With your life on the line, pick one player to...

[russwest0]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)

[G0ATbe]

Godbe.

[Cocaine80s]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)- Lebron
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)-Lebron
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)-Lebron
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)- N/A
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)-Lebron
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)-Lebron
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)-Lebron

..

[Lebronxrings]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)
Lebron James
Kevin Durant (Media loved)
Lebron James
Dirk
Lebron/ Pippen
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka

[20Four]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch) Kobe
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved) Kobe
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner) Kobe
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal) Kobe
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender) Kobe
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender) Prime Ben Wallace
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder) Prime Rodman

There u go son!

[MP.Trey]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Michael Jordan
Win the regular season MVP: Michael Jordan
Win the NBA Finals: Bill Russell
Stay with one team for his whole career: Reggie Miller? I don't know. This one's tough and there's a lot of factors, no one is going to stay their entire career on a perennial loser.
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Scottie Pippen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Wilt Chamberlain. Could choose Russell but too much of a size disadvantage.
Secure a game winning rebound: Bill Russell

[Budadiiii]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Michael Jordan
Win the regular season MVP: Michael Jordan
Win the NBA Finals: Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Dirk
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Gary Payton
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Bill Russell
Secure a game sealing rebound: Bill Russell

[Lebronxrings]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch) Kobe
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved) Kobe
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner) Kobe
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal) Kobe
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender) Kobe
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender) Prime Ben Wallace
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder) Prime Rodman

There u go son!
kobe stans :facepalm

[20Four]

kobe stans :facepalm
? Answer the question, why respond to me Jameer???

[JT123]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)
Lebron, the most clutch game 7 performer in NBA history.
Durant, the least criticized athlete in NBA history for most beloved by media
Lebron, the MJ of this era for best winner
Dirk for most loyal. Duncan was only loyal cause he's always had stacked teams.
Lebron (can guard 1-5) James for best perimeter defender
See above answer for Shaq stopper
Kevin Love for game winning rebound

[Cold soul]

There u go mang!

Who's the chick in that AV? :eek:

[CavaliersFTW]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)
Jerry West
Wilt Chamberlain/MJ/Lebron/Russell/KAJ - pick one.
Bill Russell
N/A, shutting down Jordan is impossible.
Shaq would still score points but Wilt Chamberlain would outrebound, out score him if it was his job, block more shots and be pretty much the only player capable of imposing physical will on Shaq for stretches of a game. He'd make him work harder than anyone. If anyone could intimidate Shaq it would be Wilt.
Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell.

[20Four]

Who's the chick in that AV? :eek:
Forgot the name mang my bad son! lol

[20Four]

Lebron, the most clutch game 7 performer in NBA history.
Durant, the least criticized athlete in NBA history for most beloved by media
Lebron, the MJ of this era
Dirk for most loyal. Duncan was only loyal cause he's always had stacked teams.
Lebron (can guard 1-5) James for best perimeter defender
See above answer for Shaq stopper
Kevin Love for game winning rebound
:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Jameerthefear]

Lebron. ****ing. Jammmeeeeeesssssssss

[Nowitness]

Lebron, the most clutch game 7 performer in NBA history.
Durant, the least criticized athlete in NBA history for most beloved by media
Lebron, the MJ of this era
Dirk for most loyal. Duncan was only loyal cause he's always had stacked teams.
Lebron (can guard 1-5) James for best perimeter defender
See above answer for Shaq stopper
Kevin Love for game winning rebound

im a huge dirk fan. but he forced his way out of miluwakee because he didn't want to play for them

you fucing pos :facepalm

[Cold soul]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch) MJ
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved) Lebron
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner) MJ
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal) Kobe
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender) Gary Payton
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender) Wilt Chamberlain
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder) Rodman

Good question OP.

[Mr. Jabbar]

kobe

[oarabbus]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)

Gamewinner in G7: Bird
Reg season MVP: LeBron
Win Finals: Jordan. Bill Russell also an acceptable answer.
Loyal: Bird/Jordan/Russell
Shutdown MJ: N/A
Shutdown Shaq: Healthy Yao... probably won't happen though
Game winning Rebound: Dennis Rodman

[Nowitness]

Good question OP.

kobe forced his way out of one team and said he wanted to leave the lakers in 07. and hes your choice for most loyal? :facepalm

kobe stans finding any way to mention him here :oldlol:

stockton was way more ****ing loyal.

