7 minutes of Kobe throwing down 360s

[Rose'sACL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfcbH-4G8bY&feature=youtu.be

[FKAri]

Kobe's one of the smoothest players I've ever seen but he wasn't very smooth with his dunks.

[Dr Hawk]

Small hands and not that great of a leaper, but one of the best in-game dunkers of all time.

[kennethgriffin]

jordan was never able to do a 360 in a game

:lol

[Dr Hawk]

jordan was never able to do a 360 in a game

:lol

He was able to 6/6 though

[kennethgriffin]

He was able to 6/6 though

kobe beat more 50+ win teams in the playoffs though ( 24 to 20 )... if they gave him a ring for every 4 of them he's beatin.. kobe would have 6 rings and jordan would only have 5


more competition means more prestige

[GIF REACTION]

Why would I want to watch 7 minutes of garbage?

[Beastmode88]

kobe beat more 50+ win teams in the playoffs though ( 24 to 20 )... if they gave him a ring for every 4 of them he's beatin.. kobe would have 6 rings and jordan would only have 5


more competition means more prestige

Yet his individual accolades will never compare to jordans. kobe couldnt win without a big man, fact.

[fiddy]

Cant believe he'd out of the league soon :cry:

[Dr Hawk]

kobe beat more 50+ win teams in the playoffs though ( 24 to 20 )... if they gave him a ring for every 4 of them he's beatin.. kobe would have 6 rings and jordan would only have 5


more competition means more prestige


"Don't tell me how rough the water is. Just bring the boat in"
Mambaism=No excuses

You are a shame for Kobe fans.

[imdaman99]

Yet his individual accolades will never compare to jordans. kobe couldnt win without a big man, fact.
I am with you on Jordan being better easily...but don't play that game. Jordan never won without Pippen. He is a top 50 player. Is Pau Gasol a top 50 player? You think Horace Grant or Rodman aren't big men? They aren't your typical big men scorers but they were important in the playoff runs when the Bulls ran into teams with good scoring big men. Waiting for your answer since you offered such a weak shot at Kobe.

[kennethgriffin]

Yet his individual accolades will never compare to jordans. kobe couldnt win without a big man, fact.


jordan had horace grant ( allstar post player ) and dennis rodman ( HOF post defender/rebounder ) with scottie pippen ( tall enough to defend PF's and post up PF's while playing SF ... and dominated on the post )



gasol is 85th all time on BBR.com

:lol

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

jordan had horace grant ( allstar post player ) and dennis rodman ( HOF post defender/rebounder ) with scottie pippen ( tall enough to defend PF's and post up PF's while playing SF ... and dominated on the post )



gasol is 85th all time on BBR.com

:lol

And Kobe is ranked #337 on BBR.com

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/ratings.cgi


:confusedshrug:

[kennethgriffin]

And Kobe is ranked #337 on BBR.com

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/ratings.cgi


:confusedshrug:


except the HOF monitor actually is based on careers and not ELO rating ( people voting )

:lol

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Kobe, Duncan and KG are ranked atop because they've played the longest.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob.html

Not exactly rocket science here. :hammerhead:

[STATUTORY]

best in game dunker of all time

[kennethgriffin]

Kobe, Duncan and KG are ranked atop because they've played the longest.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob.html

Not exactly rocket science here. :hammerhead:


just playing seasons doesnt rank you up




kevin willis played till age 44. played from 1985 till 2007. has the 6th most games played all time

his BBR hof ranking isnt even top 300


and he was an allstar...

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

just playing seasons doesnt rank you up




kevin willis played till age 44. played from 1985 till 2007. has the 6th most games played all time

his BBR hof ranking isnt even top 300

Yeah obviously. Kobe, KG and Duncan are the best players from their era left. Its just not surprising to see them on this active HOF "probability" list...

[kennethgriffin]

Yeah obviously. Kobe, KG and Duncan are the best players from their era left. Its just not surprising to see them on this active HOF "probability" list...


the list isnt just for active players. its an all time ranking for active and retired players

[DonDadda59]

kobe beat more 50+ win teams in the playoffs though ( 24 to 20 )... if they gave him a ring for every 4 of them he's beatin.. kobe would have 6 rings and jordan would only have 5


more competition means more prestige

Bean wasn't even the best player on his own damn team for a large chunk of those series... unless you consider his 5 PPG against the Sonics the reason the Lakers won that series :yaohappy:

Compare MJ and Bean's production against those teams and you'll see, once again, how ridiculously short Bean comes in comparison to the GOAT.


best in game dunker of all time

Not even top 10. I'd put Shaq over Beans in terms of in game dunks.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

the list isnt just for active players. its an all time ranking for active and retired players

Yes, I can see that in the link I posted...

