Players ahead of their time

[PP34Deuce]

I look at the all time great list of NBA players and I've always noticed the accomplishments and championships. There are guys that changed rules and how the game was played based off a skill or athletic ability that was not seen as normal.

My list:

Kevin Garnett- Garnett came in the league where Robinson, Ewing, Mourning were bruising big men. He had a skill for defending the pick and roll on switches and yet it wasn't as valued due to the time period he started playing in. in todays game, the 2002 Kevin Garnett would be more valued than a post anchor for his ability to switch on any type of player in the league.

Fat Lever- This guy was one of the most athletic PG's and straight gamer. Combo guards that could rebound like him were not around like that. Guy leads all time greats in Triple doubles. He was playing a game that's more common today, in the 80's.

Magic Johnson- We all know his impact.

[riseagainst]

Wilt, Magic, Bird, MJ, Kobe, Curry.

[feyki]

Every legend was ahead of their time .

[PP34Deuce]

Wilt, Magic, Bird, MJ, Kobe, Curry.


See I don't believe Kobe or MJ were ahead of their time. They seized their time and came at a point where their skills were greatly valued. Curry to me isn't ahead of his time, He has capitalized on the 3 pointer and just taken it up a level.

Bird is tough because he had at times, magic like ability to pass.

Players like Garnett, Fat Lever, Magic has were truly unique. I'd also include Lebron, Sabonis to that list too.

[Terahite]

Dr J

[lilteapot]

Dirk

[ClipperRevival]

Wilt, Magic, Bird, MJ, Kobe, Curry.

:biggums:

[senelcoolidge]

Well all time greats like Oscar Robertson, Wilt, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Dr. J, Bob Pettit, Jerry Lucas, Bob MacAdoo and Magic were all pioneers.

[Sarcastic]

Pistol Pete is really the best answer.

He'd be GOAT status if he came up in this era.

[PP34Deuce]

Dirk


Dirk could be considered one. We only had a handful of 6'10 and up big men that could shoot lights out. You have players today that do the Dirk jumpshots.

[ShawkFactory]

Wilt, Magic, Bird, MJ, Kobe, Curry.
:kobe:

[PP34Deuce]

Pistol Pete is really the best answer.

He'd be GOAT status if he came up in this era.


I completely forgot about Pistol pete. He was doing things in passing and ball handling other guys weren't. Definitely had contrasting style from his era.

[jstern]

I think Kevin Garnet was definitely valued. I never heard any comparison to those 90s centers since they were on their way out and he was straight out of high school, but he definitely was expected to be a superstar.

[toprange]

lebron was ahead of his time. He came into the league with very limited offensive skills. Fast fowared to todays league and he fits right in with the limited offensive style of play

[ClipperRevival]

lebron was ahead of his time. He came into the league with very limited offensive skills. Fast fowared to todays league and he fits right in with the limited offensive style of play

Oh snap.

[Cold soul]

KG
Dirk
Lebron
Magic

[KobesFinger]

Pippen/Bird as point-fowards? Then we had Grant Hill, C-Webb, Odom, LeBron, Hedo, Iggy and Giannis among others

[Chadwin]

Iverson and Francis for starting the iso comboguard chucking era

[HoopologyPhD]

Sam Perkins could/should be considered one of the pioneers of the stretch 4 with his smooth no jump, jump shot. This guy was putting up 3-4 threes a game in the early 90s and was quite close to 40% from distance.

[Levity]

Pistol Pete is really the best answer.

He'd be GOAT status if he came up in this era.

yarp

at least he got to play with the 3 point line in one season. shot something like 60%+ beyond the arc, too





..... on about 12 attempts though :lol

[Smoke117]

Scottie Pippen...the term "point forward" was coined because of him.

[Smoke117]

Iverson and Francis for starting the iso comboguard chucking era

lol the only problem with this is putting Francis up with Iverson as a chucker is an insult. Besides...I liked watching Stevie Franchise ball on the Rockets back in the day.

[knicksman]

Lebron wasnt ahead of his time. Wilt came first

[bizil]

Any list BETTER include these legends to start with:

- Big O (the First Big PG, even by today's standard and the first triple double machine)

- Wilt (the first true Goliath of basketball)

- Russ (brought a blend of athletic ability, rebounding skill, and defensive versatility never seen before from a player his size)

- Petitt (laid down the pure PF template that Hayes and Malone would follow later)

- West (first guard who did EVERYTHING at a great level. Big O didn't have West's defensive or shooting ability. MJ's fundamental skillset was based on West. MJ said that himself)

- Baylor (first great freak athlete scoring machine)

- Cousy (first razzle dazzle PG with the sick dimes)

All seven were WAY AHEAD of their time. In terms of production, versatility, or style of play, they set the tone.

After them, I think these guys are the most unique of all time for their position:

PG- Magic
SG- MJ
SF- Bron
PF- KG
C- Shaq

[Haymaker]

Dell Curry. A 3pt specialist was not as valuable back then as it is now. He was a so-so defender though.