Greatest Skillful Post Players of All Time Per Positions

[Round Mound]

Centers:

1-Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2-Hakeem Olajuwon
3-Shquielle ONiel
4-Wilt Chamberlain
5-Patrick Ewing

Powerforwards:

1-Kevin McHale
2-Charles Barkley
3-Tim Duncan
4-Karl Malone
5-Pau Gasol

Smallforwards:

1-Adrian Dantley
2-Larry Bird
3-Carmelo Anthony
4-Mark Aguirre
5-Dirk Nowitsky

Shootinguards:

1-Michael Jordan
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Kobe Bryant
4-Mitch Richmond
5-Andrew Toney

Pointguards:

1-Magic Johnson
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Gary Payton
4-Sidney Moncrief
5-Mark Jackson

[EnoughSaid]

Hakeem > Kareem in the post. Better footwork, more versatile, and better jumper. At least I think so. :lol

[PHILA]

Chet Walker deserves mention at SF. He was one of Dantley's idols growing up.


http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2008/09/hall-of-fame-words-of-wisdom-part-i.html

Dantley identified some early influences on his game: "I patterned my first step after my idol, Elgin Baylor. I copied Chet Walker's head and pump fakes and everybody always went for them; I scored a lot of points on that move.

[Round Mound]

Hakeem > Kareem in the post. Better footwork, more versatile, and better jumper. At least I think so. :lol

Kareem`s SKY HOOK = 60% FG Plus on 25 PPG Plus

Don`t Fall In Love With the Agility and Quickness of Hakeem`s Foot Work and Post Game...It Was Nicer To Watch but Kareem`s Shooting In The Paint Was More Efficient and Effective.

[imdaman99]

its kinda cheating for magic to be a point guard. 6'9 with those skills :eek:

[imdaman99]

Hakeem > Kareem in the post. Better footwork, more versatile, and better jumper. At least I think so. :lol
dude, you've never watched kareem play :oldlol: i havent either, which is why i would never make these kinda statements.

[Derivative]

Kareem`s SKY HOOK = 60% FG Plus on 25 PPG Plus

Don`t Fall In Love With the Agility and Quickness of Hakeem`s Foot Work and Post Game...It Was Nicer To Watch but Kareem`s Shooting In The Paint Was More Efficient and Effective.


the name of your thread is greatest SKILLFUL post players, in that case, hakeem is more skillful than Kareem

kareem is the more effective post player, but that's not the topic of ur thread

[Round Mound]

Chet Walker deserves mention at SF. He was one of Dantley's idols growing up.


http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2008/09/hall-of-fame-words-of-wisdom-part-i.html

Dantley identified some early influences on his game: "I patterned my first step after my idol, Elgin Baylor. I copied Chet Walker's head and pump fakes and everybody always went for them; I scored a lot of points on that move.

:applause: Are There Any of His Game Style Videos on Youtube?

Also Artils Gilmore...He Shot An Amazing FG% but He Was More like Shaq`s Early Days Based On Power (although Shaq Did Evolve Into a Great Post Player Skillwise, Artis Didn`t)

[Round Mound]

the name of your thread is greatest SKILLFUL post players, in that case, hakeem is more skillful than Kareem

kareem is the more effective post player, but that's not the topic of ur thread

Footwork Wise Yes Hakeem Was Better.. But a Skyhook is Also a Fundamental Skillful Part of the The Post Game :confusedshrug:

[G-Funk]

Magic
Kobe
Bird
Duncan
Hakeem

[Round Mound]

its kinda cheating for magic to be a point guard. 6'9 with those skills :eek:

True, It Was Unfair. He Was More like 6`8 ft but He Was Good In the Post Even Amonst SFs/PFs (See His Return at Age 36 in 1995-96, He Played Point-Powerforward)..And Yes, Babyhook Alll The Way :bowdown:

[no pun intended]

How the hell do you always write in bold and capitalize the first letter of each word?

[Myth]

I disagree with Patrick Ewing. Not saying he wasn't a good post player, but what made him effective IMO was that he had both decent post and face up skills.

[Harison]

Magic
Jordan
Bird
McHale
Hakeem

Easy choices.