Look how its measured; its already inherently flawed:
NBA Championships
NBA Leaderboard Points
NBA Peak Win Shares
All-Star Game Selections

The last 2 are so dumb its mind-numbing. Winshares include team stats, and all-star selections are voted by the fans. True story: Yao Ming w/ a broken foot once led all players in votes. :oldlol:

[kennethgriffin]

Yes, I can see that in the link I posted...

Look how its measured; its already inherently flawed:
NBA Championships
NBA Leaderboard Points
NBA Peak Win Shares
All-Star Game Selections

The last 2 are so dumb its mind-numbing. Winshares include team stats, and all-star selections are voted by the fans. True story: Yao Ming w/ a broken foot once led all players in votes. :oldlol:


those arent the only 4 things

everything is factored

all nba teams
all defensive teams
all stats


and the rare few times a guy made the allstar game undeservingly is more than made up for by deserving ones



i'd argue that theres a higher percentage of bogus mvps than allstars



jordan 88
robinson 95
jordan 98
iverson 01
nash 05
nash 06
dirk 07
lebron 09
rose 11
lebron 12
durant 14
curry 15



and thats just off the top of my head.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Sorry dude. Ranking players by fan voting and team stats (winshares) can't get any worse. :oldlol:

Can you also point out where NBA selections are listed, as part of their criteria?

[Bandito]

Why would I want to watch 7 minutes of garbage?
You watch yourself in the mirror everyday nigguh. This is nothing compare to that:lol

[Heavincent]

kobe couldnt win without a big man, fact.

Shaq never won without an all time great SG, fact.

[Heavincent]

Not even top 10.

lol what. You're so bitter you can't even be logical.

[DonDadda59]

lol what. You're so bitter you can't even be logical.

Bitter about what? :lol

VC
Nique
Blake
Kemp
Dawkins
Shaq
MJ
J-Rich
Dr. J
Glide

Just because Bean stans say something is true, doesn't make it true. Dude had 2nd tier athleticism. Didn't have the leaping/hang time ability, strength, or hands of some ATG dunkers. He's in the class of a JR Smith, which is no insult. In game, I'd honestly consider putting guys like Pippen and A'mare in front of him.

[mehyaM24]

if there's one thing overrated about kobe, its his dunks.

they're great don't get me wrong... but the way people talk about his posters make it seem like guy deserves vince carter celebration. smh.

those dunkers doda listed are arguably better in-game dunkers than kobe - easily

[STATUTORY]

Bitter about what? :lol

VC
Nique
Blake
Kemp
Dawkins
Shaq
MJ
J-Rich
Dr. J
Glide

Just because Bean stans say something is true, doesn't make it true. Dude had 2nd tier athleticism. Didn't have the leaping/hang time ability, strength, or hands of some ATG dunkers. He's in the class of a JR Smith, which is no insult. In game, I'd honestly consider putting guys like Pippen and A'mare in front of him.

it's clear you are into the generic bland power finishes, I appreciate the versatility and artistry in Kobe's dunks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXo0x0ZiNoE

this is more impressive a sequence than anything I have seen from half the people on your list. Maybe it's not impressive from hangtime perspective but it's a magnificent sequence

[inclinerator]

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

[DonDadda59]

it's clear you are into the generic bland power finishes, I appreciate the versatility and artistry in Kobe's dunks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXo0x0ZiNoE

this is more impressive a sequence than anything I have seen from half the people on your list. Maybe it's not impressive from hangtime perspective but it's a magnificent sequence

I've seen several players pull that dunk off with more artistry to go along with power, leaping ability, etc

Hell even past prime Vince could still do This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jo2xChOG3Q)

Honestly, all of Bean's best dunks... J.R. Smith pulled them off more impressively IMO.

