Which opposing player did you respect the most and why?

[Kblaze8855]

By opposing player I mean dont list your favorite teams players. We all rep our own teams legends to some extent. Who did your team face.....that made you respect them? My top 3 will take me a moment to explain but I feel when im done you will completely understand where im coming from even if you dont agree.

Me respecting an opponent isnt just an issue of talent or how dominant they are. Its deeper than that. Its more than basketball....ability. Thats a huge chunk of it....but not all. Let me explain...

Going #3 to #1.



My third most respected opposing player of all time

Isiah Thomas.

Over the winter we had a string of long topics on the subject of Isiah being overrated or whatever with nearly the entire side saying he was basing it on numbers and shit nobody cared about at the time. What so few seem to grasp...is that Isiah was not only his teams best player he was the driving force behind their entire approach to winning. We hear about Laimbeer, Rodman, and the bigs being physical. The Bad Boys. They all....to a man....took their cue from Isiah Thomas.

Isiah had absolutely no back down to him. Isiah wont just try to win....he will fight you. Not modern chirp at eachother till you get a tech or wait till everyone is between you two then act like you want to get at him when you could have just punched him mid play if you were serious. Isiah....smallest man on the court usually...will just go to war:




https://giant.gfycat.com/AgileRectangularAsianwaterbuffalo.gif

Takes on Bill Cartwright...a foot taller than him. Not about if he wins or loses...he punched him 2-3 times but didnt do any damage....its about him showing you that he will not relent. That he isnt intimidated. That he wont let you feel you can push him or his team around.

And it was so often big guys....he would just swing mid action...not talk once they were separated.




Swings at Rick Mahorn(among the toughest players ever...also his former teammate) with no hesitation:

https://giant.gfycat.com/WetUnsungEagle.gif




His reach often wouldnt let him just tag the big guys like he wanted...so when they went to war with the Hawks he just leaps on Kevin Wills with a rear naked choke:





https://fat.gfycat.com/ComplexPoliteGoldenmantledgroundsquirrel.gif









He doesnt care how big...how bad.

Hurt them? No. But it wasnt about that. It was about setting the tone.

And it worked.

How else do you think they got a team that top to bottom....stars to role players...will just slap you in the face on national tv?


https://fat.gfycat.com/LankyOrdinaryCuckoo.gif



?

Most of those guys didnt do such things elsewhere or after he was gone.

Isiah Thomas....WAS...the Bad Boys.

And he led them to two rings and veeeeeeery nearly 3 by making them the toughest team anyone had ever seen. You cant measure Isiahs contribution to his team in numbers.

Isiah Thomas was heart....effort. And he just happened to be an elite pointguard as well. But his main contribution...was forcing everyone on his team to match his intensity.

I hated him at times....repped him at others. He was our greatest enemy....but greatest hometown athlete. Chicago was torn at times. But even those who hated him as a player....respected the effort. I respected few opponents more. No more than 2. Who I will cover in a moment....

[zizozain]

Bird

[feyki]

Chris Paul - 2008 playoffs

Carmelo - 2009

And Brandon Roy - Game 3 of the 2011 series .

[34-24 Footwork]

Laker fan-

Carmelo 2009

Kevin Garnett 2008

Allen Iverson 2001

[DukeDelonte13]

rip, chauncey, and tayshaun for me. Those pistons teams were awesome.

[SouBeachTalents]

3. Manu: Thoroughly enjoyed watching him in the '05 playoffs, without a doubt would have been a a top 10 player in the league averaging 20/5/5 on his own team
2. Reggie: Besides Horry has hit more clutch shots than any recent player I can recall
1. Pierce: Another extremely clutch performer. Would arguably have 2 FMVP had the Celtics held on in 2010, and is still hitting playoff game winners into his late 30's. They still lost the series, but will always respect this shot by him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_uulujs-MM

[Black and White]

Kobe Bryant (rivalry and work ethic)

LeBron James (always good battles and heated series)

Magic Johnson (for the Bird rivalry)

[Kblaze8855]

Second is Duncan. And I feel that shouldnt need to be explained....but I will briefly.

When I watch him the last few years I still see moves like:


http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4992630/pekovic.gif


Or

http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4992622/hawks.gif


And its obvious that if you feed him....he can score. He can produce. A lot of older players who still have as much game as he likely does....wont gracefully step into the background of their teams offense. And he started years ago. Dude put up like 10ppg the back half of to 10. Ithink it was 2010. He knows that he could produce....but what does it accomplish? The Spurs are about ball movement....being coachable...and buying in. If the best 4 of all time totally ignores his own offensive potential in favor of ball movement....allows his coach to put him on blast in front of the team...and totally accepts any new offense proposed for the greater good? How do the role players not fall in line? The Spurs are utterly selfless top to bottom....that is the source of their greatness...and no matter if hes doing 20 a game or 12....hes much of the reason for it.

I respect not only his talent...but his approach to the game. If you dont like Tim Duncan...I probably dont like you. As a person. Its that serious. My estimation of you....as a human being...is reduced...if you dont respect Tim Duncan. My #1 might take a moment to compose....

[Milbuck]

Jimmy Butler last year. Dude is a killer.

[smoovegittar]

Jordan, Bird and Miller - for obvious reasons.

Oh, and great post!

[fsvr54]

Kevin Garnett

Was game 24/7

[Rockets(T-mac)]

I can't see how you dis-like Duncan. The guy is the definition of a team player.

[ballinhun8]

I dont think the guys listing years of specific players are getting kblaze' topic.

Interesting nonetheless. But I thought your topic was going to be about players that the Bulls saw most. Or frequently. At least I did after the Thomas write up.



But if you're doing it like that, for me I'd have-

John Starks
Kobe
Reggie

[Horde of Temujin]

I respect not only his talent...but his approach to the game. If you dont like Tim Duncan...I probably dont like you. As a person. Its that serious. My estimation of you....as a human being...is reduced...if you dont respect Tim Duncan. My #1 might take a moment to compose....

K, well done. Im going to adopt that philosophy. In fact, that is my new mantra: Respect Duncan or gtfo :applause:

Duncan is a class act and I absolutely love the Spurs. they are the anti-Knicks, which growing up was my favorite team. However, due to their utter lack of competency and the fact that James Dolan is a piece of crap I just can no longer support them. I put my support for the Knicks on hiatus sometime back in 2005 or 2006. Since then i have just beencwaiting out Dolan, I dont wish death upon no man but maybe just to get involved in some Sterling type madness that would force him to sell the team. But i have grown to respect the Spurs immensely. I hope they can somehow win this year or next and see Duncan and Manu go out on top. This is probably Manu's last year but Duncan could probably do one more at about this current level of play.

Anyways, growing up in the 90's when the Knicks were respectable I idolized Ewing, the Oakster and Starks. The 94 finals shook me, seeing Olajuwan just destroy the Knicks and Ewing was gut wrenching and awe inspiring.
Olajuwon was just awesome, such grace and dominance. I would take him over any center in history. You could argue that some centers were better, but damn, none played the game as gracefully as he did.

[Kblaze8855]

#1....

Larry Bird.

I could list dozens of reasons but instead I will just cite one game....when he wasnt even the real Larry Bird anymore.

Let me set the scene...

Its 1991.

Bird is just a wreck. Hes already missed an entire season after having BOTH feet operated on. He spent an entire year on the bench with both feet in casts because of bone spurs so bad he was about to rupture his Achilles tendon. He came back from that and played on it for a year needing to retire. Point is....

