Who was the better player, Allen Iverson or Chauncey Billups?

[cotdt]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/1207/nba_iverson_billups_412.jpg

Allen Iverson career stats
27.1 PPG / 6.2 APG / 42.5 FG%

Chauncey Billups career stats
15.1 PPG / 5.6 APG / 41.6 FG%

[Timmy D for MVP]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/1207/nba_iverson_billups_412.jpg

Allen Iverson career stats
27.1 PPG / 6.2 APG / 42.5 FG%

Chauncey Billups career stats
15.1 PPG / 5.6 APG / 41.6 FG%

I mean it depends on what you're talking about. Allen Iverson may be more talented but if I'm a GM I'd rather have Chauncey.

[L.Kizzle]

The former Detroit Piston.

[ihatetimthomas]

As an individual player Iverson was the better talent and achieved more individual success. Billups may have been a better fit for his team, and most other teams, but AI was the better basketball player and achieved great individual accomplishments. Also, it took Billups a few years to finally become the player he is today. AI was a top NBA talent the day he stepped onto an NBA court. He played at a higher level than Billups and for longer. That being said, I would still want Billups on my team over AI bc Billups would have been a much easier player to build around and he plays like a true point guard.

[sergiorodriguez]

depends what you want, a team killing ball hog 39% shooting diva, or an NBA finals MVP and on court general with the nickname of Mr. Big Shot and has a history of huge shots at the top level

offensively Iverson was better, but defensively Billups was so much better, Iverson was always a terrible defender. People always forget basketball is a 2 ways game and people usually overrate the player with the offensive edge

[magnax1]

If anyone takes Billups they have no idea what they are talking about, as long as we are talking about anything but right now.

[StroShow4]

Iverson has obviously accomplished more individually, and in my opinion is the superior basketball player.

[yeaaaman]

Wait a minute, Billups has played 12 seasons, 6 of which were pretty bad.

Let me ask this, had Billups played the way he's played in the past 6 seasons in his first six, and had his first 6 seasons switched and became his most recent 6, would people make this comparison? It is a what have you done for me lately world, and its just that people are looking at Iverson recently, especially the Detroit stint, and paint that as a major picture for his career, whereas people probably won't even think about Billups' first 6 seasons. It took the guy until his 5th season to even shoot 40% from the field.

I don't think it easier to build around Billups because he isn't a player you build around, he is an important piece rather, Iverson in turn is a player that has to be built around, which can be difficult. Other than that I would say Iverson career wise is the better player.

[snipes12]

finals mvp > season's mvp

/ thread

[oh the horror]

This isnt even a dispute here. Iverson was the better player.


Chauncey is the better teammate.

[Lebron23]

finals mvp > season's mvp

/ thread


Pierce > Dirk

[cotdt]

This isnt even a dispute here. Iverson was the better player.


Chauncey is the better teammate.

Aren't they the same thing? How can you distinguish the two?

[nbastatus]

Allen Iverson.

[NotYetGreat]

The former Detroit Piston.

Both of them are former Pistons now...

Well, overall, I'd rather have Chauncey. I'd like a player who can adjust to a system easily and also take control of a game on the court and be a leader. Don't get me wrong. Iverson is a destroyer on the court, but I feel Billups has the better balance of skills and intangibles.

[ZaaaaaH]

LOL people picking Billups.

Only people picking Billups are probly young kids. AI's impact in BASKETBALL at one point was too much for Billups to even come close.

Feel bad for AI these days. No respect for the Answer

[ZaaaaaH]

Pierce > Dirk


LOL you gotem on that one.

[GP_20]

I mean it depends on what you're talking about. Allen Iverson may be more talented but if I'm a GM I'd rather have Chauncey.
End Thread

1on1 AI all day
5on5 Billups all day


NBA is 5 on 5. I'll take Billups.

[catzhernandez]

As an individual player Iverson was the better talent and achieved more individual success. Billups may have been a better fit for his team, and most other teams, but AI was the better basketball player and achieved great individual accomplishments. Also, it took Billups a few years to finally become the player he is today. AI was a top NBA talent the day he stepped onto an NBA court. He played at a higher level than Billups and for longer. That being said, I would still want Billups on my team over AI bc Billups would have been a much easier player to build around and he plays like a true point guard.
Cant say anything else than this. This is the only answer in it's entirety.

