New thread idea: Top 10 most SKILLED players of all-time

[INDI]

No accomplishment, physical dominance, longevity, era etc. Don't matter if their career was short lived due to injury or if you hate them as a player. Who are the most SKILLED players to play this game? Players that had all the tools to be in the conversation of GOAT if luck was on their side and the won the multiple championships, mvps and league accomplishments

Mine is ( in no particular order)

Jordan -still there

Jabbar- unstoppable move no matter the era

Kobe - possibly the most skilled player ever

Hakeem - see above

Lebron - basketball Adonis

Penny - magic Johnson with hops

Magic - penny with superior court vision, so good that he played as if he was at the playground

Barkley- possibly the pound for pound most versatile players


Dirk - a 7 foot superstar that shoots like a 3pt specialist

Durant- if I were making a perfect player in 2k I would make A wingman that got hops, was super tall, pure shooter and handle like a pg. meet durant

honorable mentions: iverson, Garnett, d rose

[wagexslave]

Steve Nash deserves a mention. Pure skill player. Without his skills, he'd be nothing. He's one of the best ever in the league at Passing, Shooting, and Play-making. For someone to be one of the best ever at 3 important, completely different skills, is pretty insane.

[Hands of Iron]

No Bird? :(

[KyrieTheFuture]

How the **** is Bird not on here? Him and Hakeem are my top two hands down.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

No order:

Jordan
Magic
Kobe
Bird
Hakeem
Kareem
LeBron
Duncan
D-wade
Barkley

[JaggerCommaMick]

Lebron and Durant on the 'most skilled' list and not Duncan, Nash, or Iverson?

:facepalm

[Rubio2Gasol]

Well...this is tough....I'm gonna just go by position because we could end up listing a slew of Point guards.

Magic/Nash
Kobe/Jordan.
Bird
Duncan
Hakeem.

Controversial call on Kobe but I think he's slightly more complete offensively than Jordan, his post game gives him a little edge.But honestly,I don't really know for sure.Jordan was the better athlete and I may be punishing him for how great an athlete he was.

But for me Kobe was slightly more "skilled"

As for Jabbar....I think there's some distance between Prime Hakeem and Prime him as far as pure offensive skill goes.

[INDI]

How the **** is Bird not on here? Him and Hakeem are my top two hands down.

I just believe that if every player had the same amount of mvps championships etc... It would all come down to skill and though he would be on the top 20, these guys would get the nod

[OmniStrife]

Steve Nash deserves a mention. Pure skill player. Without his skills, he'd be nothing. He's one of the best ever in the league at Passing, Shooting, and Play-making. For someone to be one of the best ever at 3 important, completely different skills, is pretty insane.
His ball handling is also one of the best I've seen...
Not flashy or complicated, just plain efficient and way controlled.

[INDI]

Lebron and Durant on the 'most skilled' list and not Duncan, Nash, or Iverson?

:facepalm

I edited and put ai on the honorable mentions

[JaggerCommaMick]

Mates, Lebron has been the best player in the league for the last 5 or 6 years.

But it's only because the skill he does have is uncanny for a bloke of his size and athleticism. He is not one of the most skilled players of all time. That's pure madness.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Stopped reading after Lebron

[INDI]

The thing that is so amazing about Jabbar is that you can take his exact game and drop it in any era and I believe he would still do what he did. His move was simply unstoppable

[andgar923]

:oldlol: this thread

[CAstill]

No accomplishment, physical dominance, longevity, era etc. Don't matter if their career was short lived due to injury or if you hate them as a player. Who are the most SKILLED players to play this game? Players that had all the tools to be in the conversation of GOAT if luck was on their side and the won the multiple championships, mvps and league accomplishments

Mine is ( in no particular order)

Jordan -still there

Jabbar- unstoppable move no matter the era

Kobe - possibly the most skilled player ever

Hakeem - see above

Lebron - basketball Adonis

Penny - magic Johnson with hops

Magic - penny with superior court vision, so good that he played as if he was at the playground