[Milbuck]

im a huge dirk fan. but he forced his way out of miluwakee because he didn't want to play for them

you fucing pos :facepalm
This isn't true whatsoever.

[russwest0]

My list:

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Bird
Win the regular season MVP: LeBron
Win the NBA Finals: Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Stockton
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Pippen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Wilt
Secure a game winning rebound: Rodman

[Kblaze8855]

There arent 3 MVP winners in the last 25 years who wouldnt have won if the media didnt vote. For the most part...players, fans, media, coaches, and GMs would pick the same person. Its usually fairly obvious.

[Le Shaqtus]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch): Larry Bird
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved): LeBron James
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner): Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal): Dirk Nowitzki
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender): Scottie Pippen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender):Dwight Howard
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder): Dennis Rodman

[russwest0]

There arent 3 MVP winners in the last 25 years who wouldnt have won if the media didnt vote..

Bullshit.

[c5terror]

Lebron, the most clutch game 7 performer in NBA history.
Durant, the least criticized athlete in NBA history for most beloved by media
Lebron, the MJ of this era for best winner
Dirk for most loyal. Duncan was only loyal cause he's always had stacked teams.
Lebron (can guard 1-5) James for best perimeter defender
See above answer for Shaq stopper
Kevin Love for game winning rebound


you want lebron to shut MJ down? :oldlol: He cant even contain patty mills, barea, Terry, marion, leaonard, and the only thing he do to tony parker was give him an open jumpers which is very stupid to do to MJ.:oldlol:

[Le Shaqtus]

Lebron, the most clutch game 7 performer in NBA history.
Durant, the least criticized athlete in NBA history for most beloved by media
Lebron, the MJ of this era for best winner
Dirk for most loyal. Duncan was only loyal cause he's always had stacked teams.
Lebron (can guard 1-5) James for best perimeter defender
See above answer for Shaq stopper
Kevin Love for game winning rebound

Nikka coffins ain't cheap

[SHAQisGOAT]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Larry Bird / Michael Jordan
(Pat Riley: "I'd want Jordan to take the shot with the game on the line. I'd want Bird to take it if my LIFE was on the line.")

Win the regular season MVP:
-> probably Michael Jordan
(most media hyped, and also GOAT if I had to pick one)

Win the NBA Finals:
-> Bill Russell
(GOAT winner)

Stay with one team for his whole career:
-> Larry Bird
(still signed with the Celtics in 1979 despite being picked in 1978, and Boston being on their worse phase; never left, stayed there through thick and thin; could've gotten a big paycheck by doing basically nothing, as he could've signed another contract in 1992 then never playing due to injuries as the owner wanted him to, but he just retired saying no chance in hell he would get payed to sit on the bench)

Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Sidney Moncrief / Gary Payton
(the ones who played the best D on him, and two top3/5 all-time on-ball perimeter defenders)

Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Nate Thurmond
(GOAT on-ball post defender imo, just look at what he did against the likes of Kareem, Wilt, Reed, so on, and he has the physical tools to keep up with Shaq... Wilt would've been a good choice too, the two most athletic centers ever, given their size, and much more than that)

Secure a game winning rebound:
-> probably Bill Russell
(terrific rebounding skills and awareness, got the mobility, the desire to hustle all out, and clutchness... HM to Rodman, Wilt and Moses)


Oh, and no one would really shutdown peak Shaq or MJ.

[Angel Face]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Michael Jordan
Win the regular season MVP: Michael Jordan
Win the NBA Finals: Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Michael Jordan
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Good luck with that
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Dennis Rodman
Secure a game winning rebound: Dennis Rodman

[Papaya Petee]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Michael Jordan
Win the regular season MVP: Michael Jordan
Win the NBA Finals: Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Michael Jordan
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Good luck with that
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Dennis Rodman
Secure a game winning rebound: Dennis Rodman
Nobody is shutting down MJ, yet Rodman will shut down Shaq who was arguably a better finals performer than MJ? :roll:

Got it

[Cold soul]

kobe forced his way out of one team and said he wanted to leave the lakers in 07. and hes your choice for most loyal? :facepalm

kobe stans finding any way to mention him here :oldlol:

stockton was way more ****ing loyal.

The level of butt-hurt here is too damn high. In the end Kobe still decided to stay in LA trusting front office to get the job done and get him some help that being Pau Gasol trade. Oh yeah speak of John Stockton you do know that Kobe Bryant will tie John Stockton as the longest tenured player with one franchise in NBA history (19 seasons). How do you like them apples? :D

[Kblaze8855]

Bullshit.

