If you go with the big man is Russell the best though? When you consider his leadership, defensive skills and relentless ability to grab any rebound then maybe so. Maybe your a Wilt Chamberlain guy because who the hell scores 100 points in a single game! I saw Shaquille Oneal's entire career and never saw any one player dominate a game the way Shaq did. Hakeem Olajuwan may be the most talented center to ever play in the league. But even he had to wait for the great Michael Jordan to semi-retire from the game in order to get a couple of rings.
Speaking of which, is M.J. your man? Most people would probably go with Jordan. But to start your team? Eh I don't know. He may be the best player that ever wore an NBA uniform but would you draft him #1 to start your franchise? Well how do you argue with 6 titles? Maybe he wasn't the best passer or the greatest rebounder. Heaven knows he wasn't the best teammate but if you want to win how can you not take Jordan first?
Magic magically won the championship as a rookie while playing all 5 positions in the NBA Finals. He won MVP honors as he put up a remarkable 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. He went on the win 4 more titles, 5 in total and probably would have won more had he not been diagnosed with HIV in 1991. That was a tragedy that hit the world hard as one of the NBA's immortals was seemingly headed towards death. Amazingly Magic Johnson is still alive 21 years later and making the most of his life.So I pose the question to you , my fellow sports enthusiasts. If you were starting an NBA team, which player would you draft first? Maybe you go with the best overall player in which case Jordan, LeBron and Magic Johnson's name will be at the top of the list. Or do you go with the 7' footers and draft a guy like Wilt or Shaq? I look forward to your responses!
My favorite player of all time is Magic Johnson. I would build my team around. Let's say I was in a fantasy draft with the greatest players of all time. I'd go with Magic as my first pick, and maybe Kareem, Duncan, or Malone (either one) as my second pick.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you've kicked off your NBA coverage.
Ill take Michael Jordan everyday of the week including twice on Sundays. MJ has a drive like no one else. He dominated a big mans game from the SG position. Can score from anywhere on the floor. Great defender. Most importantly he came up big in the biggest moments
ReplyDeleteI have two responses...1)Based on talent coming out of college/hs; Lew Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2)With the current style of play; Lebron James aka 21st Century Magic Johnson
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to take the best center and I understand that argument.
ReplyDeleteRoyce, I hear ya on LeBron. He is the modern day Magic Johnson that can score at will.
Chinwe, great minds think alike, haha.
And Quinn, the best argument for MJ is that he is the ultimate winner and that's also hard to argue with.
But I'm still going Magic. I thought about this over and over again. My second choice would be MJ then probably Shaq just because I never saw Kareem in his prime and never saw live footage of Russell or Wilt. I'll be debating this on the show Thursday if you guys wana call in. Thanks for the comments and support.
Its a great topic & honestly there is no wrong answer. My 5 would be: Magic, MJ, Bird, Rodman, & Russell. Scoring, D, & Rebounding. Wld be a great starting 5
ReplyDeleteI don't even know if what I'm saying is an answer but here it goes: When Michael Jordan was on the Bulls he was fortunate to be around a coaching staff and ownership that saw his "Alpha Male" ways - and surrounded him with players who (for the most part) weren't bothered by it. Kobe Bryant has the same "alpha male" personality but his ways clash with team-mates (even while winning championships) - he bumped heads with Shaq, seems to call out Gasol every five minutes leaving Gasol timid at times and most recently is this debacle with Dwight Howard. You can't ask Kobe to change - b/c being the "alpha male" is what makes him "KOBE" - you need to try to surround him with players that don't mind it. I think if Kobe was given the same team make up that Jordan had - we would easily be mentioning them in the same breath or even Kobe to a further extent. Arguments like this are all based on peoples preference and/or opinion - but it's always a fun debate. And if you ask me to choose between Mike and Kobe, I might just have to pick Mike. . . or Kobe. . .
ReplyDeleteI would love to have Magic or LeBron, because both can play every position on the floor, and both are so versatile. The most underrated part about Magic is his scoring ability and clutchness. Everyone talks about Jordan and Kobe being clutch, but Magic, Bird, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki are on the next level.Especially Magic and Bird. Magic would throw up halfcourt shots and nail them.
DeleteQuinn, I like your 5. In a fantasy draft, you could get all of the players except MJ and Russell guaranteed.
Which reminds me, I think we all should do a fantasy draft. It would be fun! Maybe with the greatest players of all time!
Gimme Michael Jordan. He transcended the game and his biggest weapon was his will to win. That was unquestioned to me.
ReplyDeleteJordan was influential, but it took a Phil Jackson to incorporate the word "trust" in his game. The triangle offense that Jackson created was phenomenal and it beat the tough Jordan Rules that the Pistons and the Knicks used.
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