[B-Low]

People picking Billups are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the more traditional/unselfish player. Like those people who pick foreign films over American ones just to seem more sophisticated.

Truth is AI is better. Period. Even looking at just the stats posted. AI has him beat in points, assists, FG%...AI has more accomplishments, better career, and when its all said and done AI will remain legendary and Billups will just be Chauncey, the guy that won finals MVP once. People saying finals MVP > season MVP...so does that mean Tony Parker is better than AI too? Does it mean back in 08 Pierce was better than Kobe?

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random efficiency stats, pull out whatever, but AI > Billups. Period.

[ZaaaaaH]

People need to understand Billups is not a franchise player and he never has been or never will. Billups is probly my top PG I would like to have around my franchise player but no way he comes close to being one.

AI is a differnt story. Yes he is hard to build around, cancer ,etc etc etc some of you might say but come down to it you cannot deny that AI can carry any scrubs to somewhere or even have a shot going deep.

[Rocker09]

Better player? Allen Iverson....Better leader? Billups...

[D-nugz]

People picking Billups are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the more traditional/unselfish player. Like those people who pick foreign films over American ones just to seem more sophisticated.

Truth is AI is better. Period. Even looking at just the stats posted. AI has him beat in points, assists, FG%...AI has more accomplishments, better career, and when its all said and done AI will remain legendary and Billups will just be Chauncey, the guy that won finals MVP once. People saying finals MVP > season MVP...so does that mean Tony Parker is better than AI too? Does it mean back in 08 Pierce was better than Kobe?

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random efficiency stats, pull out whatever, but AI > Billups. Period.



:applause:

Well said, can't explain it better than this guy here. Repped for a quality post.

[NotYetGreat]

LOL people picking Billups.

Only people picking Billups are probly young kids. AI's impact in BASKETBALL at one point was too much for Billups to even come close.

Feel bad for AI these days. No respect for the Answer

Well, it's not saying who's made the biggest impact on the sport. It's just asking who do you prefer.

[Bodhi]

Well, it's not saying who's made the biggest impact on the sport. It's just asking who do you prefer.

It's asking who's better and AI made a bigger impact on basketball because he's far, far better than Billups.

AI having a bad year and Billups having a good year doesn't negate the rest of their careers.

[chains5000]

Is this some kind of joke?
I've never really liked AI, always thought he was overrated, but he's clearly had the better career.
You can call him a cancer, ballhog, anything, but he wouldn't have won the MVP had he been that big of a black hole, right?

[NotYetGreat]

It's asking who's better and AI made a bigger impact on basketball because he's far, far better than Billups.

AI having a bad year and Billups having a good year doesn't negate the rest of their careers.

You still kinda answered the question everyone else was not supposed to answer try rewording it. Maybe "thus" instead of because. Just saying. I don't mean to come off spiteful or egoistical or anything. You're very right with the second statement, though. However, I still stand by my opinion (not fact). I still feel Chauncey has the better balance of skills and intangibles, which are both equally important parts of being a player. Iverson, however, probably is more gifted in terms of skills.

[G-train]

Iverson is a better SG, and prime Billups is a better PG.
Prime Billups played better winning bball. But Iverson's scoring numbers can't be denied.
So Iverson overall, but only just. I know I'd prefer prime Billups on my team thats for sure.

No one can honestly say Iverson was a better PG than Billups can they?

[BallersTalk]

AI's too undersized of a SG. It takes a very specific cast to work around him whereas you can insert Billups into any system.

[sergiorodriguez]

People picking Billups are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the more traditional/unselfish player. Like those people who pick foreign films over American ones just to seem more sophisticated.

Truth is AI is better. Period. Even looking at just the stats posted. AI has him beat in points, assists, FG%...AI has more accomplishments, better career, and when its all said and done AI will remain legendary and Billups will just be Chauncey, the guy that won finals MVP once. People saying finals MVP > season MVP...so does that mean Tony Parker is better than AI too? Does it mean back in 08 Pierce was better than Kobe?

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random efficiency stats, pull out whatever, but AI > Billups. Period.
im just judging it on I'd rather have a guy with a championship ring, and finals MVP then regular season MVP who could never win it all and kills his team with ballhog antics.

[godofgods]

Scoring wise, it's AI, no contest.
Everything else, it's Billups.

I still prefer AI though, Billups has a nickname that he never deserved.

[oh the horror]

Aren't they the same thing? How can you distinguish the two?