Barkley- possibly the pound for pound most versatile players


Dirk - a 7 foot superstar that shoots like a 3pt specialist

Durant- if I were making a perfect player in 2k I would make A wingman that got hops, was super tall, pure shooter and handle like a pg. meet durant

honorable mentions: iverson, Garnett, d rose




Jordan
Kobe
Hakeem
Wilt
Bird
Kareem
Prime Vince Carter and Tmac
Barkley
Dirk

[INDI]

Stopped reading after Lebron

I am actually a Lebron hater (sort of) but I do know that though he uses his physical abilities to do most of his damage, the man really has a gift. He has that it factor that players rarely have. Also that's just my list, feel free to come up with your own

[INDI]

:oldlol: this thread
What is your 10?

[RaininTwos]

Some different names I've considered:

Melo - His offensive repertoire is on an all time level. He has moves for every spot on the floor plus he can just rise over you for jumper. Ridiculous.

KG- He has range out to like 18-20 feet, an above average post game, great rebounder and a great defender/defensive achor

D-Rob is another crazy good player that people really overlook. This guy was immense. Think KG but better scoring :bowdown:

[tmacattack33]

1995 and up:

Mugsey Bogues
Steve Nash
Isiah (yes, not 1995 and up but he's regarded by many as the best under 6 foot ever so I'll roll with their recommendations)
Iverson
Stockton
Jason Kidd
Tim Hardaway
S. Marbury
Damon Stoudemire
CP3


Make any of these guys 6-6 and they'd completely dominate. Nash and Kidd are 6'4 already, but give them some more athleticism (and two more inches) and they'd completely dominate.

[livingby3's]

Lebron and Durant on the 'most skilled' list and not Duncan, Nash, or Iverson?

:facepalm

this. if its fundamentals and skills, even though Lebron is the best player in the world right now, but he should not make this list.

Way too many good players are products of their athleticism, strengths these days. not taking anything from them, but Shaq, Lebron, Wade are instant examples of players dominant because of they physical attributes. but if we are talking real skills, u know these players have it when they still excel even when their body starts to deteriorate.

Listing active players, Nash's mechanics, Kobe's footwork, Duncan's fundamentals. along with Ray Allen, are some obvious names.

[Deuce Bigalow]

I am actually a Lebron hater (sort of) but I do know that though he uses his physical abilities to do most of his damage, the man really has a gift. He has that it factor that players rarely have. Also that's just my list, feel free to come up with your own
He has skills obviously since he is a great player, but one of the best all-time?
On the level of Hakeem, Jordan, Kobe, Bird, ect?

[INDI]

Out of all the careers that didn't pan out, I am most disappointed with penny hardaway. He is the one player that had it not been for injuries, he could have truly made it in the top ten

[jlip]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZE8JtnkGL._SS500_.jpg

Full Title:The Art of Basketball: A Guide to Self-Improvement in the Fundamentals of the Game

[Rubio2Gasol]

Some different names I've considered:

D-Rob is another crazy good player that people really overlook. This guy was immense. Think KG but better scoring :bowdown:

Maybe but the way Hakeem raped him in his prime tells you all you need to know about their comparative skill levels.

Actually, you mentioned KG. but Sheed might sneak onto my list, turnaround jumper was water.

[INDI]

He has skills obviously since he is a great player, but one of the best all-time?
On the level of Hakeem, Jordan, Kobe, Bird, ect?

I get your point. I think people would have really seen Lebron in a different light had the cavs developed and used him as a pg. he was drafted to be the pg and he had for the longest time operated as if he was one, but when the staff and the league seen his amazing scoring ability the plan was scrapped. Though this Lebron was better for his career. And alltime placement, I would've preferred the pg Lebron and he would have been a valid candidate for this thread

[RaininTwos]

Maybe but the way Hakeem raped him in his prime tells you all you need to know about their comparative skill levels.

You are letting one series determine your perspective on a player's skill level?

[Hands of Iron]

How the **** is Bird not on here? Him and Hakeem are my top two hands down.

This, This, This.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7tPZ-KljR0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_muwAT1I-ZM

:bowdown:

[1987_Lakers]

Absolute shame that the OP did not mention Bird, he is probably the most skilled ever and still no mention of Bill Walton? Walton at his peak was arguably the most skilled big man to ever play.

