In the 60's Chamberlain versus the Russell Celtics was the name of the game In the 70's the Doctor was operating In the 80's Magic versus Larry Legend was the thing. In the 90's every one wanted to Be Like Mike Will there be one player (or 2) who will dominate the next 10 years/ who will be the superstar above the superstars?
In this decade, I think that it won't be one superstar who stands head and shoulders above the rest. There are so many players you could make a case for, like KG, TD, Shaq, not to mention Kobe, TMac, or even Lebron. Which makes me wonder... why not Lebron? He has all the makings of a superstar- the skills, the personality, and the charisma. The NBA loves him and would go out of their way to market him.
In 2011 or later when people are looking back at this decade, I'd say Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan will be recognised as the most dominant and possibly Shaq depending on when he retires, unless some dominant player comes along that isn't the NBA yet. That could well be Ivan Chiriaev, a 7 foot 1 guard will be hard to stop, especially if he can shoot.
The next dominator will be LeBron...kid has a well rounded game. Needs more work on his jumper,but when he hits his prime he'll have the high flying above the rim style like Mike..he'll have Mike's range..he'll have Magic's floor game and rebounding...and post game.....what more could you ask for?
LBJ is the most hyped rookie ever and he's lived up to the expectations. By 2008 when Lebron is 23, he will probably already be in the top 100 players ever. So Lebron all the way.
I think that Kevin Garnett is. He is only going to get better and lead his team to many victories. I think he will be considered the best player of the decade.
I think it'll be LeBron in response to a Magic like situation. A 6'8" PG after all. Otherwise I'd have my money on KG and TD, the two versatile big men of our generation, time and era.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Big Zee:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Yao Ming has a shot at greatness too.</div> Yea, I think Yao and LeBron will be dominate in the future.
I got my higgghhh hopes for LBJ tho, the way this guy's been playin all season long, GOD DAMN! I'm scared of where he might be by the end of his career. If anyone deserves a cover with the title of LIKE MIKE? ONLY BETTER, it's him. Sad SLAM wasted their inks like that on Penny.
T-Mac, Yao, or Lebron have good chances at being the premier player in the future. i'd say the dominant players in the league NOW would be Duncan and KG. iverson, maybe.
When I think of dominating player, a center always comes to mind. Going by that definition, Yao Ming would take that. He has the potential to be something special. Shaq is currently one of the most dominating players in the league, but he is aging and won't be here within the next 10 years. Potential to take over the league (attendence, jersey sales, etc) would go to Lebron James. He's answered the hype and has turned things around for the Cavs. Great players for the future would include the ones i've mentioned above and players like Kobe, Garnett, Duncan, McGrady, and Kidd. There will be many more to add to that list, the league is in good hands.
Lebron is the easy choice, but also the most accurate. If he stays healthy and focused (and the Cavs put reasonable talent around him) I would not be surprised to see him stand out, even among the Duncan, Shaq's, Kobe's and Garnett's of today's league. Check out Bill Simmons' opinion on this one: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When LeBron hits his prime, surrounded by quality shooters and big guys who can run the floor, he'll toss up a triple-double for an entire season. Comfortably. We're talking 33/12/13 every night. Ever think you'd see those numbers? Has there ever been a one-man Roto team?</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Once Davis was sent packing, Paul Silas emerged from his coma and started running LeBron off picks. Now LeBron is playing like a Dream Teamer.</div> http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/040107.html
Well with his skills, combine with the NBA marketing & promotion of him the next NBA mega star will be Lebron hands down. But for it to be legit like the other players the original poster listed like MJ, Magic, Larry, DrJ he will have to make his legend thru playoff performances & championships because all those players did. Or at least they grew because of chips. But he has the best shot. His name is already known by millions of people that dont even watch basketball.
If I had to pick somebody, it'd be Lebron, but i don't see him being that guy, because he goes into games and the other team isn't scared of him, unlike Jordan where anyone just hated playing the Bulls because of Mike. but for Lebron, they play the Nets and gets schooled by Jason, he's got some work to do. i got this feelin' a somewhat unknown guy's gonna get picked in a draft bout 5 years from now and just kill everybody in the league. That's just me talkin' though......
Also, BeLikeMike- Do you really believe Dr. J was most dominant player of the 70's? He didn't even play for the top basketball league until 1977. And even when you consider his ABA exploits what he did absolutely pales in comparison to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Especially considering Jabbar won 3 MVP awards during that decade and only 23 different players have ever won 1 in the entire history of the league.
Dominating...that would be a Center...and really Yao aint got nothing on shaq...he is the most dominating player ive seen IMO..but besides Shaq...and besides Lebron.. TMac Kobe KG will be it.... p.s TD is the center with more agility in his hands...great passer but he controls the ball so well for his size..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tha Lockdown:</div><div class="quote_post">If I had to pick somebody, it'd be Lebron, but i don't see him being that guy, because he goes into games and the other team isn't scared of him, unlike Jordan where anyone just hated playing the Bulls because of Mike. but for Lebron, they play the Nets and gets schooled by Jason, he's got some work to do. i got this feelin' a somewhat unknown guy's gonna get picked in a draft bout 5 years from now and just kill everybody in the league. That's just me talkin' though......</div> That's because he's a rookie, let's not compare a rookie to Mike in his prime, that's not fair to Lebron, give him at least 3 seasons like Mike had before he became a dominating player.