Feel free to point them out.

The media only came to a different answer than the players once in the twenty years they had both(they didnt count the medias pick...but it was still done).

Be very similar.

This idea is usually just haters who cant explain themselves making assumptions that fly in the face of everything being said by everyone from players to coaches at the time.

Most MVP votes arent even close. And they usually shouldnt be.

The same people would win most of them no matter what.

[Kblaze8855]

In the end Kobe still decided to stay in LA trusting front office to get the job down and get him some help that being Pau Gasol trade. Oh yeah speak of John Stockton you do know that Kobe Bryant will tie John Stockton as the longest tenured players with one franchise in NBA history (19 seasons). How do you like them apples?

Name one other situation in life you can ask for something...be denied it...and have people later give you credit for not wanting what you very publicly asked for....just because you were shot down.

Its just...not rational.

Not getting what you asked for is not the same as not asking...even with the same result.

The idea that anyone who demanded a trade after only 3 years of not contending is the most loyal is laughable.

The Bulls not throwing in Deng which the Lakers insisted on....does not make Kobe loyal.

[ProfessorMurder]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Larry Bird / Michael Jordan
(Pat Riley: "I'd want Jordan to take the shot with the game on the line. I'd want Bird to take it if my LIFE was on the line.")

Win the regular season MVP:
-> probably Michael Jordan
(most media hyped, and also GOAT if I had to pick one)

Win the NBA Finals:
-> Bill Russell
(GOAT winner)

Stay with one team for his whole career:
-> Larry Bird
(still signed with the Celtics in 1979 despite being picked in 1978, and Boston being on their worse phase; never left, stayed there through thick and thin; could've gotten a big paycheck by doing basically nothing, as he could've signed another contract in 1992 then never playing due to injuries as the owner wanted him to, but he just retired saying no chance in hell he would get payed to sit on the bench)

Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Sidney Moncrief / Gary Payton
(the ones who played the best D on him, and two top3/5 all-time on-ball perimeter defenders)

Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals:
-> Nate Thurmond
(GOAT on-ball post defender imo, just look at what he did against the likes of Kareem, Wilt, Reed, so on, and he has the physical tools to keep up with Shaq... Wilt would've been a good choice too, the two most athletic centers ever, given their size, and much more than that)

Secure a game winning rebound:
-> probably Bill Russell
(terrific rebounding skills and awareness, got the mobility, the desire to hustle all out, and clutchness... HM to Rodman, Wilt and Moses)


Oh, and no one would really shutdown peak Shaq or MJ.

Basically agree with this list.

I'd like to see a prime Sabonis on Shaq. Maybe won't shut him down, but will at least play him to a standstill.

Rebound could also be Rodman.

[Cold soul]

Name one other situation in life you can ask for something...be denied it...and have people later give you credit for not wanting what you very publicly asked for....just because you were shot down.

Its just...not rational.

Not getting what you asked for is not the same as not asking...even with the same result.

The idea that anyone who demanded a trade after only 3 years of not contending is the most loyal is laughable.

The Bulls not throwing in Deng which the Lakers insisted on....does not make Kobe loyal.

I can give you many examples but I see little to no point too. It's quite clear you have an agenda here.

[JellyBean]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Kobe
Win the regular season MVP: Magic Johnson
Win the NBA Finals: Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Magic Johnson/Kobe
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Dennis Johnson/Alvin Robertson
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Artis Gilmore
Secure a game winning rebound: Moses Malone

[JT123]

Name one other situation in life you can ask for something...be denied it...and have people later give you credit for not wanting what you very publicly asked for....just because you were shot down.

Its just...not rational.

Not getting what you asked for is not the same as not asking...even with the same result.

The idea that anyone who demanded a trade after only 3 years of not contending is the most loyal is laughable.

The Bulls not throwing in Deng which the Lakers insisted on....does not make Kobe loyal.
:applause: Kblaze ethering these Kobe stans.

[STATUTORY]

my life on the line? GIVE ME THE BALL
I take the shot and do it myself. Only betas be deferring in those situations.