[La Frescobaldi]

Centers:

1-Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2-Hakeem Olajuwon
3-Shquielle ONiel
4-Wilt Chamberlain
5-Patrick Ewing

Powerforwards:

1-Kevin McHale
2-Charles Barkley
3-Tim Duncan
4-Karl Malone
5-Pau Gasol

Smallforwards:

1-Adrian Dantley
2-Larry Bird
3-Carmelo Anthony
4-Mark Aguirre
5-Dirk Nowitsky

Shootinguards:

1-Michael Jordan
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Kobe Bryant
4-Mitch Richmond
5-Andrew Toney

Pointguards:

1-Magic Johnson
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Gary Payton
4-Sidney Moncrief
5-Mark Jackson

Jerry West has to be on this list. Walt Frazier has to be on this list.

I gotta think about this one a lot - nice thread

edit: Oh wait..... already I'm wrong........... POST GAME..... gosh that's different story

[Round Mound]

Jerry West has to be on this list. Walt Frazier has to be on this list.

I gotta think about this one a lot - nice thread

edit: Oh wait..... already I'm wrong........... POST GAME..... gosh that's different story

From the Videos I`ve Seen Jerry West has to be One of the Greatest Pure Shooters Ever. Great FG% for That Pace but I Have`tn Seen Him Play Much With his Back to the Basket. I Was About to Put Walt Fraizer cause Of His Strength but I Also Never Saw Him Play Much Back to the Basket. I Wish There Where More Detail Videos on These Players. :cheers:

[La Frescobaldi]

Chet Walker deserves mention at SF. He was one of Dantley's idols growing up.


http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2008/09/hall-of-fame-words-of-wisdom-part-i.html

Dantley identified some early influences on his game: "I patterned my first step after my idol, Elgin Baylor. I copied Chet Walker's head and pump fakes and everybody always went for them; I scored a lot of points on that move.

This is exactly right.
Great as he was early on, Chet the Jet wasn't even refined on the Sixers like he became later on with the Bulls. Dude was STRONG yet graceful creative and invented huge amounts of today's post game

[Round Mound]

I disagree with Patrick Ewing. Not saying he wasn't a good post player, but what made him effective IMO was that he had both decent post and face up skills.

He Had Both Those Skills but His Back to the Basket Game and Fadeways Through It Where Asoume To Watch. I Haven`t Seen Much Videos of Other Centers That is Why I Put Him at Top 5. Maybe There Where Other Better Post Game Centers but I Wasn`t There To See Them Live.

[La Frescobaldi]

From the Videos I`ve Seen Jerry West has to be One of the Greatest Pure Shooters Ever. Great FG% for That Pace but I Have`tn Seen Him Play Much With his Back to the Basket. I Was About to Put Walt Fraizer cause Of His Strength but I Also Never Saw Him Play Much Back to the Basket. I Wish There Where More Detail Videos on These Players. :cheers:
yeah i misread that............. Clyde could post a guy up to an elite level but not to the point of these unreal dudes and it was only an aspect of his monstrosity offense.
Jerry was not a post up guard, he faced the hoop generally/always.

[Round Mound]

yeah i misread that............. Clyde could post a guy up to an elite level but not to the point of these unreal dudes and it was only an aspect of his monstrosity offense.
Jerry was not a post up guard, he faced the hoop generally/always.

True...and Regarding JerryWest 27-29 PPG on 47% FG for That Pace? :bowdown: :applause: People Are Mentioning Kevin Durant But Are Sleeping On Jerry West In Terms of Pure Shooters and Pure Scorers of All Time

[EnoughSaid]

dude, you've never watched kareem play :oldlol: i havent either, which is why i would never make these kinda statements.
:lol Lmao I know. Just like Hakeem and he got better highlights too :D

[PHILA]

:applause: Are There Any of His Game Style Videos on Youtube?


The first video especially shows beautiful, yet simple fundamental footwork. He also had unique lean in shots in a 1 on 1 situation while facing up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9s (Step through move & pump fake to get the shot up over Russell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9m48s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnMbsY3xXaI&t=16s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVjBP78BZw&t=7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFHuN1zenY&t=1m50s (unorthodox baseline shot in All Star Game) :applause:

[La Frescobaldi]

True...and Regarding JerryWest 27-29 PPG on 47% FG for That Pace? :bowdown: :applause: People Are Mentioning Kevin Durant But Are Sleeping On Jerry West In Terms of Pure Shooters and Pure Scorers of All Time
they flat never saw Logo. They invented the words LIGHTS OUT for West.

