ESPN Disrespecting CLYDE DREXLER on recent Top 74 List.

[L.Kizzle]

Recently, ESPN came out with their new list of the 74 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time. And, most of the buzz was given to who was in the Top 10, deservedly so. But, I think their 11-74 spots were more puzzling than the top 10. The most puzzling ranking of the entire list that popped out at me was CLYDE DREXLER.

Clyde Drexler is ranked #57 out of 74. But let’s take a closer look at this. He’s bunched in between two recently retired SG‘s, #58 Manu and #56 Ray Allen. ESPN made a top 100 list in 2016. Clyde Drexler was #36 between Jason Kidd #35 and #37 Rick Barry (This years, list, Kidd is still #35 and Rick Barry dropped to #34.) Clyde drops a total of 21 spots this year. The biggest drop of on the entire list. These are guards/swingmen he’s listed behind on this years current list.

56 Ray Allen
55 Vince Carter
54 Paul Pierce
53 Gary Payton (another deep drop, not as deep as Clyde. Glove dropped 12 slots. Was #41 in 2016)
52 Tracy McGrady
49 Reggie Miller

No offense, but it’s disgusting that guys like Vince Carter are ranked ahead of him. I can’t even see someone debate Vince over Clyde in any category other than longevity (which he‘d win over everyone lol.) Reggie Miller is a guy Clyde was better than his entire career but is somehow ranked about ten spots higher than him 20 years later.

Why did Clyde get disrespected so much this year?
Where does Clyde rank on an All-Time list?

https://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/threads/top-nba-players-of-all-time.18802/#lg=_xfUid-1-1589588140&slide=0

[FultzNationRISE]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

[Soundwave]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

The world from June 1992 calling to say "bullshit".

That was settled fairly resoundingly then.

Clyde is underrated though. Players like Drexler and Dominique, not Scottie Pippen (who was a fantastic player in his own right) are actually underrated. Pippen was not better than those two guys, but on any of these lists he's like 20-30 spots higher because he had the benefit of Jordan to win many titles with.

[Smoke117]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

Drexler was never on Jordan's level or close to it. He certainly should be higher on this list, though.

[FKAri]

Reggie and TMac pulled ahead of Clyde in the last 3 years. Clyde needs to get his shit together and put the work in.

[scuzzy]

Reggie and TMac pulled ahead of Clyde in the last 3 years. Clyde needs to get his shit together and put the work in.:lol

[SATAN]

The retarded attention whores made another list for people to argue about. Who ****ing cares.

ESPN is cancer.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

I agree with you.

Here are some great Glide performances:

41pts vs Stockton and Malone's Jazz (1995 Playoffs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mt_8svE7X4

42/12/9 vs. Lakers (1992 Playoffs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aluf8FquhRA

Clyde Drexler - 38pts vs. Sixers, Highlight after Highlight (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQSu_JxItuI

A smooth operator if there ever was one. Guy makes the game look effortless.

[LeCroix]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

easily true

90s was clyde and mj #1 and #2 (weak era)

payton is trash and not ranked over clyde glide

dumb espn the rankings get wonky after top 30 usually anyway

[DoctorP]

Recently, ESPN came out with their new list of the 74 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time. And, most of the buzz was given to who was in the Top 10, deservedly so. But, I think their 11-74 spots were more puzzling than the top 10. The most puzzling ranking of the entire list that popped out at me was CLYDE DREXLER.

Clyde Drexler is ranked #57 out of 74. But let’s take a closer look at this. He’s bunched in between two recently retired SG‘s, #58 Manu and #56 Ray Allen. ESPN made a top 100 list in 2016. Clyde Drexler was #36 between Jason Kidd #35 and #37 Rick Barry (This years, list, Kidd is still #35 and Rick Barry dropped to #34.) Clyde drops a total of 21 spots this year. The biggest drop of on the entire list. These are guards/swingmen he’s listed behind on this years current list.