There are some great, great players that have come and gone throughout the league, but werent exactly the greatest in terms of your classic definition of a "teammate"....know what i mean? Billups can be introduced into a system, and these days, work it out, make people better, etc..


AI is a bit harder now to get it going in that dept....requires a bit more attention....at times can be drama, etc.


GREAT, GREAT player.....a bit "eh" on the teammate side.

[iamgine]

Who was the better player, Allen Iverson or Chauncey Billups?

Chauncey Billups

[lukekarts]

People picking Billups are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the more traditional/unselfish player. Like those people who pick foreign films over American ones just to seem more sophisticated.

Truth is AI is better. Period. Even looking at just the stats posted. AI has him beat in points, assists, FG%...AI has more accomplishments, better career, and when its all said and done AI will remain legendary and Billups will just be Chauncey, the guy that won finals MVP once. People saying finals MVP > season MVP...so does that mean Tony Parker is better than AI too? Does it mean back in 08 Pierce was better than Kobe?

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random efficiency stats, pull out whatever, but AI > Billups. Period.

In saying what you've said, you've just become the person you hate. Let me rephrase for you:

People picking AI are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the player with the best PPG stats. Like those people who pick American films over foreign ones because they don't understand them.

Truth is Billups is better. Period. Even looking at just the accomplishments posted. When its all said and done Chauncey will remain legendary and AI will just be AI, the guy that put up hollow points, never won anything, and left the NBA with a reputation as team cancer. People saying finals MVP > season MVP have a point - being able to win on the biggest stage matters and you can't deny a performance that wins a ring.

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random PPG stats, pull out whatever, but Billups > AI. Period.

[RaininTwos]

In saying what you've said, you've just become the person you hate. Let me rephrase for you:

People picking AI are picking him because its the "basketball expert" thing to do to pick the player with the best PPG stats. Like those people who pick American films over foreign ones because they don't understand them.

Truth is Billups is better. Period. Even looking at just the accomplishments posted. When its all said and done Chauncey will remain legendary and AI will just be AI, the guy that put up hollow points, never won anything, and left the NBA with a reputation as team cancer. People saying finals MVP > season MVP have a point - being able to win on the biggest stage matters and you can't deny a performance that wins a ring.

I never knew basketball snobs existed til i got to ISH and saw some of the stupid $hit people say to try and seem like they "know the game" more than the average fan. Pull out random PPG stats, pull out whatever, but Billups > AI. Period.
:oldlol: :violin: AI>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Billups.

[lukekarts]

:oldlol: :violin: AI>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Billups.

Turn on your sarcasm detector :applause:

[RaininTwos]

Turn on your sarcasm detector :applause:
You weren't serious, but someone reading your post actually agreed with you. You should have waited before giving yourself away like that.

[HylianNightmare]

http://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/nba-allen-iverson-the-answer-large.jpg

[snipes12]

Pierce > Dirk

pierce>lebron :hammerhead:

[goldenryan]

Turn on your sarcasm detector :applause:
http://www.contraditorium.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/sarcasm-detector-thumb.jpg

[The_Yearning]

lmfao is this a serious fkin question??? Iverson without a shot of a doubt...best little man to ever play the fkin game. (under 6ft niggs)

[HylianNightmare]

though i like iverson more this still makes me chuckle
http://www.nbarumors.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/comparison.jpg

[hoopaddict08]

Chauncey Billups career had a rough start before he became the player that he is today. However, Allen Iverons career seems to be having a rough finish.

Just look at this offseason, teams around the league showed very little interest in him. Memphis was one of a few options he had. You can put the blame on the Piston organization, but truth is, no-one wants a thirty-four year old scorer with a big ego. Who was the better player? Chauncey Billups. The guy was never a superstar, never got the max-contract, never got the true respect he deserved.

Allen Iverson was almost impossible to defend in his prime, but in his prime he could never defend. The only time he was a leader, was when he had the ball in his hands and carried his team on his back offensively. What did that result in? First round exits, one Finals appearance, scoring titles, and MVP's (all-star, league). Does that really make him a better player? In my opinon, no.

Chauncey Billups is known as a leader, a strong defender, clutch-shooter, a good team-mate, and a former Finals MVP. He never had an impressive stat-line, but he always knew his role well. He is a guy that teams can win with and to me, that is more important that any individual accomplishment.