His feet are made of paper mache and its getting worse.

But even worse....his back.

By 91 he was just a shell. I'll let his doctor explain the situation:



The one lingering problem may be the disc, Wright said, which is in the L 4-5 section of the back, an unstable area. The disc was ruptured, and although it is better than before June 7, it still is subpar. The disc is degenerative, and when that is severe enough -- it wasn't in this case* -- a spinal fusion operation may be necessary, Wright said.

"A disc is very important," he said. "It acts like a shock absorber. He still has a weakened disc and you can't take it out. One of the problems with a disc is that it has no healing potential. That's because there is no blood supply. You cut your finger, the blood clots, and the wound heals. That can't happen with a disc."


*eventually it was


So.

His feet are shit but hopefully improving...if only he would stop playing ball...which he wont...his back is shit...and that is hopeless. It cant heal. Hes getting worse.

So...it gets too bad to play with late season. He misses 20 something games and cant practice even when he does. He goes 2 months...without being able to practice. He sits on the bench in a Mr.Rodgers sweater looking less like an NBA player than the fans sitting a row behind him. Thats when he can sit. That became an issue. When he was playing with the bad back he would just lay down on the court next to the bench to avoid the pain of sitting.

Playoffs arrive. They are playing a shit talking young team led by two of the most shit talking players of all time. Chuck Person and Reggie Miller.

Chuck is going in. Had 39 or 40 one game. 30 a couple others. Hes doing his thing and talking while he does it.

Its game 5. Win or go home time....in Boston.

You can watch this on a few youtube videos but its been made clear most of us lack the attention span for all that so....google it on your own time. I'll give you the key elements

We begin....



Bird is hurting but doing well. Hitting his shots. Having a good throwback night. Then his trademark hustle gets him in trouble:



https://giant.gfycat.com/AnnualBrightDormouse.gif




Aaaaaaaaaand there we have it people. The career is over. Old man with the bad feet and cotton candy back finally pushed it too far. The entire basketball world knows...its over.

He goes to the back....turns out he broke his cheekbone...and the team doctor say he has a concussion. He doesnt want him to go back in.

Pacers going on a run. Celtics lose.....season over....era over. Its now the time of Dee Brown, Reggie Lewis, and the new guys. Larry Bird is gone....let us all celebrate his greatness and.....wait a minute.....






















https://giant.gfycat.com/ImpishBothIncatern.gif



the cripple is back! He climbs out of the coffin we had already put 6 nails in and demands back in the game. Note how he comes to the bench and squats? As I said....he cant sit down...


He check in to thunderous applause. But what can he do? Bad everything....no back...broken face...concussed. Hes just there for show right? He knows he doesnt physically have it....so how does he play it?

Well maybe he cant explode...but he can time rebounds...he can use the young guys leaking out. Contribute that way.






https://fat.gfycat.com/FluffyWatchfulCrayfish.gif





Hey...you dont need to run the floor if you can get the ball down court for the score off the outlet:



https://giant.gfycat.com/InfantileRecklessCommabutterfly.gif


Thats what greatness is. You find a way to help. Maybe cant get all the way to the basket...but he can still play basketball. This right here:




https://giant.gfycat.com/BlaringThirstyGeese.gif


Is ****ing basketball.





Diabolical hater and 3 time jerk of the year Chuck Person decides to put the old man back in his place.....


Sets the blind pick with the extra shot right in Larrys spine:


https://giant.gfycat.com/GrandioseWelldocumentedKingfisher.gif


You know it hurt. He gave it a second...and popped back up. Cant show that clown that he hurt you. Back at it.









So hes doing all he can. Even manages to get good post position a few times. But these youngsters hesitate to get old man river the ball. I mean...who the **** does Dee brown think he is? Larry corrects him after a late pass is knocked away:

https://fat.gfycat.com/ThatFaithfulGreatwhiteshark.gif

"Throw the pass!" is what he says.






Dee quickly learns to do as hes told and pay homage:


https://giant.gfycat.com/PortlySnarlingGermanshepherd.gif


https://giant.gfycat.com/FriendlySelfassuredAmericanindianhorse.gif


Note the Deebo like "Who else want some?" motion at the end.






Now the confidence comes back. Come down the court.....3 fake killshot:


https://giant.gfycat.com/LinearEnchantingCanvasback.gif



Team wins by three. Person and his team goes home.

And the reason for my respect is made clear.

Larry Bird...no matter the obstacle...no matter the odds...be it getting a loose ball....or getting off a shot to win the title? He wants it. He doesnt care if its best for him. He doesnt care what anyone thinks. He cares about one thing....victory. And when its vs a hated opponent?

I only wish it happened today so I could put a gif of Birds head on Carver from the wire and have him tell Chuck Person "You do not get to win shitbird! We do!"

Thats Larry Birds whole approach ot the game. You do not get to win. He does.

And he....like Isiah...like Duncan....was so powerful in the lockerroom and for the organization in general...his personality became the teams.

Thats why I respect these guys so much. Isiah...the toughest little jackass ever....makes his team the toughest gang of jackasses off all time. Duncan....perhaps the least selfish player of his stature...in Sports history? He makes his team....match that. Bird wanted like nobody wanted it....his mental toughness....his fundamental approach on top of it...the passing...the brashness...it became the Celtics.

Players like these are infectious. Be it the toughness, the selflessness....or the heart.

They made their teams a reflection of themselves.

And I respected them for it more than anyone else.

[qrich]

In specific games, going with a top 3, I'd probably go:

1] Shawn Marion during the 06 playoffs. Dude did what he could to make life harder on Elton Brand, despite the size/strength disadvantage.

2] Tim Duncan during last years playoffs. Just class.

3] Dwight Howard during a game when he was with the Magic, absolutely obliterated us.

[stalkerforlife]

Larry Bird story gave me chills, OP...I could feel his pain figuratively.

Bird is top 5 all time.

Damn.

[raprap]

Lebron James. He made me a fan watching his playoff game against detroit. :bowdown:

[Kblaze8855]

Indeed he is top 5. And few if any of the players some like to rank ahead of him would add more to a teams bottom line. Especially from a franchise player standpoint. You have Bird to build around....your franchise will go in the right direction.

I cant imagine him being one of those players you lose with for 8-9 years trying to find the right mix of talent. He...like Duncan....and Isiah...is such a force from a locker room standpoint....I think role players would play harder and stars would fall in line.

Some people just have "it". And Bird may be second all time in "it" after Bill Russell who as ive often said...is victory made flesh.

A lot of what makes a team great....isnt how good its individuals are. Its the franchise culture top to bottom. You get the GM....coaches...stars...role players....all on one page? You cant keep the team bad regardless of its individual talent.

Bird is a true franchise player. He was what that term should be saved for. He is your organization.

[WayOfWade]

Dang K-Blaze, those were some legit posts, props.