[mehyaM24]

it's clear you are into the generic bland power finishes, I appreciate the versatility and artistry in Kobe's dunks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXo0x0ZiNoE

this is more impressive a sequence than anything I have seen from half the people on your list. Maybe it's not impressive from hangtime perspective but it's a magnificent sequence

dominique was known as a power dunker, and this had more artistry than any of kobe's dunks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ju0mAzCLeA#t=1m46s


:bowdown:

[mehyaM24]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ju0mAzCLeA#t=0m49s

OMFG....terror :eek:

[Heavincent]

Bitter about what? :lol

VC
Nique
Blake
Kemp
Dawkins
Shaq
MJ
J-Rich
Dr. J
Glide

Just because Bean stans say something is true, doesn't make it true. Dude had 2nd tier athleticism. Didn't have the leaping/hang time ability, strength, or hands of some ATG dunkers. He's in the class of a JR Smith, which is no insult. In game, I'd honestly consider putting guys like Pippen and A'mare in front of him.

"Second tier athleticism", yet he can rub his nuts in Dwight Howard's face :oldlol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYiHvMuYJ44

Kobe wasn't picking on midgets...he was attacking legit rim protectors. Definitely one of the best when it comes to dunking on big men.

[Heavincent]

Not to mention Kobe's incredible baseline reverse dunks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E__D4QcJC68

[DonDadda59]

"Second tier athleticism", yet he can rub his nuts in Dwight Howard's face :oldlol:

Good for him. But in terms of all time athleticism, Bean is clearly a full notch below the likes of Jordan, VC, or even his own teammate Shaq.

There's literally no way you could argue against that.


this is more impressive a sequence than anything I have seen from half the people on your list.

VC pulling off multiple variations of that dunk in his sleep:

Same exact dunk (https://youtu.be/hHG1g8IFbQk?t=4m33s)

Finishes with a power tomahawk (around 2:05) (https://youtu.be/hHG1g8IFbQk?t=2m)

Full 360 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bGOdvd7Osw)

Bean is nowhere near VC's league as a dunker in-game, in-contest, in a damn parking lot.

[DonDadda59]

Not to mention Kobe's incredible baseline reverse dunks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E__D4QcJC68

Dude gets no air on his dunks :lol

Compare any of those to J.R.'s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqE7UzjZ39I) and tell me they hold up.

Look at the difference in athletic ability compared to Clyde (https://youtu.be/WR5DCIZTkpM?t=2m56s) going baseline.

[sportjames23]

He was able to 6/6 though


Ether. :oldlol:

[Heavincent]

LOL at JR Smith and Shaq being better dunkers than Kobe ****ing Bryant :oldlol:

Kobe has hundreds of amazing and memorable dunks. JR Smith has a few (mostly because he hardly ever attacks the rim). Shaq just did the same two handed power dunk on smaller players. Dominant, sure, but certainly not as entertaining as Kobe shitting on legit rim protectors like Howard and Duncan. I remember he had the commentators in disbelief during the 01 playoffs because of the ferocity in which he was attacking Duncan and Robinson.

"Gets no air on his dunks" :oldlol: Dwight Howard disagrees

http://ballislife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/17736-kobe-dunk-on-dwight-howard.jpg

[RRR3]

Never got why "aesthetics" mean anything for in game dunks. Lol. Power and frequency>>>>

[Heavincent]

Kobe is an extremely powerful and ferocious dunker.

[RRR3]

Kobe is an extremely powerful and ferocious dunker.
You shivered a little writing that, admit it.

[DonDadda59]

Kobe has hundreds of amazing and memorable dunks. JR Smith has a few (mostly because he hardly ever attacks the rim).

:facepalm

J.R. Smith top 100 Dunks (NO & DEN only) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoKcgzDWyJE)


Shaq just did the same two handed power dunk on smaller players.

Shaq had more poster dunks while Bean rode the bench than Bean has had in whole career multiplied by 3.

And he was one of, if not THE rarest specimens the game has ever seen.

A 350 lb 7Fter doing a 360 with ease (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q9cLnj4EZo)

C'Mon Son (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGRAE-y851M)

[mehyaM24]

Kobe is an extremely powerful and ferocious dunker.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/VS/Comparision%20n%20Similarity/SHAQ/7849f651.gif~original

^^^ this is power - and better than ANY of kobe's dunks

[Heavincent]

JR Smith's open court dunks are impressive, but he doesn't have nearly as facial dunks as Kobe, hence why Kobe is one of the most powerful perimeter dunkers ever, along with Vince, Jordan, and Wilkins.