When is NBA going to get off it's dead @ss and get old tapes out to the public!!

Dantley was amazing post player, one of the best ever. To me McHale just might be the greatest of all

[Round Mound]

The first video especially shows beautiful, yet simple fundamental footwork. He also had unique lean in shots in a 1 on 1 situation while facing up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9s (Step through move & pump fake to get the shot up over Russell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9m48s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnMbsY3xXaI&t=16s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVjBP78BZw&t=7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFHuN1zenY&t=1m50s (unorthodox baseline shot in All Star Game) :applause:

The Dude Reminds Me of Dantley Alot. Dude Had Great Balance. I Just Love How the Oldschool B-Ball Players Knew How To Use the Glass Better. Its a Sad Thing Today`s Players (most of them) are Lacking That In Their Games.

[Round Mound]

they flat never saw Logo. They invented the words LIGHTS OUT for West.

When is NBA going to get off it's dead @ss and get old tapes out to the public!!

Dantley was amazing post player, one of the best ever. To me McHale just might be the greatest of all

Jerry West was Probably the Greatest Pure Shooting SG Ever, The Best Passing SG and a Great Defender From What I Saw In The Vids. Sadly Todays NBA Fans Don`t Wan`t to Watch Anything but Dunks and How High Your Vertical Leap Is...Instead of Beutiful Fundamental at Work.

Dantley Was IMO along Charles Barkley the Most Versatile 2-Point FG Scorer. Barkley Learned Alot from Dantley.

McHale? Yes THEE GREATEST POST PLAYER EVER. Dude had Arms that Where Like Trees and He Moved His Body Like that of a Worm. That Mixed With His Foot Work, Creative Post Movements (2nd to none) and Beutiful Soft Touch for a 6`10 Dude Was Just Remarkable. There is Not Other PF I Love To Watch More (other than Sir Charles) Than Kevin "The Black Hole" McHale...Simply :bowdown:

[iggy>]

If this thread is about skillful post players, then why is shaq mentioned? Unless raw power is considered "Skillful."

[Round Mound]

If this thread is about skillful post players, then why is shaq mentioned? Unless raw power is considered "Skillful."

Shaq had The Greatest Post Spin Move after Charles Barkley in NBA History. He Had Beutiful Touch Around the Basket: Jump Hooks, Leaners, and Releases...He Wasn`t Just About Dunking Power. He Was a Mix of Power and Skill.

[j3lademaster]

I have to admit this is the first time I sat down and extensively watched big O clips, but please explain to me how in the hell is this guy supposedly more skilled than Bean? Kobe has a legit argument of having more skilled in terms a broader arsenal of post moves than mj himself (albeit mj being clearly more effective from the post due to superior physical gifts, iq, and pure nastiness).

edit: "being more skilled"

[j3lademaster]

Shaq had The Greatest Post Spin Move after Charles Barkley in NBA History. He Had Beutiful Touch Around the Basket: Jump Hooks, Leaners, and Releases...He Wasn`t Just About Dunking Power. He Was a Mix of Power and Skill.

I agree. Shaq's a victim of his own dominance. When you make everything look THAT easy, it doesn't look as impressive after a while.

[SHAQisGOAT]

C
1. Hakeem - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22O2lApCBBs
2. Kareem - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAz8EpuNUM
3. probably Wilt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCWrGWuU2Ak

PF
1. McHale - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdtgUOiWHJg
2. Duncan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5oz2Ib_QwE
3. Barkley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTMFTQFvO_8

SF
1. Dantley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdO_3iW5QAA
2. Bird - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBnwSeMiVaU
3. King, Aguirre, even Worthy and Melo... - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmpDpEmMEFo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBQGvJhmHXs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rnWHJphvh8

SG
1. Jordan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-VcA2QZEFU
2. Kobe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6QrlETe03o
3. can't come up with anyone, maybe Gervin he was pretty good down low, also thinking about DJ when he was a SG of course

PG
1. Magic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EZ6tm-NxsI
2. Oscar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecgwZVnvPIc
3. Frazier or Payton - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYVjltXc5F8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF-dNkPDTTA