[Angel Face]

Nobody is shutting down MJ, yet Rodman will shut down Shaq who was arguably a better finals performer than MJ? :roll:

Got it

:oldlol: :facepalm

[magnax1]

There arent 3 MVP winners in the last 25 years who wouldnt have won if the media didnt vote. For the most part...players, fans, media, coaches, and GMs would pick the same person. Its usually fairly obvious.
Off the top of my head these guys couldve lost if the players voted (not saying anything about whether they were deserving)
Rose
Nash 05&06
Malone 97
Both Robinson and Hakeem couldve flipped
Magic wouldve likely lost some to jordan

[Kblaze8855]

I can give you many examples but I see little to no point too. It's quite clear you have an agenda here.

If I ask you for a dollar and you dont give it to me...listing me as the most financially self sufficient person on ISH would be irrational.

Just how it is.

The rest is just people being emotional.

[T_L_P]

Jordan
Jordan
Jordan
Russell. Stockton is a great pick
Dennis Johnson (I'd love to see Sean Elliott exclusively play defense on MJ for a series; he played him well)
Ben Wallace (shutting down Shaq doesn't make you the best big defender, apply the Elliott situation to Duncan, who played some of the best defense on Shaq)
Rodman

[Kblaze8855]

Rose

Nah. He was the general pick. The players didnt much rep Lebron at the time..and on a team with a worse record? Durant and Dwight the only real challenges...and it was clear who most people asked were picking.


Nash 05&06


Two of those with a chance. Expecially 06.


Malone 97

The other one.


Both Robinson and Hakeem couldve flipped


Naaaah.

Hakeem on a 47 win team? dont see it in 95.

Magic wouldve likely lost some to jordan

Jordan wasnt quite as fawned over by players at the time. Lot of sneak dissing in comparison to Magic. And looking at the years he won?

Barkley was a bigger threat.

[JT123]

If I ask you for a dollar and you dont give it to me...listing me as the most financially self sufficient person on ISH would be irrational.

Just how it is.

The rest is just people being emotional.
Another ether. If I'm married and try to have sex with another woman, but she says no, does that make me an honest and loyal husband just because she rejected me? :confusedshrug:

[ArbitraryWater]

I dont know man... This shit doesnt make much sense to me. Its as if people dont think it through.

MJ for regular season mvp (Because he's GOAT), and then Russell to win the Finals?!

What?

So give Russell and MJ an EQUAL supporting cast in the finals, the one who wins that finals should be the superior player, right?

Well how is MJ the GOAT then when Russell outpeforms him for the TITLE?

So yeah, I'd (obviously) pick MJ in both those categories...


Loyalty MUST go to Dirk...

Only other contender is Duncan, but again, it's not hard being loyal when surrounded by talent.

[Kblaze8855]

So give Russell and MJ an EQUAL supporting cast in the finals, the one who wins that finals should be the superior player, right?

Nah. It doesnt work that way.

Its not like two teams of the same players have the same result every time they play.

There are a lot of variables beyond the best player on each team...even with equal supporting casts.

You could play the same series 3 times and get 3 very different results.

[turret]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch) bird
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved) i like mike
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner) mike x 2
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)reggie
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender) Tony Allen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
only the refs calling his butt charges is gonna stop that beast
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)Russell/Rodman

Russell/Rodman

[ArbitraryWater]

Nah. It doesnt work that way.

Its not like two teams of the same players have the same result every time they play.

There are a lot of variables beyond the best player on each team...even with equal supporting casts.

You could play the same series 3 times and get 3 very different results.

"It doesnt work the way" ? Huh? How does it work, then?

Logically I would assume them getting an equal supporting cast, and the better player comes out on top... Irrelevant of playing 1 or multiple series'.

If you still dont like that, then ASSUME the support plays equally every time... I mean, who cares anyway? This hypothetical isnt supposed to be decided by the role players, but the team leaders, Russell and Jordan in this case... Come on, I make sense.

[IncarceratedBob]

Nobody could stop 2000 Shaq 1 on 1. Not Wallace not Wilt not Russell. The MDE is gonna get his.

[Kblaze8855]

"It doesnt work the way" ? Huh? How does it work, then?

Logically I would assume them getting an equal supporting cast, and the better player comes out on top... Irrelevant of playing 1 or multiple series'.


How have you watched basketball this long without seeing the underdog win?

Teams can wipe the floor with another team talent wise...and lose the game.

Or the series.

If all that decided who won was the talent on each team the most talented team in the league would win every game they were healthy to compete in.

The best player can lose a series. can even lose with a better supporting cast. It happens fairly often.

[T_L_P]

I dont know man... This shit doesnt make much sense to me. Its as if people dont think it through.