[sportjames23]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/VS/Comparision%20n%20Similarity/SHAQ/7849f651.gif~original

^^^ this is power - and better than ANY of kobe's dunks


Damn, Shaq took a couple of years off Robinson's life with that dunk.

[Heavincent]

You shivered a little writing that, admit it.

I will admit I got a chubby thinking about it.

[RRR3]

JR Smith's open court dunks are impressive, but he doesn't have nearly as facial dunks as Kobe, hence why Kobe is one of the most powerful perimeter dunkers ever, along with Vince, Jordan, and Wilkins.
No mention of Chalmers among the most powerful perimeter Dunkers. Obvious troll is obvious

[Smoke117]

Kobrick and his adorable above average athleticism.

[RRR3]

I will admit I got a chubby thinking about it.
:biggums:

The Great Chalmers forgives your misplaced devotion

[inclinerator]

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_masthoZFge1rsuyhco1_500.gif>>> any dunk kobe has ever done

[kennethgriffin]

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_masthoZFge1rsuyhco1_500.gif>>> any dunk kobe has ever done


https://thebasketballsociety.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/17736-kobe-dunk-on-dwight-howard.jpg

[Heavincent]

:biggums:

The Great Chalmers forgives your misplaced devotion

I'm switching between ISH, multiple porn tabs, and Kobe dunks on youtube, so I got a little confused.

[Heavincent]

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_masthoZFge1rsuyhco1_500.gif>>> any dunk kobe has ever done

lmao

[bstickq1]

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_masthoZFge1rsuyhco1_500.gif>>> any dunk kobe has ever done
http://i.imgur.com/ERB99Nz.gif

[FKAri]

http://i.imgur.com/ERB99Nz.gif

Lebron's is much better. Tougher angle. More elevation. Better body control
2/6

[DonDadda59]

Dudes are in here posting average, run-of-the-mill 360s and we're supposed to be impressed? :kobe:

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/Vyh2Wr.gif

:lebronamazed:

[SHAQisGOAT]

Dudes are in here posting average, run-of-the-mill 360s and we're supposed to be impressed? :kobe:

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/Vyh2Wr.gif

:lebronamazed:

I remember Kenny Walker pulled some great 360s

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/oHC8ys.gif

http://sportsfascination.com/files/2015/02/NBA-Slam-Dunk-Contest-Winning-Dunk-Kenny-Walker-1989.gif

[DonDadda59]

I remember Kenny Walker pulled some great 360s

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/oHC8ys.gif

http://sportsfascination.com/files/2015/02/NBA-Slam-Dunk-Contest-Winning-Dunk-Kenny-Walker-1989.gif

That's more like it. The SkyWalker :applause:

[TheBigVeto]

What a boring video.

[eliteballer]

Don Dadda you moron:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWy9liwC7U

The only dunker with dunk reel comparable to that is Vince.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I am with you on Jordan being better easily...but don't play that game. Jordan never won without Pippen. He is a top 50 player. Is Pau Gasol a top 50 player? You think Horace Grant or Rodman aren't big men? They aren't your typical big men scorers but they were important in the playoff runs when the Bulls ran into teams with good scoring big men. Waiting for your answer since you offered such a weak shot at Kobe.

No matter how much the star players hated their GM, Jerry Krause at the time, he knew what he was doing despite not being liked by pretty much Phil or the team's star players.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I remember Kenny Walker pulled some great 360s

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/oHC8ys.gif

http://sportsfascination.com/files/2015/02/NBA-Slam-Dunk-Contest-Winning-Dunk-Kenny-Walker-1989.gif

Not going to lie, that second Kenny Walker dunk may become one of my new favorites. So smooth like butter

[sportjames23]

I remember Kenny Walker pulled some great 360s

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/oHC8ys.gif

http://sportsfascination.com/files/2015/02/NBA-Slam-Dunk-Contest-Winning-Dunk-Kenny-Walker-1989.gif


I was mad that Clyde blew the dunk contest that year (1989). It was in his hometown of Houston and he should showed out.

[andgar923]

Kobe fans are adorable.