[SHAQisGOAT]

The first video especially shows beautiful, yet simple fundamental footwork. He also had unique lean in shots in a 1 on 1 situation while facing up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9s (Step through move & pump fake to get the shot up over Russell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs&t=9m48s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnMbsY3xXaI&t=16s


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVjBP78BZw&t=7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFHuN1zenY&t=1m50s (unorthodox baseline shot in All Star Game) :applause:

That's really good

[Round Mound]

Shaq and Barkley are So Underrated In Terms of Skills because of Their Power and Nastyness. These 2 Dudes Shot 58% FG on Over 20 PPG and Taking Lesser Shots Than Most Players While Being The Focus of Their Teams Offense. These 2 Dudes Are The Most Effective 2-Point FG Scorers of All Time and They Wheren`t Just Power :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Whoah10115]

Moncrief is a SG. I think Jason Kidd has a good shout for that top 5. I'm surprised to see Richmond there tho...I don't remember him as a post player.



Jerry West has to be on this list. Walt Frazier has to be on this list.

I gotta think about this one a lot - nice thread

edit: Oh wait..... already I'm wrong........... POST GAME..... gosh that's different story



What would your top 5 per position be?

[97 bulls]

Magic shouldnt be on the list. Rod.Strickland and Penny Hardaway were much more skilled in the post. And thats off the top of my head.

[SyRyanYang]

Pau Gasoft? Really? What else can he do other than a left-handed hook. I can name five current players that are better than him:
KG
Dirk
Duncan
LMA
Zbo

[Whoah10115]

Magic shouldnt be on the list. Rod.Strickland and Penny Hardaway were much more skilled in the post. And thats off the top of my head.



Penny is probably a top 3 post player at his position. Strickland is also a good shout.


The point on Magic is factually wrong. The best passer out of the post (or anywhere else) in basketball history.

[Round Mound]

Magic shouldnt be on the list. Rod.Strickland and Penny Hardaway were much more skilled in the post. And thats off the top of my head.

Yes He Should The Dude Was Very Good With Both Hands Near The Post. It Shouldn`t Matter if the Was 6`8 ft and Shooting Hooks Over Smaller Guys Cause He Could Do It On Bigger Guys Like When He Came Back in 1996 at Age 36 he Was Schooling PFs in the Post Offensively. He Was Quite Good in the Post and His Baby Hook Was Money.

You are Right About Penny I Had That In the Tip Of My Tongue He Would Be Rank Their in the Top 5

[Jasper]

elgin baylor
Benard King
Elvin Hayes

for starters never get into this conversation :confusedshrug:

[Round Mound]

elgin baylor
Benard King
Elvin Hayes

for starters never get into this conversation :confusedshrug:

I Was About to Put Bernard but He Was More of Face Up 1 on 1 Master Mid Range Shooter. Did Not Watch Enough of Elgin or Hayes to Come Up With an Idea Regarding Them.

[hitmanyr2k]

Smallforwards:

1-Adrian Dantley
2-Larry Bird
3-Carmelo Anthony
4-Mark Aguirre
5-Dirk Nowitsky



Not one mention of Scottie Pippen in this entire thread? :facepalm Carmelo Anthony is mostly power in the post. He doesn't have close to Pippen's footwork or skill on the low block. Few SFs do.


http://youtu.be/wB2NmpVEnjs?t=25s

http://youtu.be/Zyzx6ISXQGw?t=13s

[97 bulls]

Not one mention of Scottie Pippen in this entire thread? :facepalm Carmelo Anthony is mostly power in the post. He doesn't have close to Pippen's footwork or skill on the low block. Few SFs do.


http://youtu.be/wB2NmpVEnjs?t=25s

http://youtu.be/Zyzx6ISXQGw?t=13s
Great post. I wanted to mention Pippen but I sick of having to defend his abilities to haters.

[La Frescobaldi]

Not one mention of Scottie Pippen in this entire thread? :facepalm Carmelo Anthony is mostly power in the post. He doesn't have close to Pippen's footwork or skill on the low block. Few SFs do.


http://youtu.be/wB2NmpVEnjs?t=25s

http://youtu.be/Zyzx6ISXQGw?t=13s

I predict this thread is just getting warmed up.
Pippen is only 1 great player.