Bird
Walton
Jordan
Kobe
Hakeem
Magic
Nash
Kareem
Barkley
Dirk

[Round Mound]

Oscar Robertson
Magic Johnson
John Stockton
Larry Bird
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Hakeem Olajuwon
Charles Barkley
Kevin McHale

[TMacMagic]

Not sure about the 9 others but Oscar Robertson is number 1.

[Young X]

No order:

KG
Bird
MJ
Kobe
Nash
CP3
Hakeem
Magic
Iverson
Stockton

HM: Barkley, D-Will

[alleykat]

jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Bird, Magic, KAJ, Garnett, Duncan.....these are the ones i've actually witnessed

for the ones i haven't seen and only heard ,
Pistol Pete as well as bigO

[1987_Lakers]

Kevin McHale
[/B]

26 ppg. 60 fg% . 84 ft%. Skill! He wasn't an athletic freak so he had to rely mostly on skill offensively, not to mention he was a very skilled defensive player as well.

[L.Kizzle]

David Thompson

[JaggerCommaMick]

McHale is a great call, whichever chap I noticed brought his name up.

Depending on what you emphasize as skills you could start namin players like Jason Williams and Jamal Tinsley. Aint that a riot, mates? But they were certainly known for their effortless ball handling and skillful control.

Cheers, mates :cheers:

[Sarcastic]

Muggsy Bogues has to be top 10.

[Round Mound]

26 ppg. 60 fg% . 84 ft%. Skill! He wasn't an athletic freak so he had to rely mostly on skill offensively, not to mention he was a very skilled defensive player as well.

:applause: I Call Him the Post Move Arquitect. Lets Not Forget About that 8 ft Wingspam...That Helped Him Alot. That and his IQ in the Paint Offensively and Defensively Made Him Unstoppable. Barkley`s Toughest Matchup :bowdown:

[RIP CITY]

Notably missing from this thread is Prime Grant Hill.

In no order:

Jordan
Oscar
Wilt
Kobe
Bird
Kareem
Hakeem
Garnett
Duncan
Robinson
Iverson
Hill
T-Mac
CP3
Magic
Barkley
Penny

To name a few...

[Deuce Bigalow]

Round Mound, why was Chuck less efficient than Kobe in his lone Playoff run to the NBA Finals ? (Kobe's TS% and eFG% in '08, '09, '10 Playoffs > than Chuck's '93 Playoffs)

[Rooster]

Absolute shame that the OP did not mention Bird, he is probably the most skilled ever and still no mention of Bill Walton? Walton at his peak was arguably the most skilled big man to ever play.

Bird
Walton
Jordan
Kobe
Hakeem
Magic
Nash
Kareem
Barkley
Dirk


:applause: Dirk is very skilled no doubt but I place Jerry West over him.

[bizil]

Personally for me, u can go about this a number of ways. For me I think guys who are great scorers, great passers, great defenders, and great rebounders (relative for their position) all in one need to be mentioned in a special category. Now some of my guys might be lacking in the D department, but they are so epic in skill that they have to be on the list. Or for some bigs they might lack the great passing skill, but they exhibited enough to be known as very heady-above average passers for big men. In other words, I kind of view this as who are the most versatile players who do the most things great. Perimeter and big man wise:

Perimeter Wise my top ten:

MJ
Kobe
Lebron
Big O
Prime G Hill
Magic
Bird
West
Barry
Wade-T Mac

I wanted Pip on this list SO bad, but his scoring acumen isn't on the level of these guys.

When u throw in defense, MJ, Kobe, Wade, and Lebron seperate themselves from this pack.

Bigs wise:

KG
Walton
Hakeem
Kareem
Wilt
Timmy
Barkley
Webber
Robinson
McHale

[bizil]

Now if u are talking guys who are the best on a technical level in terms of who are flat out great shooters and passers in one then u got Bird, Nash, West, Pistol Pete, Barry, etc. If you are talking guys with the best scoring skillsets that have epic deep shooting range then you got guys like Bird, West, Durant, Dirk, Ray Allen, McAdoo, etc. If u take out the epic shooting range part, then of course you got MJ, Kobe, Melo, T Mac, Pierce, Aguirre (my sleeper pick), etc.