[DonDadda59]

Don Dadda you moron:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWy9liwC7U

The only dunker with dunk reel comparable to that is Vince.

Thus dude is mad as phuck :lol

Sorry, not everyone is sipping the overratedbe Kool aid. Anyone who seriously thinks Bean is the best dunker ever in any capacity suffers from alarming delusions.

The man has the hang time of a caterpillar :yaohappy:

[STATUTORY]

Thus dude is mad as phuck :lol

Sorry, not everyone is sipping the overratedbe Kool aid. Anyone who seriously thinks Bean is the best dunker ever in any capacity suffers from alarming delusions.

The man has the hang time of a caterpillar :yaohappy:

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YcoxSvZ4HFs/hqdefault.jpg

well said :applause: :applause:

[DonDadda59]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YcoxSvZ4HFs/hqdefault.jpg

well said :applause: :applause:

That's the Michael Jordan of caterpillars :kobe:

Bean clearly never had hops like that.


Not going to lie, that second Kenny Walker dunk may become one of my new favorites. So smooth like butter

Gotta have a great combination of leaping ability, body control, and top notch hands to pull that off.

Vince did the same dunk in High School.

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/MMYFjs.gif

[ShawkFactory]

Are there people trying to say that Kobe is on VC, MJ, or Nique's level as a dunker??

:biggums:

[Dr Hawk]

Are there people trying to say that Kobe is on VC, MJ, or Nique's level as a dunker??

:biggums:

As an in-game dunker he might be IMO, although as a leaper he is clearly inferior to any of them.

In some of his dunks, it almost looks like he will hit the ball against the rim

[Heavincent]

https://thebasketballsociety.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/17736-kobe-dunk-on-dwight-howard.jpg

[20Four]

I'm one of the biggest kobe fans and I even admit that Kobe isn't on VC level on dunking....VC was on another planet in dunking....but skills wise....kobe takes VC....but dunking wise....VC is on another planet


Same with James White:

James White (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocZByq9lVOc)

[LAL]

Are there people trying to say that Kobe is on VC, MJ, or Nique's level as a dunker??

:biggums:
Kobe could jump off both legs. Nique was limited in his creativity, especially in game dunks.

Kobe is top 3. Has way too many sick and creative dunks.

https://youtu.be/-tFVOTprC_M?t=6s

[NBAplayoffs2001]

That's the Michael Jordan of caterpillars :kobe:

Bean clearly never had hops like that.



Gotta have a great combination of leaping ability, body control, and top notch hands to pull that off.

Vince did the same dunk in High School.

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-12-2015/MMYFjs.gif

Kenny got up a little higher but that is still an insane dunk.

I remember watching VC highlights and I always wondered why he wasn't drafted higher. Can anyone care to explain? I can't imagine how a UNC ultra athletic SG doesn't get drafted over a Mike Bibby, Raef LaFrentz (lol what?), and Michael Olowokandi (this one I will let slide, he looked like the next dominant NBA big and especially in the late 90s, the league still had a love affair with dominant bigs over dominant guards in drafts). Jameison was drafted ahead of him but he had a solid NBA career and a reasonable pick over Carter because of size/polish at that age.

Some dude at my old gym attempted this dunk lol. He actually almost landed it but got blocked by the rim cause he couldn't get high enough. This is a dude that had his teammates give him half court alley oops (often for acrobatic layups or a light dunk, nothing too crazy)

[SHAQisGOAT]

Not going to lie, that second Kenny Walker dunk may become one of my new favorites. So smooth like butter

:cheers:

Kenny was pretty tall, could jump out the gym and was very athletic, with lots of power... One of the most overlooked dunkers ever.

He wasn't much as a player though, and his knees gave up on him still early in his career.

[AirFederer]

For 360s, Terrence Stansbury has to be given his props. Did them with a one leg jump, which is harder as you can`t cheat 90 to 180 degrees before you jump.

Even gave his 360s a name, "Statue of Liberty" :pimp:

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

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/3-08-2015/Cgc8uI.gif

[SHAQisGOAT]

For 360s, Terrence Stansbury has to be given his props. Did them with a one leg jump, which is harder as you can`t cheat 90 to 180 degrees before you jump.