56 Ray Allen
55 Vince Carter
54 Paul Pierce
53 Gary Payton (another deep drop, not as deep as Clyde. Glove dropped 12 slots. Was #41 in 2016)
52 Tracy McGrady
49 Reggie Miller

No offense, but it’s disgusting that guys like Vince Carter are ranked ahead of him. I can’t even see someone debate Vince over Clyde in any category other than longevity (which he‘d win over everyone lol.) Reggie Miller is a guy Clyde was better than his entire career but is somehow ranked about ten spots higher than him 20 years later.

Why did Clyde get disrespected so much this year?
Where does Clyde rank on an All-Time list?

https://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/threads/top-nba-players-of-all-time.18802/#lg=_xfUid-1-1589588140&slide=0

because lame voters

same reason bidens gonna be the candidate

democracy kinda sucks

[HBK_Kliq_2]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

You lost your damn mind. Jordan ate Drex alive during the 1992 finals. Drex is on Pippen's level, not Jordan. Drex was always a robin (see 1995 year).

[MiseryCityTexas]

Being from Houston is why Clyde droppe so low. People disrespect everybody from Houston unless your Travis Scott, Beyonce, or Megan TheeStallion. People would respect Drexler's career a lot more if he was from a place like New York, or LA. Even Hakeem Olajuwon gets disrespect on these lists. Other players usually get ranked higher than Hakeem even though he was better than a lot of them.

[MiseryCityTexas]

You lost your damn mind. Jordan ate Drex alive during the 1992 finals. Drex is on Pippen's level, not Jordan. Drex was always a robin (see 1995 year).

Drexler took a bunch of role players and a washed up Buck Williams to the finals twice.

[3ball]

I agree. Drex was on a similar level as MJ, just never had the dynasty caliber talent around him.

Criminally underrated.

26/8/5 vs Rodman, MJ, Pippen in 90' and 92' Finals

27/7/6 from 87-92'... His prime had better stats than many Kobe years, or Wade... His peak was on their level and he'd be recognized as much if he won the 92' title with his higher-scoring cast and higher-ranked defense

[LostCause]

They admit to bias:


Kevin Pelton: That the timing of "The Last Dance" seems to be influencing the rankings. Scottie Pippen is the only player who was in the Hall of Fame at the time we last ranked players historically in 2016 to move up at least four spots from then, and Dennis Rodman also moved up two spots. Meanwhile, some of the players the Bulls vanquished in the Finals have tumbled: Gary Payton by 12 spots and Clyde Drexler by 21, the largest drop of anyone between the two lists.

Tim MacMahon: Recency bias played a significant role in these rankings, both positively and negatively. I believe Giannis Antetokounmpo is en route to all-time greatness, but it's ridiculous for a 25-year-old who has never played in the Finals to be No. 27 on the list. Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony both clearly belong thanks to their overall bodies of work, but their reputations have been tarnished by their decline and difficulty adapting to the NBA's changes in recent years.
4. Which player in the top 74 is ranked too low?


Pelton: Clyde Drexler, who seems to have dropped mostly because of the focus in "The Last Dance" on the way Michael Jordan made him pay for the media claiming Drexler and Jordan were on the same level entering the 1992 NBA Finals. Drexler ranks 44th in my championships added metric, and the 13-spot difference from his finish in the voting is the largest for any player who retired after 1965 and played his entire career in the NBA.

MacMahon: Compare the six wings between No. 49 and 57 -- Reggie Miller, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Ray Allen and Clyde Drexler -- and explain to me how Drexler was the lowest-ranked among that group. Drexler had the highest career scoring average of that group and was the best rebounder, passer and defender. Drexler is the only one on that list who was the best player on a Finals team (twice with Portland) and he won a ring as a star with the Rockets.