[BoutPractice]

Not a top 10, but players whose overall skill level is truly special not mentioned too often so far would include...

Among current players:
Chris Paul
Manu
Deron Williams
Pau

Among retired players:
Toni Kukoc
Chris Webber
Rasheed Wallace

Then there are also guys like Dejan Bodiroga, a European Bird of sorts whose game was 100% pure skill. He would school everyone with old man fakes, impeccable footwork and one of the softest touches you could imagine, all while dishing out all sorts of fancy assists out of nowhere.

[Smoke117]

Not a top 10, but players whose overall skill level is truly special not mentioned too often so far would include...

Among current players:
Chris Paul
Manu
Deron Williams
Pau

Among retired players:
Toni Kukoc
Chris Webber
Rasheed Wallace

Then there are also guys like Dejan Bodiroga, a European Bird of sorts whose game was 100% pure skill. He would school everyone with old man fakes, impeccable footwork and one of the softest touches you could imagine, all while dishing out all sorts of fancy assists out of nowhere.

Toni Kukoc? I don't get that at all. He was just a poor mans Scottie Pippen basically who was a bad rebounder and a horrendous defensive player. The only thing he had on pippen was a more natural jump shot, but he was never more skilled than Pippen, so I don't see why you would have him up there. Pippen did EVERYTHING else better and wasn't considered the best all around player in the league because he lacked skills. He did everything and most of it at a high level. Is he top 10? I dunno, but Toni freaking Kukoc certainly was not more skilled than him, so I dunno why you would post his name.

[Owl]

Toni Kukoc? I don't get that at all. He was just a poor mans Scottie Pippen basically who was a bad rebounder and a horrendous defensive player. The only thing he had on pippen was a more natural jump shot, but he was never more skilled than Pippen, so I don't see why you would have him up there. Pippen did EVERYTHING else better and wasn't considered the best all around player in the league because he lacked skills. He did everything and most of it at a high level. Is he top 10? I dunno, but Toni freaking Kukoc certainly was not more skilled than him, so I dunno why you would post his name.
Not that I would have listed Kukoc myself, but I'm guessing because the areas you highlighted (D and rebounding) often aren't considered as skills.
Pippen's advantages in those areas are substantial (huge in terms of defense) and he was clearly the better player.
Pippen was also the better athlete and taking that out would also harm Pippen.
So if it's just offense minus athleticism (not including offensive boards) Kukoc is at least comparable with Pippen, and quite plausibly better. As you have said Kukoc was the superior shooter and he was probably a comparable (and certainly flashier) passer. By that limited definition of skill I don't think Kukoc as more "skilled" is unreasonable.

[BoutPractice]

When did I say Kukoc was more skilled than Pippen?
I just said he deserved mention as a player of considerable all-around skill (especially for his height) which is hardly debatable.

[KyrieTheFuture]

I just believe that if every player had the same amount of mvps championships etc... It would all come down to skill and though he would be on the top 20, these guys would get the nod

You are either a troll or a moron.

[Smoke117]

Not that I would have listed Kukoc myself, but I'm guessing because the areas you highlighted (D and rebounding) often aren't considered as skills.
Pippen's advantages in those areas are substantial (huge in terms of defense) and he was clearly the better player.
Pippen was also the better athlete and taking that out would also harm Pippen.
So if it's just offense minus athleticism (not including offensive boards) Kukoc is at least comparable with Pippen, and quite plausibly better. As you have said Kukoc was the superior shooter and he was probably a comparable (and certainly flashier) passer. By that limited definition of skill I don't think Kukoc as more "skilled" is unreasonable.

He was a superior shooter, but he wasn't a great one. If Pippen was decent than Kukoc was just simply good. Besides that Pippen was a much better ball handler, much better at taking his man off the dribble, and much better in the post. Like I said besides the fact that Kukoc had a better jump shot, he;s skilled at exactly nothing more than Pippen. I only bring up Scottie PIppen because that's basically what Toni Kukoc was offensively...a poor mans Scottie Pippen.