Even gave his 360s a name, "Statue of Liberty" :pimp:

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

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/3-08-2015/Cgc8uI.gif

:applause:

Terence definitely had some nice, very smooth 360s, statue of liberty style.

Also wasn't much as a player though, out of the league quickly... Not long ago I've seen a video of him going up against Jordan, in college; MJ scored 25 and Stansbury 26:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_qUPa_dFKc

[NBAplayoffs2001]

A lot of the high end dunkers seem to eventually flame out. Gerald Green used to jump out of the building but in his first period with the NBA he was nothing but a bench player.

[Rake2204]

I remember watching VC highlights and I always wondered why he wasn't drafted higher. Can anyone care to explain? I can't imagine how a UNC ultra athletic SG doesn't get drafted over a Mike Bibby, Raef LaFrentz (lol what?), and Michael Olowokandi (this one I will let slide, he looked like the next dominant NBA big and especially in the late 90s, the league still had a love affair with dominant bigs over dominant guards in drafts). Jameison was drafted ahead of him but he had a solid NBA career and a reasonable pick over Carter because of size/polish at that age.I was only in eighth grade at the time, but I remember Vince Carter almost being an afterthought at UNC, only because Antawn Jamison was doing next-level things in college (averaged 22 & 12 in the ACC at 6'8'').

Carter had a role at North Carolina, and that role was filling in the blanks behind Jamison, so I'm guessing his star power wasn't quite fully known or guaranteed come draft night. I knew very little about Carter at the time aside for his insane missed dunk against Duke that would have caused Chapel Hill to implode upon itself if it had gone down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e0yaSQuej8).

Meanwhile, each other player selected ahead of Carter was undoubtedly the man for their respective teams. Raef LaFrentz and Michael Olowokandi both averaged over 20 & 11 (though LaFrentz was a lifelong ball player putting in work at Kansas while Olowokandi played at Pacific and didn't pick up the game until 18 - warning sign). Also, Bibby was a young gun on the rise, already doing big things. I forgot until I just looked it up, but he was only a sophomore when he declared, which was a big deal for guards back then.

Kind of an interesting draft, looking back on it now. If I had to give it a hindsight re-do, I might go this route (see if you can spot my Vince Carter bias):

1. LAC - Dirk Nowitzki
2. Van - Vince Carter
3. Den - Paul Pierce
4. Tor - Antawn Jamison
5. GS - Mike Bibby
6. Dal - Rashard Lewis
7. Sac - Jason Williams
8. Phi - Cuttino Mobley
9. Mil - Al Harrington
10. Bos - Ricky Davis

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I was only in eighth grade at the time, but I remember Vince Carter almost being an afterthought at UNC, only because Antawn Jamison was doing next-level things in college (averaged 22 & 12 in the ACC at 6'8'').

Carter had a role at North Carolina, and that role was filling in the blanks behind Jamison, so I'm guessing his star power wasn't quite fully known or guaranteed come draft night. I knew very little about Carter at the time aside for his insane missed dunk against Duke that would have caused Chapel Hill to implode upon itself if it had gone down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e0yaSQuej8).

Meanwhile, each other player selected ahead of Carter was undoubtedly the man for their respective teams. Raef LaFrentz and Michael Olowokandi both averaged over 20 & 11 (though LaFrentz was a lifelong ball player putting in work at Kansas while Olowokandi played at Pacific and didn't pick up the game until 18 - warning sign). Also, Bibby was a young gun on the rise, already doing big things. I forgot until I just looked it up, but he was only a sophomore when he declared, which was a big deal for guards back then.

Kind of an interesting draft, looking back on it now. If I had to give it a hindsight re-do, I might go this route (see if you can spot my Vince Carter bias):

1. LAC - Dirk Nowitzki
2. Van - Vince Carter
3. Den - Paul Pierce
4. Tor - Antawn Jamison
5. GS - Mike Bibby
6. Dal - Rashard Lewis
7. Sac - Jason Williams
8. Phi - Cuttino Mobley
9. Mil - Al Harrington
10. Bos - Ricky Davis

Thanks, I just wanted some clarification. Apparently he was considered like a defensive stud with a good jumpshot but lacked creativity/handles according to some "scouting reports" I sporadically read online. If you actually look at his first few seasons, he was actually a pretty solid defender. I think one of those years he averaged 1.2-1.3 blocks in the NBA in his first 3 years.