[Kungfro]

Both of them are former Pistons now...


http://images.starcraftmazter.net/4chan/for_forums/thats_the_joke.jpg

I'm gonna go with AI. I mean just looking at the career stats should tell you who's better.

[Rake2204]

I still prefer AI though, Billups has a nickname that he never deserved.
You know, I'll say Billups earned that nickname, but once it was bestowed upon him, he didn't particularly live up to it. Beginning in the 2002-2003 season, it seemed like Billups began hitting game-winning buzzer beaters in clusters, culminating with the half court shot against New Jersey in the 2004 playoffs.

From that point on, I think we all kind of expected him to drill every game-winning shot opportunity. He still made big shots in the clutch, but perhaps not as frequently as that first stint in '03.

Vs. Hawks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X2_pSVSjKU&feature=related

Vs. Warriors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT-nQJ6kwWc&feature=related

Vs. Nets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9QTduwA49k&feature=related

[Abraham Lincoln]

Not to disrespect Billups, as he has been the #2 PG of the decade in terms of leadership after Kidd, but this is Iverson quite easily.


One must judge Allen under proper context. The 2001 76ers upon the Mutombo acquisition were the 3rd best team that the East has produced since Chicago, only behind LB's Pistons & Doc's Celtics. As superb as their half court defense was, their transition defense was not nearly as strong, therefore heavily depending on their offense to set their defense. Full court pressure led by Snow, McKie, Bell, & Iverson with Hill & Mutombo inside. Under modern rules they's get into the penalty early, therefore this has been forgotten. As the recent blog article pointing out Mutombo as their top player that year shows how much the game has changed in such a short time as well how undervalued Allen has become. Mutombo however was indeed near equal as for importance to the team in the Finals against O'Neal.



As for an offensive chucker relying on FG%, one must look at how hard he had to work as an undersized SG for nearly every shot. Indeed he was settling at times, however was superior to any modern wing at putting pressure on the defense getting to the line. After the 2004 league rule enforcements, one shall see a statistical comparison of a past prime Iverson against the alleged peaks of similar scorers such as Bryant & Wade.


2005-06 Allen Iverson

30 years old


33 ppg, 7 ast, 3 rbs, 2 stl, 45% FG, 54% TS





2005-06 Kobe Bryant

27 years old


35 ppg, 5 ast, 5 rbs, 2 stl, 45% FG, 56% TS





2008-09 Dwyane Wade

27 years old


30 ppg, 8 ast, 5 rbs, 2 stl, 49% FG, 57% TS






And yet another note of point be to see the usage rate % of Allen on the 76ers.


Allen Iverson:

2000-01: 35.9%
2005-06: 35.8%


His usage rate remains identical yet he sees an increase in points, assists, FT attempts, offensive rating, and in general overall offensive efficiency whilst seeing a decrease in rebounding.


Point being to rank Allen in context and rid the shameless tarnishing of this 76ers living legend's name with words such as cancer.

[Orlando Magic]

Allen Iverson.

[comerb]

Iverson if you throw them on a random street court somewhere.

If I'm building a championship caliber team though, I'd take Billups.

[LostCause]

Iverson was the better player

[FatComputerNerd]

Iverson

I always thought Billups was overrated actually, but even if ranked where most people put him AI was still >

[bizil]

This is easily AI! I NEVER UNDERSTAND when superstars get compared to solid All Star types. Superstars should get compared to superstars! These two shouldn't even be compared to begin with. Billups was very good but he was NEVER GREAT! A touch more scoring dominance or passing ability is what stopped him from being a great player. I think a touch more in either category would have made him a great player.

But in the all around sense (scoring, passing, and defense as a package), Billups could arguably be a top 10 PG of all time. After the guys like Walt, GP, Dennis Johnson, CP3, etc., I think Billups name could come up soon.

[Goofsta Knicca]

This is easily AI! I NEVER UNDERSTAND when superstars get compared to solid All Star types. Superstars should get compared to superstars! These two shouldn't even be compared to begin with. Billups was very good but he was NEVER GREAT! A touch more scoring dominance or passing ability is what stopped him from being a great player. I think a touch more in either category would have made him a great player.

But in the all around sense (scoring, passing, and defense as a package), Billups could arguably be a top 10 PG of all time. After the guys like Walt, GP, Dennis Johnson, CP3, etc., I think Billups name could come up soon.

Not a superstar... not a superstar... we talkin' Billups.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eGDBR2L5kzI/hqdefault.jpg