Bontemps: Rick Barry is a victim of some of his prime years coming in the ABA and, as a result, his NBA numbers looking lesser than they otherwise would. Barry was a first-team All-NBA selection five times -- with those selections coming both before and after his ABA career -- and was named to four straight first teams in the ABA. Only 14 players have been named to the first team nine or more times, and Barry ranks last among them. He might not ever win a popularity contest, but he won a championship in both leagues and was consistently among the best players in the sport for a decade. He should be a solid 10-20 spots higher than he is.

Lopez: He hasn't had the team success or individual accolades of other point guards (although you can argue he should have had an MVP in 2007-08), but Chris Paul should be in the point guard cluster around 28-31 with John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash and Isiah Thomas instead of the one at 39-41 with Walt Frazier and Bob Cousy. And as this year has shown, he isn't slowing down like many thought he would.

[Smoke117]

26/8/5 vs Rodman, MJ, Pippen in 90' and 92' Finals

27/7/6 from 87-92'... His prime had better stats than many Kobe years, or Wade... His peak was on their level and he'd be recognized as much if he won the 92' title with his higher-scoring cast and higher-ranked defense

lol no. Drexler was playing at a much higher pace than guys like Kobe and Wade. When Wade averaged his career high 30.0ppg in 09 the Heat played at a 89.9 pace. The two years Drexler averaged 27ppg? 103.6, 103.9. Yeah, shut up. Wade and Kobe were far, far, better half court players than Drexler. He isn't at all on their level.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Drexler took a bunch of role players and a washed up Buck Williams to the finals twice.

Porter was averaging 21 points 65% TS and 7 assists that's plenty of help. Clyde played terrible vs bulls in 1992 and was exposed as a robin only.

[Smoke117]

Porter was averaging 21 points 65% TS and 7 assists that's plenty of help. Clyde played terrible vs bulls in 1992 and was exposed as a robin only.

Terry Porter was the guy they went to in the half court as Drexler was just average at best in that regard.

[bizil]

ESPN lists have NO CREDIBILITY in my eyes! It's not about disagreeing with certain rankings IN GENERAL!! It's MORE ABOUT how egregious their rankings are! Drexler NO DOUBT should be ranked AT LEAST 20 spots higher! Drexler was VIRTUALLY redefining the SG spot at the same time as MJ! The SG spot had NEVER SEEN 6'6-6'7 freak athletes with their blend of scoring, passing, and rebounding as a package. They were THE TWO guys to bring Dr. J size and athletic ability to the backcourt. And make it a permanent fixture. If MJ wasn't around, Clyde would have been THE GUY to make that change to the SG spot BY HIMSELF! U gotta be a superstar-HOF caliber type to redefine a position. Drexler was EASILY on that caliber. Problem was THE GOAT of ALL TEAM SPORTS not just hoops was his contemporary.

MJ was HANDS DOWN the better player of course. MJ was the better defender, had the more complete scoring skillset, and was the most dominant perimeter scorer of all time. BUT Drexler was still an alpha dog scorer himself. Who was just as good a passer and rebounder as MJ. At one point, Clyde was the 3rd GOAT SG. Mamba and D Wade eclipsed him. But Clyde for a LONG ASS TIME was a Mt. Rushmore SG. Who NEVER played with another perennial All Star type guy or HOF type until late in his career in Houston with Dream. The fact he got Portland to two Finals BEFORE winning the big one with Houston was a GREAT FEAT!!! And Porter-Drexler is one of the most underrated backcourts of all time. Porter wasn't a perennial All Star type guy. BUT he was All Star caliber who SKILL FOR SKILL was one of the best PG's in the league at one point. If u look at passing ability for example, they are among the top 5 backcourts of ALL TIME!

[Smook A.]

ESPN disrespected Dwight Howard too by not even having him on the list.

And as much as I like T-Mac, he's wayyy too high on this list. His playoff success is probably the weakest ever for a superstar

Experts my ****ing ass

[Gimmedarock]

I think he dropped because so many current players entered the list. If they’d limited the list to retired players, Drexler would place higher I think.