[kennethgriffin]

Kobe
Jordan
Bird
Hakeem
Maravich
Barry
Stockton
Nash
Oscar
Gervin


pretty easy list

[riseagainst]

Kobe
Jordan
Bird
Hakeem
Maravich
Barry
Stockton
Nash
Oscar
Gervin


pretty easy list

:rockon:

[jlip]

I think that it would be beneficial if the term "skilled" were concretely defined or at least if what qualified as genuine b-ball skills were itemized. It seems as if many people equate b-ball skills predominately with nice scoring moves, a jumper, and maybe some fancy passing thrown in.

"Street lingo today translates "skills" as the ability to dribble the ball behind your back or off your knee. But knowing how to run a good fast break is a skill. So is busting your hump and getting out on the wing and filling the lane at the proper angle. Teams don't run the way we did anymore.

Knowing how to rub off a defender when you use a pick is a skill. Knowing how to feel a defender with your body and read the court to see where help is coming from is a skill. Knowing how to stay in control, pace yourself, and not use all your energy too early or give away all your tricks, that's a skill. Setting solid picks and knowing how to get yourself open from them; knowing how to hit a guy with a pass the exact moment he frees himself and how to get him the ball in a place and at a time that allows him to shoot in rhythm; getting position low on the post; boxing out; playing solid man to man defense while also knowing where the ball is - those are skills."

Oscar Robertson in The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game.

[nightprowler10]

In no particular order:

MJ
Bird
Magic
Hakeem
Kareem
AI
Kobe
Stockton
KG
Dirk

Notice the lack of oldies that I haven't seen as much of.

[Round Mound]

Round Mound, why was Chuck less efficient than Kobe in his lone Playoff run to the NBA Finals ? (Kobe's TS% and eFG% in '08, '09, '10 Playoffs > than Chuck's '93 Playoffs)

Cause He Got Elbow Injured While Getting an Offensive Rebound in Game 2. He Played the Rest of the Finals With an Elbow Protector and his Shooting Was Off a Bit.

Barkly Was Not Lucky to Play With a 2 Top 5 Big Men in Gasol and Bynum and a Versatile Odom in his Prime and Their Primes. The Game is Quite Easy Offensively When You Play With a Twin Tower System That Skilled.

27.3 PPG, 13.0 RPG and 5.5 APG are NOT BAD Stats for a Player Playing with Injuries :no:

Kobe Would Not Have Won Anything Had He Played in an Average Team in the 80s or Mid-Early 90s: Tougher Era than Today

[fsvr54]

Now if u are talking guys who are the best on a technical level in terms of who are flat out great shooters and passers in one then u got Bird, Nash, West, Pistol Pete, Barry, etc. If you are talking guys with the best scoring skillsets that have epic deep shooting range then you got guys like Bird, West, Durant, Dirk, Ray Allen, McAdoo, etc. If u take out the epic shooting range part, then of course you got MJ, Kobe, Melo, T Mac, Pierce, Aguirre (my sleeper pick), etc.


Tmac had epic range

[pauk]

No specific order (except Oscar at #1, that im very sure of, he could do everything on the court with the best of them, literally, 30-10-10 and im sure he was not a bad perimeter defender):
1. Oscar

Barkley
Bird
Jordan
Lebron
Prime Grant Hill
Hakeem
Magic
Prime T-Mac
Jerry West

[Pointguard]

Personally for me, u can go about this a number of ways. For me I think guys who are great scorers, great passers, great defenders, and great rebounders (relative for their position) all in one need to be mentioned in a special category. Now some of my guys might be lacking in the D department, but they are so epic in skill that they have to be on the list. Or for some bigs they might lack the great passing skill, but they exhibited enough to be known as very heady-above average passers for big men. In other words, I kind of view this as who are the most versatile players who do the most things great. Perimeter and big man wise:


I think that it would be beneficial if the term "skilled" were concretely defined or at least if what qualified as genuine b-ball skills were itemized. It seems as if many people equate b-ball skills predominately with nice scoring moves, a jumper, and maybe some fancy passing thrown in.