It's late so I'll just do #3 right now, and this is coming from a Jazz/Heat fan who has been watching ball since June of 2006. A man I respect very much is Dirk Nowitzki, this here is a player that has done everything right, gone through an absolute crap-ton of adversity, and is insanely hard to dislike.
Back in 2006 I didn't care much for him, I was happy the guy lost to the Heat and even happier when the Warriors put him down the next year. When he lost to his rival Spurs in 2010 I really just thought he and the Mavericks were done and there was no hope for them. It wasn't until Game 2 against the Lakers in 2011 that I really paid attention to him. What I saw was a man on a mission who only wanted to win, and knew he could. His demolition of the Thunder in game 1, going for 48 points on something like 24/24 FT's made me think "Oh crap, this guy is for real. Too bad he's going to run into the buzz-saw known as the Heat."
And as this entire board knows, Dirk absolutely took it to Miami, I don't need to go over his game-winner in Game 2, of his rainbows in Game 5, but I will go over one very specific layup in Game 6. The game was already decided with the Mavs up 101-92 when Nowitzki cut through the lane and did a lefty layup just like his game winner in game 2 that just absolutely rubbed salt into the wound and just left me thinking "wow, this guy can do whatever he wants and nobody can stop him." That made me tip my hat to him, like the cowboy in the movie "Spirit" if any of you have seen it.
Anyways, I knew the dude was dangerous from then on, then his absolute loyalty to the Mavericks... And not just loyalty, but accepting a major pay-cut showed me just how selfless he is, the kind of selflessness that the greats like Duncan and Bird are who sacrifice monetary things like money for the betterment of the team (something players like Kobe ad LeBron won't/can't do). And the dude is still working his butt off today, working within the system, but giving 100% whenever he steps onto the floor.
Random Memory, 3OT game in late 2012 against the Jazz, he was hitting so many clutch shots, I thought the Mavericks were going to take that game easily, he was just one of those players where whenever he got the ball I would just say to myself "Oh no."

[sportjames23]

#1....

Larry Bird.

I could list dozens of reasons but instead I will just cite one game....when he wasnt even the real Larry Bird anymore.

Let me set the scene...

Its 1991.

Bird is just a wreck. Hes already missed an entire season after having BOTH feet operated on. He spent an entire year on the bench with both feet in casts because of bone spurs so bad he was about to rupture his Achilles tendon. He came back from that and played on it for a year needing to retire. Point is....

His feet are made of paper mache and its getting worse.

But even worse....his back.

By 91 he was just a shell. I'll let his doctor explain the situation:





*eventually it was


So.

His feet are shit but hopefully improving...if only he would stop playing ball...which he wont...his back is shit...and that is hopeless. It cant heal. Hes getting worse.

So...it gets too bad to play with late season. He misses 20 something games and cant practice even when he does. He goes 2 months...without being able to practice. He sits on the bench in a Mr.Rodgers sweater looking less like an NBA player than the fans sitting a row behind him. Thats when he can sit. That became an issue. When he was playing with the bad back he would just lay down on the court next to the bench to avoid the pain of sitting.

Playoffs arrive. They are playing a shit talking young team led by two of the most shit talking players of all time. Chuck Person and Reggie Miller.

Chuck is going in. Had 39 or 40 one game. 30 a couple others. Hes doing his thing and talking while he does it.

Its game 5. Win or go home time....in Boston.

You can watch this on a few youtube videos but its been made clear most of us lack the attention span for all that so....google it on your own time. I'll give you the key elements

We begin....



Bird is hurting but doing well. Hitting his shots. Having a good throwback night. Then his trademark hustle gets him in trouble:



https://giant.gfycat.com/AnnualBrightDormouse.gif




Aaaaaaaaaand there we have it people. The career is over. Old man with the bad feet and cotton candy back finally pushed it too far. The entire basketball world knows...its over.

He goes to the back....turns out he broke his cheekbone...and the team doctor say he has a concussion. He doesnt want him to go back in.

Pacers going on a run. Celtics lose.....season over....era over. Its now the time of Dee Brown, Reggie Lewis, and the new guys. Larry Bird is gone....let us all celebrate his greatness and.....wait a minute.....






















https://giant.gfycat.com/ImpishBothIncatern.gif



the cripple is back! He climbs out of the coffin we had already put 6 nails in and demands back in the game. Note how he comes to the bench and squats? As I said....he cant sit down...


He check in to thunderous applause. But what can he do? Bad everything....no back...broken face...concussed. Hes just there for show right? He knows he doesnt physically have it....so how does he play it?

Well maybe he cant explode...but he can time rebounds...he can use the young guys leaking out. Contribute that way.






https://fat.gfycat.com/FluffyWatchfulCrayfish.gif





Hey...you dont need to run the floor if you can get the ball down court for the score off the outlet:



https://giant.gfycat.com/InfantileRecklessCommabutterfly.gif


Thats what greatness is. You find a way to help. Maybe cant get all the way to the basket...but he can still play basketball. This right here:




https://giant.gfycat.com/BlaringThirstyGeese.gif


Is ****ing basketball.





Diabolical hater and 3 time jerk of the year Chuck Person decides to put the old man back in his place.....


Sets the blind pick with the extra shot right in Larrys spine:


https://giant.gfycat.com/GrandioseWelldocumentedKingfisher.gif


You know it hurt. He gave it a second...and popped back up. Cant show that clown that he hurt you. Back at it.









So hes doing all he can. Even manages to get good post position a few times. But these youngsters hesitate to get old man river the ball. I mean...who the **** does Dee brown think he is? Larry corrects him after a late pass is knocked away:

https://fat.gfycat.com/ThatFaithfulGreatwhiteshark.gif

"Throw the pass!" is what he says.






Dee quickly learns to do as hes told and pay homage:


https://giant.gfycat.com/PortlySnarlingGermanshepherd.gif


https://giant.gfycat.com/FriendlySelfassuredAmericanindianhorse.gif


Note the Deebo like "Who else want some?" motion at the end.






Now the confidence comes back. Come down the court.....3 fake killshot:


https://giant.gfycat.com/LinearEnchantingCanvasback.gif



Team wins by three. Person and his team goes home.

And the reason for my respect is made clear.

Larry Bird...no matter the obstacle...no matter the odds...be it getting a loose ball....or getting off a shot to win the title? He wants it. He doesnt care if its best for him. He doesnt care what anyone thinks. He cares about one thing....victory. And when its vs a hated opponent?

I only wish it happened today so I could put a gif of Birds head on Carver from the wire and have him tell Chuck Person "You do not get to win shitbird! We do!"

Thats Larry Birds whole approach ot the game. You do not get to win. He does.

And he....like Isiah...like Duncan....was so powerful in the lockerroom and for the organization in general...his personality became the teams.

Thats why I respect these guys so much. Isiah...the toughest little jackass ever....makes his team the toughest gang of jackasses off all time. Duncan....perhaps the least selfish player of his stature...in Sports history? He makes his team....match that. Bird wanted like nobody wanted it....his mental toughness....his fundamental approach on top of it...the passing...the brashness...it became the Celtics.

Players like these are infectious. Be it the toughness, the selflessness....or the heart.

They made their teams a reflection of themselves.

And I respected them for it more than anyone else.

Damn, I remember watching that Celtics/Pacers game live. Good times.

As to the topic, this is why I don't respect too many of today's players. This is the kind of shit that today's players wouldn't do. Partly because of the way the game is officiated and ran, partly because of the way players are pampered. About the only players I respect are Kobe, Duncan, Garnett and Pierce, guys who came at the tail end of that era, but had that same mentality. Sadly, these guys are in the twilight of their careers.

Anyway, excellent thread and choices, KBlaze. I agree with you for the reasons you stated. Among others as a Bulls fan I respect:

Magic
Ewing
Barkley
Dominique
The Glove
Kemp
Stockton and Malone
Clyde the Glide
Miller

[Kblaze8855]

I remember watching it too. I had already come south and was at my grandmas watching with my cousins. At the time you never know how historic what you are seeing is. My family down south never repped Bird. Everyone loved Nique so they didnt really get as excited about things like that as I did.

