Over the years we have seen many great players, both live and on highlight films. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to match up players in their prime? Match-ups that never were, but sometimes you wish you could have seen it. For the purposes of this article I've used players that were in their primes in the 80s and forward (Wilt vs Shaq is what everyone wants to see, but for me the game was way too different when both were in their primes). There are twists to spice different match-ups, and to me is a great way of comparing past champions to today's elite, and then some. So here we have it; nine match-ups that would bring out the best in both eltie players from the past and present. 1.) LeBron James vs Magic Johnson Two guys, both standing about 6'8, both playing point guard and both able to do it all. Magic is the better passer and has a better understanding of the point guard position, but LeBron is more athletic and can rebound better. Magic would give LeBron trouble on the offensive end, as his level of basketball smarts was good enough to beat anybody. However LeBron would hold his own purely on natural ability, and his basketball brain is exceptional for an 18 year olds. Arguably the two best rookie point guards in the last 25 years, along with Jason Kidd. The question now is how LeBron's career will stack up against Magic after he is done, comparisons beforehand carry little substance. However it is clear that since Magic, we haven't see a point guard with the versaility and all round abilities that LeBron brings to the table. Whether he can utilise these tools to forge a career that is comparable to Magic's is another story and one that can't be told yet, but a match-up nonetheless of these two would be ver interesting to say the least. 2.) Arvydas Sabonis vs Hakeem Olajuwon This to me would be an absolute gem. Sabonis in his prime was considered by everyone to be the best player outside the NBA, and many considered him to be the best big man in the world, barring none. Both were very crafty down low, strong on the boards and a rock defensively, so watching this match-up would be very interesting. Sabonis had the added ability to go outside too, but Olajuwon in his prime had the agility to defend this. Sabonis had the ball handling abilities of a guard, but Olajuwons defensive awareness in terms of blocking shots and getting steals is unrivaled since arguably the days of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. The sad thing about this match-up is both were in their primes roughly at the same time, Sabonis probably a couple of seasons earlier. However with Sabonis overseas creating a legend, battles between these two never took place until Sabonis was older and wasn't quite the player he once was. With international fixtures not nearly as common as other professional sports, it remains a low point that Sabonis was not able to display his talents against the best of the best in his prime, and Olajuwon would have made a great sparring partner. 3.) Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant MJ is the greatest, and it's arguable to say no one could provide a fair match-up on him consistently, though Clyde, Reggie and Joe all gave it their best shots. Kobe at his best is probably the closest anyone has been to Jordan, and is probably the closest anybody will be for many years. The similarities are uncanny; both have a trememdous ability to create and make their own shot against any defense, both are extremely clutch, both have a fine all round game, both are freakishly athletic and both are superb defensive players, both man to man and in a team structure. I would give the edge to Jordan here, simply because he has combined the things afore-mentioned better than anybody ever, but at the same time I am confident Kobe would hold his own. Even if you're a Kobe or MJ hater, this match-up is to die for. One also must consider how Kobe's status would change if his main teammate were a SF in the role of Pippen, not a dominating beast in the way Shaq is. Would his stats increase or decrease? Would he still have a ring? These are the sorts of questions that will always be asked when comparing Kobe to Jordan, as Michael didn't have to share the spotlight as much. As good as Pippen was, he was always seen as a sidekick. It is a different case with O'Neal, and a match-up between Kobe and Jordan in their respective primes would be mouth watering. 4.) Drazen Petrovic vs Peja Stojakovic Quite possibly the two best european shooters to play, and two of the purest of all time. Drazen at his best was scintillating, he had the ability to literally knock down his shot from anywhere, such was his shooting ability. Peja is the same; the three point champion of the last two seasons, Peja can and will shoot the ball from anywhere. Both had the ability to create their own shots, but their biggest weapon is their deadly shooting. Peja is a better rebounder, Drazen arguably more athletic and quicker. It's one of basketball's tragedies that Petrovic was lost before he could reach his prime, but these two on eachother would be very interesting. Stojakovic will likely end his career as one of the greatest Europeans ever to play the game, a mantle most attribute to Petrovic too. Petrovic is in the Basketball Hall Of Fame for his contributions to both the NBA and international basketball, and it remains to be seen whether or not Stojakovic will join him here, and even make the NBA Hall Of Fame. Both were/are more than just shooters, but their special abilities to stroke it from anywhere would make for a memorable shoot-out. 5.) Shawn Kemp vs Kevin Garnett This is one to set fans drooling. One of basketball's greatest disappointments is that this match-up has never taken place, with both in their primes. Two of the most ferocious and primal players of modern times, matching up on eachother would be interesting. Kemp was a force, pure and simple. Legend has it he's made playground rings spark with the force he dunks it, and most post defenders in his Seattle days were just hurdles on his way to the ring. Garnett has incredible athleticism and Inspector Gadget arms, which allow him to pull down rebounds, defend the perimeter, block shots and dunk on people with startling regularity. While Kemp was super athletic, a lot of his moves were based on pure force which was impossible to stop. Garnett on the other hand often uses his agility to outsmart a defender, and probably has more tools to his game. The similarities between these two players adds more spice to the match-up. Both came out of highschool; Kemp was the first since like likes of Malone and Dawkins, and Garnett set a new precedent by going in the top 5 picks. Both formed potentially lethal combinations with point guards, Gary Payton and Stephon Marbury respectively, and both combinations never realised their true potential. Payton and Kemp was far more advanced and spearheaded a finals campaign, but watching these two go at it would be a real spectacle. 