"But knowing how to run a good fast break is a skill. So is busting your hump and getting out on the wing and filling the lane at the proper angle.

Knowing how to rub off a defender when you use a pick is a skill. Knowing how to feel a defender with your body and read the court to see where help is coming from is a skill. Knowing how to stay in control, pace yourself, and not use all your energy too early or give away all your tricks, that's a skill. Setting solid picks and knowing how to get yourself open from them; knowing how to hit a guy with a pass the exact moment he frees himself and how to get him the ball in a place and at a time that allows him to shoot in rhythm; getting position low on the post; boxing out; playing solid man to man defense while also knowing where the ball is - those are skills."

Oscar Robertson in The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game.
This is along my line of thinking. Without a definition everybody is going off on a tangent.

Chronologically:

Wilt
Big O
West
Bird
Magic

MJ
Hakeem
KG
Kobe
TD

Honorable Mention
Young Grant Hill. Young Bill Walton. Young Kareem

Right now
CP, Young Kidd, Lebron

[bizil]

No specific order (except Oscar at #1, that im very sure of, he could do everything on the court with the best of them, literally, 30-10-10 and im sure he was not a bad perimeter defender):
1. Oscar

Barkley
Bird
Jordan
Lebron
Prime Grant Hill
Hakeem
Magic
Prime T-Mac
Jerry West

Great point about Big O! If anything, I'm sure he was an above average perimeter defender. Especially if u factor in his smarts, strength, athletic ability, versatility to defend PG, SG, SF, and Im sure even some PF's back then. He might not be qualify as "great" but I'm sure above average. Kind of like Lebron before he turned into a great defender.

[CavaliersFTW]

No Bird? :(
lol b-b-b-b-but Bird was suuuuuuper athletic das y he wuz so good :hammerhead:

[bizil]

I think to qualify for these kind of list, u have to be a great or dominant player. U can't just be All Star level or even below. Perimeter wise the competition is even tougher than down low. U got guys like Pippen, Frazier, Payton, Kidd, Isiah, Iverson, Tiny, etc. who were epic in skills in their own way. Which is why these list at times can be confusing. For example, Lebron's total scoring skillset is far from being a top 10 most skilled. But his floor game and versatility make him epic in skill of course. If u look at the stats, Bron is a top 2-3 most skilled player of all time.

Is defense and boards considered a skill? What about smaller guards 6'3 and under who pound for pound are as skilled as anybody in terms of passing, shooting, scoring, dribbling, etc.? That's why u really can't go wrong at all with MJ and Kobe perimeter wise. They have all the bases covered in terms of scoring skillset (not epic three point shooters like Bird, Durant, Ray, or Reggie but are capable of epic moments shooting the three ball), defense, passing, versatility, athletic ability, and flat out fundamentals. I consider those two frankly the most perfect basketball players ever. But then u have guys like Magic, Bron, and KG who can play virtually every position, which is something that MJ or Kobe could never do. I can go on and on and on! lol

[bizil]

Tmac had epic range

T Mac had the range, but I don't think of T Mac as flat out an epic three point shooter. I'm talking like Bird, Durant, Ray, West, Miller, Nash, Peja, Rice, Ellis, Price, etc. Mac was certainly above average, but I don't really consider as great. All the guys I named are great catch and shoot three point shooters. And some them also have very good-great handle and can work their way into their shot as well. Now off the dribble or transition, T Mac I would consider damn close if not a great three point shooter. But catch and shoot in the halfcourt I just don't view him quite on the level that say KD is now. I feel every great three point shooter HAS to be a great catch and shoot three point shooter.

For example, could T Mac adapt his game like Ray did and Boston and become a flat out three point specialist (shooting 40% and up)? I don't think so and wouldn't want T Mac in the role anyway. T Mac and Pierce are actually kind of similar in that way. Both above average three point shooters, but Ray was always on another level in that regard. But u know what, I could have seen TMac at his peak entering a three point shootout and winning a la Pierce a couple of years ago.