I remember we were all in north carolina later and I saw Bird talking to Grant Hill and I straight geeked out. I wanted to go say something....my cousins were excited to see Grant Hill. He was still in college at the time I think. Im like "**** Grant Hill....thats Larry Bird!". We kept our distance though.

Im mad all over again at people for telling me Nique was better than Bird and just as good as Jordan.

Nique love ran deep in the south at the time.

[sportjames23]

I used to HATE Bird and the Celtics. When I first got into the NBA around 1985, the Showtime Lakers were my squad. That's why I still have love for the Lakers to this day. So naturally, I hated Bird and them boys.

What got me into respecting Bird and later having him as one of my favorite players of all time? Well, first I cheered for the Celts in 1986 when the Rockets beat the Lakers in the WCF. Yeah, I was sore over that, so I rooted for Beantown to win.

But what really got me into Bird was the 1987 ECF between the Celts and the Pistons, my all time favorite playoff series. This series had everything--fights, game-winning/stealing plays, and an up and coming Bad Boys team. This was the year before they started owning my Bulls for three straight years (indeed, it was the year before I slowly started becoming a Bulls fan), so I didn't hate the Pistons as I would later.

But man, listen--the intensity and rawness of that series stayed with me. I started seeing what people were saying about Bird was true, that what you described earlier about Larry Legend was no lie. The man gave his all on the court, sacrificing his body and taking years off his career. And that steal from Isaiah and pass to DJ for the game-winning lay up...the man just pulled Boston's ass out of the fire and cut the heart out of Detroit in one moment.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Kblaze8855]

The Celtics had all the best rivalries of the time really. Lakers....76ers...Pistons. Lakers had no serious year in year out threats in the west(Rockets beat them twice but with totally different teams 5 years apart). Celtics battled them, Philly, the Bucks, and Pistons for years. The Pistons fueds were intense.....and Johnny Most calling it was classic.


My friends and I still use "A typical...disgusting display!" to describe scumbags in sports all the time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu8Da3pe9h0

[HOoopCityJones]

Tim Duncan

[AirFederer]

Great stuff on Thomas, Duncan and Bird. The Bird game was epic. :cheers:

[Overdrive]

I'll add three, too. But only players I did not watch on film as it simply isn't the same. Bird would be the obvious choice, but there's no animosity involved, when the guy retired before I started watching. Quite the contrary he's some sort of idol, because he was a troll on the court and I always run my mouth playing even before the internet ages, when his games and stories became easily accessible. Then there are players who didn't play a pivotal role in a ongoing rivalry, but where great nonetheless and I truly admire them, Dirk, Grant Hill(pre and post injury - the way he retooled his playing was awesome imo), Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, etc

#3
Steve Nash. He was the heart and soul of those mid to late 2000 Suns teams. They played a 80s throw back kind of basketball, but unlike those Nuggets and other teams, who thought they can maintain a Lakersesque run and gun, they actually were great at it. They rivaled the best teams of the league and got really close to get to the pinnacle of basketball.

But what made him iconic for me was having his face covered in blood, his nose broken, whatever, he played on.

#2
Tim Duncan. Not much left to be said. He is the ultimate teamplayer. His talent is on a level like few others have shown in the course of NBA history, but he would use that to help his team and take a backseat if someone was more suited to do the "shiny" things, he would do anything to win.

#1
Alonzo Mourning. No rivalry with the Lakers, but Shaq is my favourite player and their history is kind off linked together and ironically or in another way fittingly they won a chip together in '06.

What made Mourning stand out for me was that he was a target for players feasting on him. In a way Bradley was, but other than him Mourning was an great defender giving everything on that end and not backing off.

Shaq tried several times to put him into his place, had some nasty dunks on him, but Mourning never stopped getting into the way.

He was dunked on by the likes of Carter, Jordan, Hill, etc, he never thought twice about challenging the next time. He was the prime receiver of some nasty posters, but he seemed like he didn't care. He was there to defend the next dunk, the next shot, the next layup. He's the epitome of never giving up for me. He went through a career ending medical condition. Made his way back to the NBA and won a ring as a decisive contributor.

[90sgoat]

Hakeem
Shaq

[sportjames23]

I'll add three, too. But only players I did not watch on film as it simply isn't the same. Bird would be the obvious choice, but there's no animosity involved, when the guy retired before I started watching. Quite the contrary he's some sort of idol, because he was a troll on the court and I always run my mouth playing even before the internet ages, when his games and stories became easily accessible. Then there are players who didn't play a pivotal role in a ongoing rivalry, but where great nonetheless and I truly admire them, Dirk, Grant Hill(pre and post injury - the way he retooled his playing was awesome imo), Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, etc

#3
Steve Nash. He was the heart and soul of those mid to late 2000 Suns teams. They played a 80s throw back kind of basketball, but unlike those Nuggets and other teams, who thought they can maintain a Lakersesque run and gun, they actually were great at it. They rivaled the best teams of the league and got really close to get to the pinnacle of basketball.

But what made him iconic for me was having his face covered in blood, his nose broken, whatever, he played on.

#2
Tim Duncan. Not much left to be said. He is the ultimate teamplayer. His talent is on a level like few others have shown in the course of NBA history, but he would use that to help his team and take a backseat if someone was more suited to do the "shiny" things, he would do anything to win.

#1
Alonzo Mourning. No rivalry with the Lakers, but Shaq is my favourite player and their history is kind off linked together and ironically or in another way fittingly they won a chip together in '06.

What made Mourning stand out for me was that he was a target for players feasting on him. In a way Bradley was, but other than him Mourning was an great defender giving everything on that end and not backing off.

Shaq tried several times to put him into his place, had some nasty dunks on him, but Mourning never stopped getting into the way.

He was dunked on by the likes of Carter, Jordan, Hill, etc, he never thought twice about challenging the next time. He was the prime receiver of some nasty posters, but he seemed like he didn't care. He was there to defend the next dunk, the next shot, the next layup. He's the epitome of never giving up for me. He went through a career ending medical condition. Made his way back to the NBA and won a ring as a decisive contributor.


Another dude I had mad respect for, and for the very reason you stated. He might get jammed on, but Zo was gonna be right back under the rim defending it like a bawse.

[sportjames23]

Hakeem
Shaq


Can't believe I forgot Shaq. Add him to my list.

[TheImmortal]

As a huge LeBron stan, I'm going with Kobe.. wish my favorite player had even a quarter of his the toughness, will to win and skills... LeBeta has disappointed me time and time again.. Speaking as again a HUGE stan of LeBrick.

[90sgoat]

Can't believe I forgot Shaq. Add him to my list.

With Shaq when I got into watching ball in the early 90s, I remember with him it was always a given he'd be a yuge star and win lots of rings. He got selected to that 50 greatest at NBA at 50 without having won a ring. Lots of people were sore about it, but the level headed said it was only a question of time and it would look really dumb not to have him on in the future.

I think with Shaq, he actually dissapointed in his career. Young Shaq was a phenom, the hype was extreme, never had anyone seen play like Shaq at such a weight. Young Shaq moved so nimble and quick.

The criticism of Shaq in his early years about rapping, doing (bad) movies and spending too much time outside the game.

Was that why Shaq had his best defensive years and rebounding years in his first couple in Orlando?

Truth is Shaq should have had 14 rebound 3-4 blocks every year of his career.

He won with Lakers but took a marked decline in his defense and a marked incrase in weight.