[LeCroix]

Only 3ball would find a way to prop up Drexler and diminish Pippen.

Such a fail

[bizil]

ESPN disrespected Dwight Howard too by not even having him on the list.

And as much as I like T-Mac, he's wayyy too high on this list. His playoff success is probably the weakest ever for a superstar

Experts my ****ing ass

Another example of BULLSHIT!!!! At one point, Howard was the best center on the planet. And a top 5-7 caliber player who willed Orlando to a Finals appearance. Dwight HANDS DOWN should be a 1st ballot HOFer. If T Mac got in on the 1st ballot, then Dwight should too. 8 time All Star AND 8 time All NBA with 3 DPOYs an 5 rebounding titles is an EASY SELECTION for a top 74 list! Despite his injury issues and not expanding his scoring skillset, he STILL is likely a top 15 GOAT caliber center:

Cap
Russ
Wilt
Shaq
Dream
Moses
Admiral
Ewing
Mikan

After these legends, Dwight's name could FOR SURE come up in the next six slots.

[FultzNationRISE]

ESPN disrespected Dwight Howard too by not even having him on the list.

And as much as I like T-Mac, he's wayyy too high on this list. His playoff success is probably the weakest ever for a superstar

Experts my ****ing ass


Doesnt McGrady work at ESPN? :lol

[Smook A.]

Doesnt McGrady work at ESPN? :lol

That might be why those ESPN “experts” have him that high in the first place :oldlol: So he doesn’t get upset

[ImKobe]

Drexler led multiple contenders to the Finals and saved the Rockets multiple times in that 1995 Playoff run, as well as outplaying peak Penny Hardaway in crunch time in the Finals. He's top 30 in my book.

Some of his notable games from that 1995 title run

Game 4 vs Utah (elimination, down 1 - 2) - 41/9/6 66.7%FG
Game 5 @ Utah - 31/10/3 53.3%FG
Game 7 @ Phoenix - 29/8/4 57.9%FG

All-time great performances.

[Phoenix]

Clyde's ranking is ridiculous taking the 2016 one into consideration. Current players doing things that bump them up obviously makes sense. But how does Clyde's legacy, etched in stone, drop so much in 4 years?

[Smoke117]

Drexler led multiple contenders to the Finals and saved the Rockets multiple times in that 1995 Playoff run, as well as outplaying peak Penny Hardaway in crunch time in the Finals. He's top 30 in my book.

Some of his notable games from that 1995 title run

Game 4 vs Utah (elimination, down 1 - 2) - 41/9/6 66.7%FG
Game 5 @ Utah - 31/10/3 53.3%FG
Game 7 @ Phoenix - 29/8/4 57.9%FG

All-time great performances.

Way to run your mouth about performances you've never seen. Just numbers. We all know you never actually saw these games, dipshit. You're trolling has really gotten out of hand these last couple of years. Stick to the kobrick dick sucking as you can actually be believed you watched him play, dipshit. The only thing you know about Clyde Drexler is what you've seen on youtube.

[L.Kizzle]

Porter was averaging 21 points 65% TS and 7 assists that's plenty of help. Clyde played terrible vs bulls in 1992 and was exposed as a robin only.

Clyde didn't get exposed, he was actually hurt. He injured himself in the semifinals I believe. He had knee surgery in the off season (after the Olympics.)

His 92 Finals stats were 25/8/5/1 on 40%
compared to his 90 Finals stats vs Bad Boy Pistons. 26/8/6/2 on 54%

And just for the hell of it, his 95 Finals stats. 22/10/7/1 on 45%

Clyde was never the same after 92. His 93 stats were 20/6/6 in only 49 games after avg 80 games a year his first ten seasons.
94 - 19/7/5
95 - 22/6/5

His production was still there, his games were just going down slightly. After 92 he only played over 70 games twice in a season.

Clyde should definitely be between that 30-40 range,