understood defenses, shot selection, passing angles, and could see stuff on the court before it happened. You could say the same thing about Magic(except he was more athletically gifted that Bird). If I had to pick one of them it would have to be Larry Bird. That guy is simply a joy to watch. One up-and-coming player who I think is very basketball smart is Carmelo Anthony. He is simply amazing at manipulating defenders when he has the ball. Carmelo is a very smart player now and I think he will only get wiser as he gets older.
People with exceptional unselfishness, passing skills and low turnover rates always sprung to my mind. Two people should immediately come to mind, they even had handle to boot, Magic and Bird. Kidd goes along with them as well, I'd have to put Zeke and Clyde(Frazier) with them as well. For big men, The Admiral, The Dream and Sabonis were awesome as well, great passing centers along with Shaq ans Divac. And of course with me being bias, KG.
Carmelo also takes a load of horrible shots, and isn't the best defender. Kobe Bryant is a damn smart basketball player, and so is Tim Duncan. When I think of smart bball players, I think of John Stockton.
It's gotta be Jason Kidd and MJ. Smart on both ends of the court. They see mismatches when they see one. They know when to shoot and when to pass. Among others.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dre:</div><div class="quote_post">Bill Bradley</div> Three terms in the Senate. Not bad.
What the hell does MJ on the Wizards mean? Just because he wasn't as athletic, doesn't mean he got smarter as a player.