When I think about who you respected with Shaq it isn't the fat Lakers Shaq beating up on old guys and weak centers, but the young beast Shaq who held his own against prime Hakeem. That young Shaq in those years had the potential to be GOAT.

[SCdac]

In no real order:

Dirk Nowitzki - tough competitor who had some severe down moments, also had some big games against 'my' spurs, but the way he bounced back post-2007, kept growing as a player, and improved his post game is respectable. Comparing his career to contemporay non-Duncan and KG power forwards, e.g., Brand, Boozer, Stoudemire, Gasol, etc., and it's impressive how much he's maintained impact as a loyal franchise player. Not a defensive stalwart or anything, but he's an easy player to root for and respect when it's all said and done.

2003-2005 Pistons - ok... this isn't a player as much is it is players... but I have a huge amount of respect for Chauncey, Rip, Tayshaun, Sheed, Ben Wallace, McDyess, and Larry Brown. It could be argued they played the best defense of the mid-2000s (Spurs I see as the only other choice) and the undrafted Wallace earned himself a few DPOY's and a championship in the process. The way they played as a team and collective was just great basketball.

Shaq, Kobe, and Phil Jackson - easily the best player/coach trio the Spurs ever faced and Spurs were both on the losing and winning end of the matchup. As much as I hated their personalities and selfish tendencies (and Phil Jackson's general hatred for the Spurs), there's no denying they were a force. Shaq was a bulldozer in the paint while Kobe was a scoring machine. From 2000 to 2002 the Spurs were never able to get over the lakers hump. Jackson is def one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Without this trio I don't think the Spurs would be the Spurs we knew in 03 and beyond.

Honorable Mentions: Jordan, Hakeem & the Rockets, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant

[Gone_Fishin]

Nash and Bird. Guys like Livingston and Hill.

I respect all NBA players though. The great ones, the shitty ones, the ones clearly unaware of how lucky they are. They were able do something I assume we all wanted to do at some point in our lives.

[G0ATbe]

Nobody, until now. Curry:bowdown:

[Inferno]

Damian Lillard :applause:
The Spurs in general because they've been shitting on the Dubs for ages:oldlol:

[stalkerforlife]

I hated it at the time, but when Nash put up 32 and 13 against the Lakers in game 6 in 2006, essentially ending the series before an inevitable game 7 win, I had to respect him.

Dude was just a brilliant, brilliant offensive player in his prime.

[Inferno]

Kobe and LeBron as well, obviously. Too bad people here would have you think you can only like one of them :facepalm

[Leroy Jetson]

Spurs fan:

Kobe

Dirk

Nash

[tmacattack33]

Duncan.

[sd3035]

Kobe

I always hated the Lakers, especially when they had Shaq, but I respect him a lot now. The NBA is losing a real legend, thank god Curry stepped up to save the league

[sd3035]

Duncan.

good call, another player I never cared for but respect a lot now

[zbott]

1. Hakeem
2. Dirk
3. K.G.

[BarberSchool]

Hakeem Olajuwon.

[DMAVS41]

Easily Duncan.

Not only does he own the Mavs, but he's absolutely deserving of respect.

Edit;

Watching SCdac try and complement Dirk is great comedy...he just can't really bring himself to do it.

[LAZERUSS]

Moses and Dantley.

Two of the most unique players in NBA history.

Dantley was 6-5, 210 lbs, and with limited range. And yet he was one of the most dominating POST players in NBA history. His scoring and efficiency were staggering...especially for 6-5. Why couldn't bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic defenders stop this guy? It was pure frustration.

Moses... 6-10, and at his peak, around 245 lbs. Not overly strong, nor had great hops, nor great range. And yet he dominated his peers on the level that a peak Wilt, KAJ, and Shaq did...except he was a far better rebounder than KAJ and Shaq. And speaking of Kareem...Moses was simply..."The Kareem Killer." He absolutely owned a near prime Abdul-Jabbar in their 40 career H2H's. And for about a five year stretch the most feared player in the league...in a league with KAJ, Gilmore, Bird, Dr. J, and Magic. IMHO, the most relentless player in NBA history.

[SCdac]

Easily Duncan.

Not only does he own the Mavs, but he's absolutely deserving of respect.

Edit;

Watching SCdac try and complement Dirk is great comedy...he just can't really bring himself to do it.

dude get off my nuts and stop trying act all psychologist. You know nothing about me homie so go obsess over some other poster... talk about taking a compliment toward a great player the wrong way...

[DMAVS41]

dude get off my nuts and stop trying act all psychologist. You know nothing about me homie so go obsess over some other poster... talk about taking a compliment toward a great player the wrong way...

Whoa...calm down there crazy.

I was just laughing at your post. It was funny...and you clearly have some complex about Dirk.

Which is fine actually...I find it funny.

Starts off complementary post with "had some severe down moments"...:cheers: :confusedshrug:

[SCdac]

Whoa...calm down there crazy.

I was just laughing at your post. It was funny...and you clearly have some complex about Dirk.

Which is fine actually...I find it funny.

Starts off complementary post with "had some severe down moments"...:cheers: :confusedshrug:

dude every player has some really bad moments. You want the censored, cleaned up, cookie cutter, dirk fanboy version of Dirk or what?? grow a pair and stop following me around. you seem bitter. I respect the Spurs toughest competition the last ~15 years and I love basketball. You think I like Kobe and Shaq? You think Dirk is my favorite player or something? Obviously not, but I respect greatness and perseverance and loyalty and a slew of other qualities found in HOF ball players like him. Dirk did not let defeat crush him, he used it as motivation to improve, and even the biggest critic has to respect that. Dirk deserves respect despite his shortcomings or imperfections. You don't like the way I describe your precious Dirk, well keep it moving and obsess over some other poster mate...

[IllegalD]

Whoa...calm down there crazy.

I was just laughing at your post. It was funny...and you clearly have some complex about Dirk.

Which is fine actually...I find it funny.

Starts off complementary post with "had some severe down moments"...:cheers: :confusedshrug:

Isn't it time for one of your brothers to use the laptop, and for you to empty out the septic tank of your trailer?

[DMAVS41]

dude every player has some really bad moments. You want the censored, cleaned up, cookie cutter, dirk fanboy version of Dirk or what?? grow a pair and stop following me around. you seem bitter. I respect the Spurs toughest competition the last ~15 years and I love basketball. You think I like Kobe and Shaq? You think Dirk is my favorite player or something? Obviously not, but I respect greatness and perseverance and loyalty and a slew of other qualities found in HOF ball players like him. Dirk did not let defeat crush him, he used it as motivation to improve, and even the biggest critic has to respect that. Dirk deserves respect despite his shortcomings or imperfections. You don't like the way I describe your precious Dirk, well keep it moving and obsess over some other poster mate...

You have a very loose definition of obsess considering I'm not even on here much anymore and I probably haven't posted anything in response to you in months.

No objective person would read the exchange above and your initial post and come away thinking I am the bitter one.

I was literally just laughing at the fact that even when you set out to write something nice about Dirk...you start it off in such a weird way. I think you do have a complex actually, but it wasn't my intention to start a discussion over it.

Like I said...carry on. :confusedshrug: :cheers:

Oh, and this thread should be sobering to you if you think you don't have at least a great deal of underlying issues with Dirk;

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300371

First to reply, but yea...no complex. Damn, just reading that thread is hilarious yet again...you going on and on about Dirk's worst moment of his career and misrepresenting things as usual. LOL

A response to you in that thread...not by me mind you;

Obviously Dirk is not GOAT material. The OP was obviously being facetious. Why you come in here being a sourpuss and taking the title literally is a mystery to me.