[Harison]

Insane skillset with no shortcomings:

Hakeem
Jordan

Everyone else had some shortcomings, even though a LOT of them were insanely skilled, like Bird, Magic, Garnett, Kareem, etc.

[Harison]

I also see a lot of fans posting pure scorers - IMO they dont qualify because there is more to offense than just scoring, and defense is another half of the game, where most of pure scorers doesnt have any skills at all, like Durant, Dirk, Iverson (ok, he could steal, but thats about it).

[L.A. Jazz]

KAJ, Bird, Dream, MJ, Barkley, Kobe,
Big O, Wilt, Frazier, Havlicek

[Sakkreth]

Sabonis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZizsAdutYo
Name me something he wasn't good at lol.

[westsideozzie]

Kobe's post game better than Mike's? GTFOH!

[Asukal]

Most skilled? I dunno about top ten but when it comes to overall game of offense and defense, MJ is top tier. If offense only, I'd pick Maravich as number 1, that man could shoot dribble and pass in amazing fashion. :bowdown:

[FreezingTsmoove]

Mates, Lebron has been the best player in the league for the last 5 or 6 years.

But it's only because the skill he does have is uncanny for a bloke of his size and athleticism. He is not one of the most skilled players of all time. That's pure madness.

Yeah because everyone with Lebrons size and athleticism has his BEST IN THE NBA COURT VISION.

[Pointguard]

Insane skillset with no shortcomings:

Hakeem
Jordan

Everyone else had some shortcomings, even though a LOT of them were insanely skilled, like Bird, Magic, Garnett, Kareem, etc.

I agree with you overall. Jordan is hard to find fault with in his game period. For arguments sake:

Jordan, to be picky, I would go with a couple of social skills (approachable, was a jerk, isolated players) -communication on the court too.

Hakeem, I would go with moving without the ball, setting a soid pick. And none of these things were at critical levels.

[jongib369]

Wilt and Bill Walton should be mentioned more :P.

I dont agree with the title but he was great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTGoG53bF4

[KevinNYC]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZE8JtnkGL._SS500_.jpg

Full Title:The Art of Basketball: A Guide to Self-Improvement in the Fundamentals of the Game

I was wondering when Oscar was going to get mentioned.

Was it Auerbach who said he had elite level skills in every aspect of basketball? Maybe it was Russell.

[jlauber]

Wilt and Bill Walton should be mentioned more :P.

I dont agree with the title but he was great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTGoG53bF4

Yep.

Chamberlain must have had some skills, since he was the game's greatest scorer, rebounder, and compared against the league average, probably the most efficient shooter of all-time. He not only won SEVEN scoring titles, NINE FG% titles, and ELEVEN rebound titles...the man won ALL THREE in the SAME SEASON...THREE TIMES.

And PASSING is a skill...and here again, Chamberlain was, BY-FAR-AND-AWAY, the game's greatest PASSING CENTER. His 8.6 apg regular season, AND 9.2 apg post-season are nearly THREE apg better than ANY other center who has ever played the game. Oh, and BTW, he also finsihed THIRD in another season.

Defensively? Most everything points to Chamberlain being the greatest shot-blocker of all-time. Even in LAST TWO seasons, he was estimated (in large samples) of averaging 6-7+ bpg (and Kareem and Thurmond would be at 3.5 and 2.9 the very next season after Wilt retired....which is when the NBA "officially" recorded them.) Only Russell could challenge Wilt in this category, and after that, the next guys are MILES behind (including Kareem.)

And, as I have shown repeatedly, Chamberlain ROUTINELY held his OPPOSING centers WAY BELOW their normal shooting percentages. Just as Kareem, who couldn't hit the Grand Canyon from the ledge against Chamberlain in the majority of their 28 career H2H's. In their LAST TEN STRAIGHT GAMES, a 25-26 Kareem shot a collective .434 against a 35-36 Chamberlain. And Wilt was knocking his "unblockable" skyhook all over the gym, too.

Incidently, Chamberlain had a very good OUTSIDE game when he came into the NBA, as well as a variety of post moves.