Jasper also earlier had mentioned Elvin Hayes and that man was real deal of post game for a FACT.

[La Frescobaldi]

Great post. I wanted to mention Pippen but I sick of having to defend his abilities to haters.

don't ever back away from telling the truth as you see it my friend!!


http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/63100/63109/63109_fulcrum_md.gif

Pippen post game was the fulcrum of the Bulls offense
Jordan was the lever
P Jax applied the pressure
The rock went wherever they decided.

[Money 23]

Skill Set? Top 3 per position

C:

1- Hakeem Olajuwon
2- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
3- Patrick Ewing

PF:

1- Kevin McHale
2- Charles Barkley
3- Karl Malone

SF:

1- Larry Bird
2- Bernard King
3- Elgin Baylor

SG:

1- Michael Jordan
2- Kobe Bryant
3- Oscar Robertson

PG:

1- Magic Johnson
2- Gary Payton
3- Penny Hardaway

[SyRyanYang]

Not one mention of Scottie Pippen in this entire thread? :facepalm Carmelo Anthony is mostly power in the post. He doesn't have close to Pippen's footwork or skill on the low block. Few SFs do.


http://youtu.be/wB2NmpVEnjs?t=25s

http://youtu.be/Zyzx6ISXQGw?t=13s

Wow I didn't even know he had those moves. Thanks for posting, made me respect him more.

[La Frescobaldi]

Wow I didn't even know he had those moves. Thanks for posting, made me respect him more.
People been knocking Pippen for years to support the Jordan agenda.
1. Pippen is valid Top 50 player. Still.
2. Pippen was arguably more valuable to Bulls than Jordan was; Scottie was Aron to MJs Moses.
3. Jordan doesn't need support, his greatness stands on its own

[Da KO King]

Mine is based on agility of footwork, number of setups, moves, and counters, and the ability to mix and match

C: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, David Robinson (I have Pat Ewing as an EXTREMELY close 4th)

PF: Kevin McHale, Rasheed Wallace, Charles Barkley

SF: Bernard King, Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor (considered adding Terry Cumming and Carmelo Anthony)


SG: Isaiah Rider, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant (consider Bonzi Wells, Steve Smith, and Dwyane Wade here)


PG: Magic Johnson, Gary Payton, Sam Cassell

[Kovach]

Smallforwards:

1-Adrian Dantley
2-Larry Bird
3-Carmelo Anthony
4-Mark Aguirre
5-Dirk Nowitsky

Worthy was more skillful in the post than the last 3 guys on that list. More skillful than even Dantley I would say. Dantly was the master of destroying the opponents timing, that is what made him so difficult to guard but he was nowhere near as quick and explosive as Worthy was. Worthy was a pure matchup nightmare.

[Big#50]

Bernard King
Sheed before falling in love with the long ball.
Anthony Mason was really smooth and strong around the paint.

[Psileas]

Assuming that "post players" includes only players who operate in the post and not also players who drive a lot (e.g, LeBron) and we put more emphasis on footwork, number of moves for skillful, etc:

PG:
1. Magic
2. Oscar
3. Payton

SG:
1. Jordan
2. Bryant
3. Wade

SF:
1. Bird
2. Dantley
3. King

PF:
1. McHale
2. Duncan
3. Barkley

C:
1. Hakeem
2. Wilt
3. Kareem

[KOBE143]

Top 3 Most Skillful Post Players of All Time

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Michael Jordan

[Vertical-24]

I agree with your list for the most part but there are some changes I would make around certain positions.

First off as far as skill is concerned, Hakeem is the most skillful post player in NBA history and this is coming from a Lakers fan. Kareem may be the most effective and efficient post player of our time but not more skilled than Hakeem. I also believe Ewing was a more "skilled" post player than Shaq was as well. He had much better footwork and could do more around the post than Shaq could.

Shaq wasn't a finesse post player, he just had the power to back you up and strong arm it to the rim. He was an effective, dominant post-up player but not an extremely "skillful" one as the thread entails.

I also take issue with including the Big O as an SG. I understand he was a combo but he was much more of a PG and its unfair to other players to place him in both categories.

If anyone knows me, they know MJ is my favorite all time player and it is a toss-up but I believe Kobe is the most "skilled" post SG of all time. I think he had slightly better footwork than MJ in the post and an equally effective turnaround/fadeaway post jumper. But it's close. I have no problem with either at the top 2.