MJ for regular season mvp (Because he's GOAT), and then Russell to win the Finals?!

What?

So give Russell and MJ an EQUAL supporting cast in the finals, the one who wins that finals should be the superior player, right?

Well how is MJ the GOAT then when Russell outpeforms him for the TITLE?

So yeah, I'd (obviously) pick MJ in both those categories...


Loyalty MUST go to Dirk...

Only other contender is Duncan, but again, it's not hard being loyal when surrounded by talent.

No, it must not be Dirk or Duncan.

Dirk basically said if they didn't win in 2011 he would have strongly considered leaving to go get a ring. Duncan almost did leave (and he's not been surrounded by talent his whole career like you are implying).

Dirk is a great pick. On the top 3-6 shortlist for sure (and a strong case for number 1 - if you pick I am 100% cool with that). But how on earth are you gonna say it must be him? You act like he's been on shitty teams for the past 15 years. He's had talent put around him too and he has the absolute best owner in the league, who throws money at his team like it's no-man's business (parenthetically, Holt is the biggest cheapskate in the league).

Reggie Miller, Bill Russell, Joe Dumars, Stockton, Robinson and Dirk are my top 6 (no order). They all have cases over Dirk, and Dirk has cases over all of them. :confusedshrug:

[Kblaze8855]

Russell cant really count. Free agency didnt exist until the 70s. before then...if you didnt take a teams offer...you were automatically signed at your previous years pay...MINUS 10 percent.

Evil? yes. But thats how it was.

[ArbitraryWater]

How have you watched basketball this long without seeing the underdog win?

Teams can wipe the floor with another team talent wise...and lose the game.

Or the series.

If all that decided who won was the talent on each team the most talented team in the league would win every game they were healthy to compete in.

The best player can lose a series. can even lose with a better supporting cast. It happens fairly often.

Thats why I said assume the support to play equally.....

[ArbitraryWater]

No, it must not be Dirk or Duncan.

Dirk basically said if they didn't win in 2011 he would have strongly considered leaving to go get a ring. Duncan almost did leave (and he's not been surrounded by talent his whole career like you are implying).

Dirk is a great pick. On the top 3-6 shortlist for sure (and a strong case for number 1 - if you pick I am 100% cool with that). But how on earth are you gonna say it must be him? You act like he's been on shitty teams for the past 15 years. He's had talent put around him too and he has the absolute best owner in the league, who throws money at his team like it's no-man's business (parenthetically, Holt is the biggest cheapskate in the league).

Reggie Miller, Bill Russell, Joe Dumars, Stockton, Robinson and Dirk are my top 6 (no order). They all have cases over Dirk, and Dirk has cases over all of them. :confusedshrug:

Russell? That makes zero sense to me... Why would you leave that team, THAT situation?

Now I have Dirk on top because he and his legacy had the most to loose opposed to a Reggie Miller, Dumars, or even Stockton/Robinson.... Even in 2010, 12 years deep in the league, he could have left AND I remember ALOT of Mavericks fans suggesting him to leave and GET THAT ring elsewhere... We were also suspicious when Cuban brought in Tyson Chandler and called him the big signing they finally wanted to hit... But, it worked out :)

[Kblaze8855]

Thats one of those things that is gonna depend heavily on who the best player is....which is why it doesnt really work to begin with.

And I dont mean because...we cant know. I mean because a team playing the best they can around vastly different leaders...will look differently.

You just...cant decide the best player by who won...

The "why" is always the issue.

You just couldnt get consistent results even if you could magically make the 2-10 play the same level.

Anyway....I was just given some frosting filled cookies so...im gonna go look into that.

[Milbuck]

Thats why I said assume the support to play equally.....
Which is an assumption you can't make.. There's a reason so many people had OKC favored going into the 2012 Finals....I'm pretty sure those people assumed James Harden wouldn't shit the bed completely.

[Maga_1]

I will use different player in each question and players that i've seen playing

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Damian Lillard
Win the regular season MVP: LeBron James
Win the NBA Finals: Kobe Bryant
Stay with one team for his whole career: Reggie Miller
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Tony Allen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Alonzo Mourning
Secure a game winning rebound: Dennis Rodman

[ArbitraryWater]

Which is an assumption you can't make.. There's a reason so many people had OKC favored going into the 2012 Finals....I'm pretty sure those people assumed James Harden wouldn't shit the bed completely.

Do you know what the topic is here?