It's a nice commercial for a great player, no need to come in here and bring up his past failures in an attempt to take away from that.

I like that for you...sums you up nicely.

Another;

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232914

First response.

Who here has the obsession again?

[sammichoffate]

Wade, no question

[raiderfan19]

1. Cwebb-absolutely as physically gifted as anyone who's ever played. Still can't believe the magic passed on the possibility of a Shaq and cwebb front court. He absolutely killed Dallas in the playoffs too. Sad that he was only at his peak for a couple of years.

2. Nash- this is a little bit of a cheat because I loved him when he played for Dallas but he's got a legit and seriously underrated argument as the greatest offensive player in basketball history(and I know some of you will laugh at that but trust me it's a valid argument) and I never respected him more than when he was killing Dallas.

3. Dream-the closest thing to a perfect player in NBA history. Elite all time defender. Could take over a game, could pass. Could shoot fts. Had range for a c. Just absolutely nothing he couldn't do.

[SCdac]

You have a very loose definition of obsess considering I'm not even on here much anymore and I probably haven't posted anything in response to you in months.

No objective person would read the exchange above and your initial post and come away thinking I am the bitter one.

I was literally just laughing at the fact that even when you set out to write something nice about Dirk...you start it off in such a weird way. I think you do have a complex actually, but it wasn't my intention to start a discussion over it.

Like I said...carry on. :confusedshrug: :cheers:

dude you edited your first post to mention me and deride my post... and you edited a post again to quote me from 3 years ago.... :confusedshrug:

without going back and forth all night, I think it's safe to say you're waaay too caught up in my opinions and views.

back up off my nuts and just talk basketball, man

[DMAVS41]

dude you edited your first post to mention me and deride my post... and you edited a post again to quote me from 3 years ago.... :confusedshrug:

without going back and forth all night, I think it's safe to say you're waaay too caught up in my opinions and views.

back up off my nuts and just talk basketball, man

I edited the post because I read through the thread after my initial post.

It took all of 30 seconds to find you being the first poster in Dirk threads to go negative immediately.

Again, I don't care, it's actually comedy because you don't think you do it...which is what makes it funny.

I think it's safe to say you are way too caught up in anyone talking positively about Dirk...:cheers:

[SCdac]

I edited the post because I read through the thread after my initial post.

It took all of 30 seconds to find you being the first poster in Dirk threads to go negative immediately.

Again, I don't care, it's actually comedy because you don't think you do it...which is what makes it funny.

I think it's safe to say you are way too caught up in anyone talking positively about Dirk...:cheers:

dude, how can I express this clearly, I'm a hard core Spurs fan who's been posting on ISH since 2006...

Umm yeah, I'm going to post about and critique the guy who lead the competition in our biggest rivalry and most heated contests of the last 10+ years

Do you even live in Texas? do you understand the sports climate here?

me having strong opinions about basketball, the Mavs, and Dirk = natural basketball happenings of a (Spurs) fan

you repeatedly having strong opinions about my opinions even after months and years = just weird

as for the bold, re-read my first comment in this thread and multiple other compliments in multiple other threads (since you're e-stalking me) and realize how dumb of a statement that is...

[DMAVS41]

dude, how can I express this clearly, I'm a hard core Spurs fan who's been posting on ISH since 2006...

Umm yeah, I'm going to post about and critique the guy who lead the competition in our biggest rivalry and most heated contests of the last 10+ years

Do you even live in Texas? do you understand the sports climate here?

me having strong opinions about basketball, the Mavs, and Dirk = natural basketball happenings of a (Spurs) fan

you repeatedly having strong opinions about my opinions even after months and years = just weird

as for the bold, re-read my first comment in this thread and multiple other compliments in multiple other threads (since you're e-stalking me) and realize how dumb of a statement that is...

I was born in Texas and grew up here...so yea...please don't pretend to educate me on the sports climate here. Thanks.

You aren't grasping why I was laughing at you. You can't help yourself...which, again, I don't care. What I find funny is that you either deny it or don't realize you are doing it.

The same reason you start off your post the way you did is the same reason you have to jump into a positive Dirk thread to knock him. Again, it's all in good fun...but you seem a little sensitive when you are called out for it.

But again, I was just laughing at you for it...didn't intend to ruffle your feathers so much.

Your opinions on Dirk...I don't take issue with much overall...even though they are, at times, a bit ignorant....but I think some of that is just you being a Spurs fan and being hard pressed to be unbiased here.

Your opinions on basketball, overall, I tend to disagree with much more. But that isn't what needs to be brought up in this thread.

The funniest part is...you are admitting that you are doing exactly what I said you were. You are admitting it's hard for you to give credit to Dirk and the Mavs because of the rivalry and sports climate in Texas. So what is your issue with me laughing about it? You just aren't making much sense, sadly, as usual.

So I will continue to laugh at your complex with Dirk....:cheers:

[Carbine]

Probably Tim Duncan.

The reason I appreciate him so much is much like KBlaze said, "we not me" attitude.

Even though he could demand his touches over the last couple years and put up vastly better counting numbers (PPG, RPG) than he has.......and in a sense be more highly regarded by the general fan base because of "OMG 39 year old and still putting up near 20/10!!!" but most likely at the expense of being a better team.

I don't look no further than last year. Put up modest numbers in the regular season.....post-season rolls around, he gives it to the runner up Defensive Player of The Year to the tune of 18/11/3assists on almost 60 percent shooting.

Year before they're going to him to close out the OKC Thunder.

He was their best player in the playoffs last year when it mattered most, at age 39.

Going from that, knowing you can still perform at that level.......to taking a huge back seat to the development of Kawai and bringing in Aldridge just a few months later. Hes taken a huge step back on offense not because he's much worse but because its best for the team.

That's why I respect Duncan. He's not playing for any other reason than doing whatever it is that gives his team the best chance to win.

[SCdac]

I was born in Texas and grew up here...so yea...please don't pretend to educate me on the sports climate here. Thanks.

You aren't grasping why I was laughing at you. You can't help yourself...which, again, I don't care. What I find funny is that you either deny it or don't realize you are doing it.

The same reason you start off your post the way you did is the same reason you have to jump into a positive Dirk thread to knock him. Again, it's all in good fun...but you seem a little sensitive when you are called out for it.

But again, I was just laughing at you for it...didn't intend to ruffle your feathers so much.

Your opinions on Dirk...I don't take issue with much overall...even though they are, at times, a bit ignorant....but I think some of that is just you being a Spurs fan and being hard pressed to be unbiased here.

Your opinions on basketball, overall, I tend to disagree with much more. But that isn't what needs to be brought up in this thread.

The funniest part is...you are admitting that you are doing exactly what I said you were. You are admitting it's hard for you to give credit to Dirk and the Mavs because of the rivalry and sports climate in Texas. So what is your issue with me laughing about it? You just aren't making much sense, sadly, as usual.

So I will continue to laugh at your complex with Dirk....:cheers:

Wow. Another wall of dialogue from dmavs. And you missed the point entirely about rivalry, region, and discussion patterns. Not gonna even bother anymore

You're just a weird troll and fanboy who posts too much and writes excessively long posts (that you go back and edit...). For somebody who claims others are hell bent on criticizing Dirk , you are like Dirk's personal protecter on this board! Its weird and obsessive

[SCdac]

Probably Tim Duncan.

The reason I appreciate him so much is much like KBlaze said, "we not me" attitude.

