I love basketball. Unfortunately without a television at home I am limited to watching in bars and hotel rooms in order to catch the game. I loved to play when I had knees. Every generation lionizes it's own set of sports heroes. There is a lot of talk about Lebron versus Kobe and how they match up against today's gold standard, Michael Jordan. I think Kobe shares Jordan's killer instinct and probably give him the current edge. But I think the whole comparison is a bit bogus. I think all three are great one on one players and both Kobe and Michael played great defense. But why deify Jordan?
If I had to start a team with a player that made everyone play better I would pick Magic Johnson numero uno. Could play every position on the floor, had the ball on a string and put the show in showtime. Brilliant basketball mind. MJ and Kobe are more like, everyone get out of the way and I will break down the whole opposing team if I have to. Ultimate ball hawks (hogs?) I actually thought that Pat Riley's showtime offense was much more fluid and lyrical than Phil Jackson's triangle, which seems to be slow and contrived at times. Of course, Magic had Wilkes and Worthy on the wing, small forwards that defied description.
If I had to pick the most graceful, beautiful player I ever saw, it would be Doctor J. Aerial ballet - incredibly long and innovative. It is a shame that many of his best years were wasted in the ABA. I cried when he retired. Maravich was another marvel, especially as a ball handler. Dribbling skills seem to have diminished today. I caught Baylor, West and Robertson at the end of their careers but don't put them in the Bird Magic category. The game evolved. Now it's devolved.
And for my money Wilt was the best to ever play the game. I watched him with Thurmond, Lanier, Ray, etc. and he would have made mincemeat of today's big men. Track star, volleyball star, tremendous athlete, his records are beyond compare. 20,000 one night stands for christ sake. 100 points in a game, averaged forty seven once never fouled out. 27 rebounds per game. Field goal percentage of .727. Yeah, Russell's Celtics were better but he had a better cast around him.
I actually think the game has suffered since Bird and Magic and Dominique. Great athletes but poor outside shooting (when's the last time you saw a bank shot?) Little concept of team offense. Some of this might be because of the style of the great Jordan that all these current players copied when they were young. The point guards today are awesome - Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Nash, probably better than any previous class. But the center position is at a nadir. I hope that the Lakers can acquire a first rate point guard soon. Let the purple and gold dynasty begin!
8 comments:
Lakers had a chance to pick up Stefon Marbury but passed, too bad; i agree, the showtime Lakers were the best ever, funny you left out Kareem, though; didn't know you were a hoop expert, perhaps you can explain the triangle to me?; i like the unit the Lakers have now, Lamar especially; wish they hadn't traded Caron Butler a few years back; i dug Smush Parker, too.
Hate Marbury, selfish, not at all what the lakers need. Kareem is the second greatest center to play the game. If you read Giant Steps he claims to have schooled Wilt but they played pretty even when I saw them. Ariza is going to add so much to this team when he gets it going - love the new Lamar Odom as well.
Watch this Shannon Brown stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0N5D728RkE
Oh ya, as for breaking down the stupid triangle, you better call Tex Winter...
The triangle offense is a pyramid shaped offensive position on the court. The basket is known as Bermuda the free throw line is Cuba and the baseline area is Bimini, where Donald Sterling hedges his NBA triangle pyramid scheme profits. It is banned in Iran, where it is offensive to women.
Funny the Lakers passed on Marbury because Marbury has never passed, although he made passes at a women who worked for the Knicks (by the way, what is a Knickerbocker?)
Believe that was Isaiah but I'm with you...
Can you imagine what Kareem, Cooper, Magic, Worthy and Rambis would do to the current Laker team? Shred.
got my first tv at 12 and got hooked on the Lakers of Jerry West and Wilt righ away. But one spring I lived in Brooklyn and watched a lot of the ABA Nets away games on cable. It seems that every single game Dr. J would have the whole room leaping to their feet exalting at some never seen before flight through space. He was reinventing the game as we watched. Still the most fluid and creative high flyer I've seen
P.S. try catching a Lakers game in my neighborhood and time zone
I thought the Lakers of the 80's were the best of LA teams. Magic the consumate player of his time with Bird. With much nashing of teeth out there I will confess to growing up in the Celtic land. Hard to pass on Russel. He just owned Wilt in the big games. Cousy, Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens. Guys with big heart. But the celtics of the 80's were perhaps the best, along with the Lakers. Tossup in my book and it was great to be a part of. Many out there probably do not like the memory of the ballons in the rafters in 1968. Great moment in Russells life. He is on any alltime team. I look forward to playoffs when the real action starts. Hi Robert, (Rich Carpenter).
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