bugatti Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 20 years ago the NBA came out with their list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. It was a huge deal at the time and that list is still referenced. In those 20 years, who has come about in the NBA that should now be on the 50 greatest NBA players list. And whomever you add, you have to remove someone. LeBron, Kobe, and Duncan are obvious folks that find their way onto the list. Anyone else? But at who's expense? Below is the list: NBA at 50 celebrates legends of league | NBA.com The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History [TABLE=class: cnnTM] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Kareem Abdul-Jabbar[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Nate Archibald[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Paul Arizin[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Charles Barkley[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Rick Barry[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Elgin Baylor[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Dave Bing[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Larry Bird[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Wilt Chamberlain[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Bob Cousy[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Dave Cowens[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Billy Cunningham[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Dave DeBusschere[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Clyde Drexler[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Julius Erving[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Patrick Ewing[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Walt Frazier[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]George Gervin[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Hal Greer[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]John Havlicek[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Elvin Hayes[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Magic Johnson[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Sam Jones[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Michael Jordan[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Jerry Lucas[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Karl Malone[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Moses Malone[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Pete Maravich[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Kevin McHale[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]George Mikan[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Earl Monroe[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Hakeem Olajuwon[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Shaquille O'Neal[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Robert Parish[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Bob Pettit[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Scottie Pippen[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Willis Reed[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Oscar Robertson[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]David Robinson[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Bill Russell[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Dolph Schayes[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Bill Sharman[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]John Stockton[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Isiah Thomas[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Nate Thurmond[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Wes Unseld[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: cnnIERowAltBG] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Bill Walton[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtR, align: left]Jerry West[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]Lenny Wilkens[/TD] [TD=class: cnnIEColTxtL, align: left]James Worthy[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
bugatti Posted August 19, 2016 Author Posted August 19, 2016 In looking back, it is interesting they included Shaq after only 5 seasons in the league.
SnottieDrippen Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 LeBron could replace all but one, or maybe two players. Kobe is in the top 5-10 or 12 range, and Duncan ranks between 8 and 15 to me. Bing, Cunningham, DeBusschere, Greer, Jones, Wilkens are my first six out, replaced by Bron, Kobe, Duncan, Iverson & Wade as my biased picks, and KG. In another 20 years add Westbrook, "Boorant," and Steph at the expense of some of those trees who were often just bigger and stronger than their opposition. Speaking of trees, I think KAT will be in this discussion by the end of his career.
bugatti Posted August 19, 2016 Author Posted August 19, 2016 Can Bill Walton be removed from the list?
UKMustangFan Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 Dirk needs to be on there. Probably Ray Allen. DWade, Kobe, Duncan, LeBron, KG. I could make an argument for Paul Pierce as well.
UKMustangFan Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 As to who to remove, we can start with Scottie Pippen. Easily the most overrated player in NBA history IMO.
UKMustangFan Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 Iverson and Kevin Durant can be added as well.
mexitucky Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 As to who to remove, we can start with Scottie Pippen. Easily the most overrated player in NBA history IMO. ??? How so?
mexitucky Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 Can Bill Walton be removed from the list? Yes
UKMustangFan Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 ??? How so? He was an above average player. No more, no less.
BigVMan23 Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 Can Bill Walton be removed from the list? Personally, I think so. He played the majority of his career battling foot problems and not reaching the level he set his first 4 years, with his first year being good for a rookie, but I don't think you'd call it great. He had his best year his 4th year, and declined after that. His career stats are not that great, considering his 13.3 career scoring average...does have solid rebounding and block career averages. The potential was there, but his body broke down.
SnottieDrippen Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 Dirk needs to be on there. Probably Ray Allen. DWade, Kobe, Duncan, LeBron, KG. I could make an argument for Paul Pierce as well. Dirk, talented as he is, is too one-dimensional to be considered top 50. There's probably an argument to be made for Allen, but not Pierce. Allen>Dirk>Pierce in my book.
mexitucky Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 He was an above average player. No more, no less. I think that you are being way too harsh on him. He was a shut down defender and an integral part of SIX title teams. His versatility helped the Bulls start, probably, one of the tallest and longest lineups of the past 25 champions. He isn't in a league with James, Bird, or Irving (Dr. J), but he's, IMO, the 4th or 5th best SF of all time.
BigVMan23 Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 I think that you are being way too harsh on him. He was a shut down defender and an integral part of SIX title teams. His versatility helped the Bulls start, probably, one of the tallest and longest lineups of the past 25 champions. He isn't in a league with James, Bird, or Irving (Dr. J), but he's, IMO, the 4th or 5th best SF of all time. Close to my assessment as well. Though I do prefer my small forwards to be maybe a little better shooter from outside the lane than he was, it can't be denied that he played both ends of the floor and was a very integral part of 6 championships.
SnottieDrippen Posted August 19, 2016 Posted August 19, 2016 I think that you are being way too harsh on him. He was a shut down defender and an integral part of SIX title teams. His versatility helped the Bulls start, probably, one of the tallest and longest lineups of the past 25 champions. He isn't in a league with James, Bird, or Irving (Dr. J), but he's, IMO, the 4th or 5th best SF of all time. Baylor, Worthy, 'Nique, Havlicek? Stats aren't kind to Scottie compared to those four. Defensively, he compares favorably, which is enough to move him ahead of Hondo and Worthy, but Wilkins and Baylor are in another league. I wish one of the old heads on the board would give us an objective breakdown on this subject.
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