Even though he could demand his touches over the last couple years and put up vastly better counting numbers (PPG, RPG) than he has.......and in a sense be more highly regarded by the general fan base because of "OMG 39 year old and still putting up near 20/10!!!" but most likely at the expense of being a better team.

I don't look no further than last year. Put up modest numbers in the regular season.....post-season rolls around, he gives it to the runner up Defensive Player of The Year to the tune of 18/11/3assists on almost 60 percent shooting.

Year before they're going to him to close out the OKC Thunder.

He was their best player in the playoffs last year when it mattered most, at age 39.

Going from that, knowing you can still perform at that level.......to taking a huge back seat to the development of Kawai and bringing in Aldridge just a few months later. Hes taken a huge step back on offense not because he's much worse but because its best for the team.

That's why I respect Duncan. He's not playing for any other reason than doing whatever it is that gives his team the best chance to win.

Great post man

[DMAVS41]

Wow. Another wall of dialogue from dmavs. And you missed the point entirely about rivalry, region, and discussion patterns. Not gonna even bother anymore

You're just a weird troll and fanboy who posts too much and writes excessively long posts (that you go back and edit...). For somebody who claims others are hell bent on criticizing Dirk , you are like Dirk's personal protecter on this board! Its weird and obsessive

I didn't miss the point...you did.

Let's make this simple;

You start a post on Dirk bringing up his failures in the first line...then go on to complement him.

I laugh because you can't complement him without making a post about the Warriors series or something else (this is your pattern)

You then get all bothered by my laughing at you...even though you later admit that you can't be too nice to Dirk/Mavs because of the rivalry and sports climate....

And this admission is odd because it was exactly what I was laughing at.

Even you should be able to follow this.

Side note, do you realize how many times you've randomly entered Dirk threads and posted the same picture of Stephen Jackson guarding Dirk? I've seen you do it many times. So lets tap the brakes on the obsession stuff and calling others out.

If you can't laugh at yourself at all...I feel sorry for you.

:cheers:

[ClipperRevival]

:applause:

Bravo OP. My thoughts exactly. The people who use advanced stats to measure Isiah and his impact don't know sh't about the game. Isiah was clearly "the man" and leader on that team. Every single Piston player will clearly admit to this. He led that team and they followed. He was without a doubt one of the GOAT killers to ever lace them up. :bowdown:

[Fire Colangelo]

Interesting topic..... I respect pretty much all the players that's ever played in the league, but to boil it down it'd have to be these three:

Kobe - How can you not respect the guy that drops 81 on your team lol... I don't even know where to start with Kobe. His work ethic, his mentality/approach to the game.... Truly spectacular. It's going to be a sad day when he plays his final game.

Paul Pierce - Can't stand him, but have to respect him for doing what he does at his age. Killed the Raptors two years in a row in the playoffs at 36/37 years old :oldlol: I can't even be mad about that anymore. Pierce is one of the least athletic wings we've had in the league (compared to guys like Kobe/Tmac/Carter/etc atleast), but he's just as good. Dude constantly gave you 26/5/6 purely on his skills and his bags of tricks. Clutch as **** too, you know exactly where his spots are, you know exactly what he's going to do, and he's still gonna nail the fadeaway in your face. Not to mention he was stabbed like 11 times in his younger days.... to make a comeback like that. :bowdown:

Yao Ming - Don't think anybody mentioned Yao yet, but he loved the game as much as anyone. One of the more skilled centres in the league... dude constantly battled Shaq (and earned his respect in the end) and outplayed Dwight. Probably would've been the best C in the league post 06 had he not been hit with injuries. I'll almost remember that game 1 against the Lakers where you know his knee/foot was bothering him... and he just kept coming back and ended up with 28/10 in a win.

[AlphaWolf24]

can you really really really dislike someone ( I don't want to say Hate....because may be too strong for basketball)...and still " respect them"...

this dude....

https://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhr0j7m4Nj1qa05zco1_400.jpg


and his ugly 3 pointer that always seemed to go in at the perfect time.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/7f10a6eb80fdb63f25f9d1382ac24473/tumblr_ngslc9LU1C1sdydefo1_500.gif


All I know is...when I watched the Lakers vs the Pistons ....Bill Lamebeer's face made me want to pull my hair out....Dude would somehow make great plays and end up hurting people.

I know they had Zeke and the crew...but LameBeer was that guy who you hated to death but maybe respected?....IDK:confusedshrug:

[pastis]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.
Waiting 5 feet from the basket for the ginobili/tony parker flashy-assist to make the easy off-the glass shot or layup/dunk.

I respected: Shaq, mcgready, parker, ginobili, gasol, bosh, lebron, pierce, kobe

Scdac: are you a drunk midget black hole or what? dont you see that ANY comment from you regarding Dirk is negative? You cant say anything positive about dirk without saying something negative in the same comment.
i guess you and timmy would make a great couple. your tiny and his semi-tiny d1ck and jizzing on flashy parker/ginobili assists

[Mr. Jabbar]

lebrons teammates. pretty clutch bunch

[Ranked 12th]

Chris Childs

[SCdac]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.

Well, you're probably the only one... and it says more about you than anything... but what can you expect from an obsessive Dirk fan boy who's more of a player fan than a team fan or nba fan

[pastis]

Well, you're probably the only one... and it says more about you than anything... but what can you expect from an obsessive Dirk fan boy who's more of a player fan than a team fan or nba fan

stfu negative face

[feyki]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.
Waiting 5 feet from the basket for the ginobili/tony parker flashy-assist to make the easy off-the glass shot or layup/dunk.

I respected: Shaq, mcgready, parker, ginobili, gasol, bosh, lebron, pierce, kobe

Scdac: are you a drunk midget black hole or what? dont you see that ANY comment from you regarding Dirk is negative? You cant say anything positive about dirk without saying something negative in the same comment.
i guess you and timmy would make a great couple. your tiny and his semi-tiny d1ck and jizzing on flashy parker/ginobili assists

I was hating Duncan too . He had good to great teams since 2004 . And he was the top man of the league many times in his prime . I always support worse teams . Cheers for favorite of champs away from me .

But respect ? C'mon bro . I didn't ever see respectable player than Duncan in basketball history . What's relationship between easy buckets and being respectable ? Irrelevant .

I was always respect his defensive force , all around game and scoring capabilities with his awesome footwork when his team struggled . But important point was his character man . He's buddha with playing basket ball .

[sportjames23]

Moses and Dantley.

Two of the most unique players in NBA history.

Dantley was 6-5, 210 lbs, and with limited range. And yet he was one of the most dominating POST players in NBA history. His scoring and efficiency were staggering...especially for 6-5. Why couldn't bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic defenders stop this guy? It was pure frustration.

Moses... 6-10, and at his peak, around 245 lbs. Not overly strong, nor had great hops, nor great range. And yet he dominated his peers on the level that a peak Wilt, KAJ, and Shaq did...except he was a far better rebounder than KAJ and Shaq. And speaking of Kareem...Moses was simply..."The Kareem Killer." He absolutely owned a near prime Abdul-Jabbar in their 40 career H2H's. And for about a five year stretch the most feared player in the league...in a league with KAJ, Gilmore, Bird, Dr. J, and Magic. IMHO, the most relentless player in NBA history.


One of the few times I'm gonna agree with ol' Russ here, but :cheers:

[Alan Ogg]

HEAT fan:
Dirk - he's a baller.
Rondo - his competitiveness.