In terms of pure SKILL, Chamberlain has to be right there with anyone else who has ever played the game...and in virtually EVERY category (Alright, his FT shooting was poor, but even then, he currently ranks 18th all-time (including ABA stats, in FTs MADE. And yes, you will find players like Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem, and Bird BEHIND him in that category.)

[roffie]

Imagine if nash had the athleticism of rose/westbrook. Goat PG?

[FrankTony]

Not true

Jordan was a below average 3p shooter and Hakeem was an average passer and both things are critical

[FrankTony]

Insane skillset with no shortcomings:

Hakeem
Jordan

Everyone else had some shortcomings, even though a LOT of them were insanely skilled, like Bird, Magic, Garnett, Kareem, etc.

Not true

Jordan was a below average 3p shooter and Hakeem was an average passer, below average FT shooter and both things are critical

[mrhoopfan]

Drazen Petrovic, Derrick coleman would be on honorable mention. Oscar Robertson should be top 10

[SHAQisGOAT]

All I know is that Maravich and Bird gotta be on that list.

[Pushxx]

This, This, This.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_muwAT1I-ZM

:bowdown:

I'd love to see people try these shots when they're practicing, let alone swarmed by defense in a game.

[Hands of Iron]

I'd love to see people try these shots when they're practicing, let alone swarmed by defense in a game.

Had actually forgot what video that link was for... Of course, It had to be Bird. :oldlol:

32/14/4 on 11/18. :applause:

[bizil]

Drazen Petrovic, Derrick coleman would be on honorable mention. Oscar Robertson should be top 10

Derrick Coleman was a beast who talent wise had GOAT PF type potential. He literally had it all in his game in terms of scoring, great range for big, passing, rebounding, great handles for a big, and could protect the paint. I think he's most likely a top 5-7 PF all time in terms of talent. U got KG, Barkley, Duncan, and Webber. Then u gotta thrown DC's name up there as well. Another PF with awesome levels of skill was Larry Johnson!

[INDI]

All I know is that Maravich and Bird gotta be on that list.

yeah i forgot about maravich, he is definitely up there

[spree43]

T-Mac

[get these NETS]

most skilled


Magic Johnson
Mike
Chris Webber
Paul Pressey (original point forward)
Adrian Dantley
Rick Barry
Oscar Robertson
Kidd
Dream
Hondo

[DaHeezy]

T Mac had the range, but I don't think of T Mac as flat out an epic three point shooter. I'm talking like Bird, Durant, Ray, West, Miller, Nash, Peja, Rice, Ellis, Price, etc. Mac was certainly above average, but I don't really consider as great. All the guys I named are great catch and shoot three point shooters. And some them also have very good-great handle and can work their way into their shot as well. Now off the dribble or transition, T Mac I would consider damn close if not a great three point shooter. But catch and shoot in the halfcourt I just don't view him quite on the level that say KD is now. I feel every great three point shooter HAS to be a great catch and shoot three point shooter.

For example, could T Mac adapt his game like Ray did and Boston and become a flat out three point specialist (shooting 40% and up)? I don't think so and wouldn't want T Mac in the role anyway. T Mac and Pierce are actually kind of similar in that way. Both above average three point shooters, but Ray was always on another level in that regard. But u know what, I could have seen TMac at his peak entering a three point shootout and winning a la Pierce a couple of years ago.


He said T-Mac had epic range, didn't say he was an epic 3-point shooter or accuracy. And T-Mac did have epic range.

[bizil]

He said T-Mac had epic range, didn't say he was an epic 3-point shooter or accuracy. And T-Mac did have epic range.

I realize exactly what he was talking about. I just broke down how I felt T-Mac's three point stroke was. I knew EXACTLY what dude was talking about and ACTUALLY agreed with what he was saying! Get your reading comprehension skills up! U do see what I said in the first sentence! I SAID T MAC HAD THE RANGE! LMBAO!

[Nash]

If people still can't respect Lebron's amazing skill and the fact that he's a high quality playmaker AND scorer then I have no idea what more to say.

[longtime lurker]

How the hell is Oscar Robinson not on that list?

[jlauber]

How the hell is Oscar Robinson not on that list?

And where is Chamberlain?

He of the owner of some 100+ NBA records.