How do you judge "In a finals series" then, when you dont even assume the supporting cast to play equally? How can you even answer that question then?

Look, we're not predicting anything in reality... This assumption is totally fair to both Individuals. The only thing you can do. Otherwise you're just basing it on luck.

[dubeta]

LeBron James

[Milbuck]

Do you know what the topic is here?

How do you judge "In a finals series" then, when you dont even assume the supporting cast to play equally? How can you even answer that question then?

Look, we're not predicting anything in reality... This assumption is totally fair to both Individuals. The only thing you can do. Otherwise you're just basing it on luck.
You can't answer it either way when the players in discussion are so close in level but so different in style, and several eras apart. Let's not act like either of us knows a damn thing about exactly how good Bill Russell was.

[scandisk_]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals:
Bird or MJ
Win the regular season MVP:
This prolly goes to LeBron
Win the NBA Finals:
MJ or Prime MDE
Stay with one team for his whole career:
Isiah Thomas
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals:
Pip or the Glove
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals:
Wilt and Hakeem
Secure a game winning rebound:
Wilt or the Worm

[Smook A.]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: Michael Jordan
Win the regular season MVP: Michael Jordan
Win the NBA Finals: Michael Jordan
Stay with one team for his whole career: Larry Bird/Dirk Nowitzki/Tim Duncan
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: Gary Payton
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: Hakeem Olajuwon
Secure a game winning rebound: Dennis Rodman

[tpols]

Thats why I said assume the support to play equally.....

The support playing equally is based on how well the superstar diverts attention/syncs with his teammates and just pure luck(like a guy getting hot or cold on his own/lucky timely shots).

[SHAQisGOAT]

You guys wanna discuss loyalty to a ball club?


Larry Bird strode into Dave Gavitt's office on a humid August morning. He had been home from Barcelona only nine days, and there was one unfinished piece of business that had been nagging him.

"Dave", Bird said. "I'm done, I'm retiring."

"Larry, are you sure?" Gavitt said. "I think you should take a few more weeks to think it over a little longer.

Gavitt, who had watched Bird suffer in Barcelona, knew better than anyone that his star couldn't physically play anymore. Yet there was a reason why he wanted to put off Bird's announcement. If the franchise forward waited two more weeks, his contract for the following two seasons at $5 million each would kick in, and the Celtics would be obligated to pay him, even if he did retire. After everything number 33 had done for the Boston Celtics, Gavitt felt he deserved the money.

"I know what you are doing", Bird said. "I don't want the money. I didn't earn it, and I won't take it. Let's just get this over with."

[finchyyy]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)

Larry Bird
Michael Jordan
Bill Russell
Larry Bird
LeBron James or Scottie Pippen
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell

[SouBeachTalents]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)

Assuming each selection has to be different

1. Jordan
2. LeBron
3. Russell
4. Stockton
5. Payton
6. Hakeem
7. Rodman

[Nashty]

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch) Michael Jordan or Larry Bird
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved) LeBron James
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner) Bill Russell
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal) Dirk Nowitzki
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender) Scottie Pippen
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender) Russell is the best defender ever, but I will go with Wilt on this one because Russell can't match Shaq physically
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder) Bill Russell

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

LOL @ anyone taking Pip to guard MJ. (Galaxy LOL @ nikkas entertaining Lebron but they obviously didnt watch 90s ball)

Craig Hodges, his teammate and backcourt mate on the early Bulls championship teams, said he completely understood when he heard Jordan talk about not being able to create another challenge for himself. The people who incurred Jordan's fury most frequently weren't his opponents, but his teammates.

"I can remember this time in, I think, 1990 when Scottie decided to challenge Michael one day in practice," Hodges said. "Michael kind of backed up for a half-second. Then he proceeded, literally, to score on Scottie at will. It was incredible. I mean, Scottie Pippen even then was one of the best players in the league and Michael just rained points on him. Scottie had to step back and say, `Slow up, man.' "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8i7XovfquQ

Hit a game winner in game 7 of the Finals: (Most clutch)
Win the regular season MVP: (Most media beloved)
Win the NBA Finals: (Best winner)
Stay with one team for his whole career: (Most loyal)
Shutdown Michael Jordan in game 7 of the Finals: (Best perimeter defender)
Shutdown Shaquille O'Neal in game 7 of the Finals: (Best big defender)
Secure a game winning rebound: (Best rebounder)

Bird
KAJ
MJ
who knows
Tony Allen
Thurmond or Eaton
KG