[IllegalD]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.
Waiting 5 feet from the basket for the ginobili/tony parker flashy-assist to make the easy off-the glass shot or layup/dunk.

I respected: Shaq, mcgready, parker, ginobili, gasol, bosh, lebron, pierce, kobe

Scdac: are you a drunk midget black hole or what? dont you see that ANY comment from you regarding Dirk is negative? You cant say anything positive about dirk without saying something negative in the same comment.
i guess you and timmy would make a great couple. your tiny and his semi-tiny d1ck and jizzing on flashy parker/ginobili assists

Dirk couldn't even win with a superteam of Nash, Finley, prime Antwan Jamison and Antoine Walker.

That's 4 ALL-STAR teammates, with two 20 and 10 guys in their prime.

Absolutely pathetic and one of the main reasons why Dirk will never go down as an all time great. (Except in the mind of small-minded f*ggot Dirk Stans like the ones present on this board)

[Dray n Klay]

As a Duncan fan I'd have to say Lebron. From one torch bearer to another:applause:

[Stringer Bell]

can you really really really dislike someone ( I don't want to say Hate....because may be too strong for basketball)...and still " respect them"...

this dude....

https://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhr0j7m4Nj1qa05zco1_400.jpg


and his ugly 3 pointer that always seemed to go in at the perfect time.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/7f10a6eb80fdb63f25f9d1382ac24473/tumblr_ngslc9LU1C1sdydefo1_500.gif


All I know is...when I watched the Lakers vs the Pistons ....Bill Lamebeer's face made me want to pull my hair out....Dude would somehow make great plays and end up hurting people.

I know they had Zeke and the crew...but LameBeer was that guy who you hated to death but maybe respected?....IDK:confusedshrug:

Definitely. I'm always able to acknowledge that an athlete is good or great, even if I dislike them.

Laimbeer is a good example. I hated his dirty play. There's a difference between physical play and play that is dirty (can easily injure a player). And he's not just unlikable on the court. There's stories by teammates of how little kids would ask for an autograph and he'd serenade them with F bombs. Is a polite rejection, or even an emphatic "no" and ignoring the kid too much to ask?

Laimbeer was an important part of the Pistons run, a great rebounder, good outside shooter, one of the leaders behind Isiah. His shooting form was ugly, but effective because he'd catch it and immediately bring the ball up above his head and then release it. It was hard to block because he did this in one quick motion.

He wasn't just a goon who made the most annoying whiney faces, but he also was a 4 time all-star who averaged 13 and 10 during a 14 year career. He led the NBA in rebounding one year and finished in the top 5 in rebounding five straight seasons. He was scoring 15-17 PPG during this period too.

And he was very durable. In 10 seasons, he missed like 3 games, and I think it was for suspension and not injury.

Mind you I still love watching his takedown by Parish, and Pippen too. And getting a shiner from Barkley.

I didn't like those Pistons Bad Boy teams but I did always respect AND like Dumars.

[HoopologyPhD]

Chris Childs
How about Anthony Peeler? He went after fake tough guy KG and elbowed him right in the face despite being almost a foot shorter.

[Kawhi]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.
Waiting 5 feet from the basket for the ginobili/tony parker flashy-assist to make the easy off-the glass shot or layup/dunk.
Most hilarious thing I've read in quite some time.

[Kawhi]

Anyhow, though I hated him for a long time, looking back now, I have mad respect for Bill Laimbeer. He was the ultimate get in your head guy, and he didn't do it for the fun, he didn't do it for whatever. He did it to help his team, to get the pressure off of them. He could take being hated, he embraced being hated.

In the 1990 finals against the Blazers, he pretty much won them the series. Not because he was the best player on the court, but because he was the smartest. Kevin Duckworth passed away a long time ago, but rumor has it he still thinks about Laimbeer up there.

If you take a look at the things Laimbeer used to do, it was everything the league isn't anymore. This buddy buddy stuff. ''Hey, let's go out for dinner after the game''. He didn't care for that nonsense. He could be your best friend, or even your brother, but as soon as that ball went into the air for the opening tip, he went in for the kill.

I would love to see Laimbeer go after James, after Durant, after all the Superfriends that is the NBA today. And I bet Laimbeer would love to as well. Man, I love oldschool bball.

[knicksman]

All i can say is, being guarded by fatass boris diaw with 5 ft to shoot is definitely not respected

[chips93]

:applause:

Bravo OP. My thoughts exactly. The people who use advanced stats to measure Isiah and his impact don't know sh't about the game. Isiah was clearly "the man" and leader on that team. Every single Piston player will clearly admit to this. He led that team and they followed. He was without a doubt one of the GOAT killers to ever lace them up. :bowdown:

I wasn't around when Isaiah was playing but I've watched a lot of his old games on YouTube, he's probably my favourite old school player, like cp3 but quicker.

Anyway, how would you describe the weight of his feet? Would you consider his feet heavy? Light? Average? And what effect do think it has on his career? I read someone on here say feet weight is hugely impactful on a point guards ability.

[ClipperRevival]

I wasn't around when Isaiah was playing but I've watched a lot of his old games on YouTube, he's probably my favourite old school player, like cp3 but quicker.

Anyway, how would you describe the weight of his feet? Would you consider his feet heavy? Light? Average? And what effect do think it has on his career? I read someone on here say feet weight is hugely impactful on a point guards ability.

Are you making fun of me in your second paragraph about my description of D'Angelo? If you are serious, of course Isiah had quick feet. He was bordering on being an explosive athlete. Not AI explosive but very quick.

[rmt]

I never respected Duncan. Always the biggest help of all 00s Stars. Best coach.
Waiting 5 feet from the basket for the ginobili/tony parker flashy-assist to make the easy off-the glass shot or layup/dunk.

I respected: Shaq, mcgready, parker, ginobili, gasol, bosh, lebron, pierce, kobe

Scdac: are you a drunk midget black hole or what? dont you see that ANY comment from you regarding Dirk is negative? You cant say anything positive about dirk without saying something negative in the same comment.
i guess you and timmy would make a great couple. your tiny and his semi-tiny d1ck and jizzing on flashy parker/ginobili assists

You do realize that Dirk's and Cuban's answer to this question would probably be Duncan. You make it sound like Duncan never won a ring without TP/Manu or TD didn't get 2 MVPs when TP and Manu were rookies. Anyways, the 06 Mavs-Spurs series was the best I've ever seen. Dirk's a really nice guy, and one of my most touching NBA moments was when he accepted his MVP trophy having lost to the Warriors (which was a crazy series too).

Now that I think of it, both 06 Spurs and 07 Mavs lost to coaches with intimate knowledge of their teams (Avery and Don Nelson).

[chips93]

Are you making fun of me in your second paragraph about my description of D'Angelo? If you are serious, of course Isiah had quick feet. He was bordering on being an explosive athlete. Not AI explosive but very quick.

Yes I was.

What do you make of dangelo so far? He's playing very well since Scott has given him some freedom post all star. 17ppg and 4apg, scoring efficiently.

[ClipperRevival]

Yes I was.

What do you make of dangelo so far? He's playing very well since Scott has given him some freedom post all star. 17ppg and 4apg, scoring efficiently.

All of the things he needed to excel at to make up for his lack of athleticism is materializing. He's already a decent 3 pt shooter but since his form and shot looks right, he's got a chance to make that a real weapon. His feel for the game is also very good. Like you see him get steals or blocks regularly because he's correctly reading and/or anticipating the action. And I like his self confidence and belief in himself, which is so important. Still think his overall ceiling is limited though.