Btw, good thread. I appreciate threads that can actually provoke genuine basketball discussion.

[tmacattack33]

Penny Hardaway was really nice in the post too.

[riseagainst]

Centers:

1-Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2-Hakeem Olajuwon
3-Shquielle ONiel
4-Wilt Chamberlain
5-Patrick Ewing

Powerforwards:

1-Kevin McHale
2-Charles Barkley
3-Tim Duncan
4-Karl Malone
5-Pau Gasol

Smallforwards:

1-Adrian Dantley
2-Larry Bird
3-Carmelo Anthony
4-Mark Aguirre
5-Dirk Nowitsky

Shootinguards:

1-Michael Jordan
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Kobe Bryant
4-Mitch Richmond
5-Andrew Toney

Pointguards:

1-Magic Johnson
2-Oscar Robertson*
3-Gary Payton
4-Sidney Moncrief
5-Mark Jackson

:bowdown:

[RoundMoundOfReb]

LeBron is more skilled than Melo...So is Durant probably...They just aren't as smooth.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Also, cp3 belongs on the pg list

[Roundball_Rock]

Wow I didn't even know he had those moves. Thanks for posting, made me respect him more.

People remember his defense but forget that he had a full offensive arsenal which included a great post game. He could score from anywhere on the floor with a variety of means.

[GODbe]

SG: Godbe
SF: Durant
C: Kareem

[kshutts1]

Please, dear lord please, take Shaq out of the top 5. Take him out of the top 20, for "skillful".

[kshutts1]

Not one mention of Scottie Pippen in this entire thread? :facepalm Carmelo Anthony is mostly power in the post. He doesn't have close to Pippen's footwork or skill on the low block. Few SFs do.


http://youtu.be/wB2NmpVEnjs?t=25s

http://youtu.be/Zyzx6ISXQGw?t=13s

First video.. at roughly :50 and 1:30.. :bowdown:

[jayfan]

Rasheed Wallace could have been in this thread. He just didn't want to be. It's a shame.

[kshutts1]

Rasheed Wallace could have been in this thread. He just didn't want to be. It's a shame.
He very clearly is in this thread...?

[CavaliersFTW]

Elgin Baylor's back to the basket game is also incredible both passing and scoring, there are various sequences throughout this video that showcase it - he even plays in the air with his back to the basket. One of his nicknames was "Mr. Inside" (Jerry West's being "Mr. Outside").

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjNS_oYE92E

[played0ut]

I agree with your list for the most part but there are some changes I would make around certain positions.

First off as far as skill is concerned, Hakeem is the most skillful post player in NBA history and this is coming from a Lakers fan. Kareem may be the most effective and efficient post player of our time but not more skilled than Hakeem. I also believe Ewing was a more "skilled" post player than Shaq was as well. He had much better footwork and could do more around the post than Shaq could.

Shaq wasn't a finesse post player, he just had the power to back you up and strong arm it to the rim. He was an effective, dominant post-up player but not an extremely "skillful" one as the thread entails.

I also take issue with including the Big O as an SG. I understand he was a combo but he was much more of a PG and its unfair to other players to place him in both categories.

If anyone knows me, they know MJ is my favorite all time player and it is a toss-up but I believe Kobe is the most "skilled" post SG of all time. I think he had slightly better footwork than MJ in the post and an equally effective turnaround/fadeaway post jumper. But it's close. I have no problem with either at the top 2.

Btw, good thread. I appreciate threads that can actually provoke genuine basketball discussion.


I agree with this. Are we going on effectiveness in the post or just pure skill?



And also, on Kobe vs Jordan




If anyone knows me, they know MJ is my favorite all time player and it is a toss-up but I believe Kobe is the most "skilled" post SG of all time. I think he had slightly better footwork than MJ in the post and an equally effective turnaround/fadeaway post jumper. But it's close. I have no problem with either at the top 2.


Kobe had a bigger arsenal than Jordan. I'm ok with people saying Kobe is more skilled than Jordan in that respect. But a part of skill is shot selection/reading the defense/etc. Jordan's repertoire may have been smaller, but he used it more effectively than Kobe.

Is Jordan more skilled then?