6.) Larry Bird vs Grant Hill Two of the smartest players of modern times would make for an intruiging battle. Bird is the greatest all round shooter of all time, and beat his opponents with his mind. Hill isn't nearly the shooter Bird was, but his basketball smarts are also extremely sharp, and he has Bird's measure in the athleticism stakes. Bird's off the ball movement was almost impossible to stop, and once he got open it was a formality. Hill's first step and ability to find the smallest gaps in any defense allowed him to get to the hole on a regular basis, and once there he was one of the best at finishing. Both were above average rebounders and passers for a forward, and this would be a great match-up of two great basketball minds. Despite their similarities, the paths their respective careers have taken provide a stark contrast. Bird is rightly remembered as a legend of the game, and went out on top and on his own terms, still averaging 20ppg. Hill on the other hand has seen a future Hall Of Fame career cruelly struck down through injury, and will be remembered as the man on the injury list eating up payroll instead of one of the game's brightest young stars. The other difference is Bird played on great Celtic teams, and has the rings and MVPs to back himself up. Hill played on teams that were lucky to make the playoffs, and this is really the difference between two supremely talented players. 7.) Joe Dumars vs Ray Allen Two of the purest players in their primes, this would be a joy to watch. Dumars has the edge on defense and toughness, but it's not often you find a guy who can shoot and move like Ray. Dumars was the style and class of the famous Detroit 'Bad Boy' teams, providing gritty defense and a silky midrange jumper. Allen has earnt the nickname 'Sugar Ray' because of his sweet jumper and smooth movements around the court. He is not half the defender that Dumars was, but offensively this match-up would be a treat to watch. Both are also able to handle the ball and distribute competently, and both have demonstrated capable leadership in their respective careers. It was be interesting to watch this one because of their respective builds. Dumars was short and stocky, but very quick, and would either drive at the basket aggressively or pull up for that deadly mid-range jumper. Allen on the other hand is leaner and seems to glide around the court. He seems to almost float to the basket, but his midrange jumper can be just as prolific. These are two guys that know how to maintain a hot start too, and feed off it. 8.) Kenny Anderson vs Stephon Marbury Marbury has matured as a point guard, whilst Anderson is one of the league's great underachievers. However both hail from the New York area, and both are playground legends. Coming into the league, Anderson was famous for mesmerising his opponents with his speed and unbelievable dribbling skills, and his famous left handed J. Marbury is like a right handed version except he has established himself in the NBA. As quick as lightening, Marbury can decieve any opponent with his ball handling and get to the hole almost at will. Matching up Anderson and Marbury on the playground, both in their primes, would be something any New York area native would pay to see. The delicious irony about this match-up is that both had dazzling careers at Georgia Tech, and both were top four draft choices. Anderson was the second overall choice and came into the league as one of the most highly touted point guard prospects of recent times. Marbury predictably endured the comparisons to Anderson throughout his college career and coming into the league as the fourth overall pick, before being traded to Minnesota who drafted Ray Allen. 9.) Moses Malone vs Alonzo Mourning Two undersized centres with tremendous strength and work ethic, this would be a warhorse match-up. Both of these guys would outwork you down low, both offensively and defensively, and by the end of a game on either of these two you would know you'd earnt your points and rebounds. Moses was more durable, and whilst 'Zo has had bad luck with injuries and more recently illness over the years, which means his career is not as great as it could have been. This would be a real battle, and watching these guys bang down low would be a testemant to the Horace Grants and the Charles Oakleys of the world, those who aren't the most talented, but work their skins off to succeed. Malone was one of the first to tread the well-worn path of Highschool directly to the Pros and was an ABA 3rd round pick, whilst Mourning was the second overall pick after a distinguished College career at Georgetown, following in the footsteps of Dikembe Mutombo and Patrick Ewing. Malone now is the league's 6th all time scorer and 3rd all time rebounder, a three time league MVP and one times finals MVP, and has a championship ring. Who knows what Mourning could have achieved if it wasn't for injuries and illness. Moses is an all time great, 'Zo was headed there, and this match-up would be a blue collar event. So there we have it. Nine match-ups of the last twenty years of players that to me would bring out the the best in best in eachother. Sure there are other players such as Shaq, Jason Kidd, Clyde Drexler and 'Nique, all of whom will go to the Hall Of Fame and can make legitimate claims to be All Time Greats, but to me these nine match-ups of players in their prime would be very, very fascinating to witness. As with most battles there are always ironic twists. Whether this be similar or completely opposite career paths, same career backgrounds or the most hyped youngsters against those who crept unnoticed into the league, it all boils together to make a recipe very much worth witnessing. Thanks to Shape for the idea To respond to this thread, click here!
