Carmelo Anthony vs. Dominique Wilkins

[Lebron23]

Who is the better player? I think Melo is the better player. he led his team in the conference finals


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dee7gwCcuiI




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ju0mAzCLeA

[Lebron23]

Melo scoring 42 points and 41 points vs. Celtics, and LeBron in the playoffs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9u8745-u5o



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rRDw9cJYOg&t=174s

[Lebron23]

In his prime Melo is just a tier below LeBron, and Durant. A tier above Paul Pierce, and Klay Thompson. He finished 3rd in MVP Voting in 2013. His advantage over Dominique Wilkins. he led his team in the conference finals, and longevity. He led his team in the conference finals when he played for the Nuggets"

[Xiao Yao You]

both high scoring 3's that were neither as great as their hype

[Reggie43]

Melo got out of the first round just twice in his career. A lone conference finals trip is hardly an edge.

[John8204]

51-60
Cousy, Drexler, Embiid, English, Miller, Nash, Pierce, Rodman, Schayes, Wilkins
61-70
Allen, Carmello, Cowens, Gilmore, Lillard, McAdoo, Moncrief, Mullin, Unseld, Worthy

I think Dominique is a mid-50's player...Carmello I rank in the low 60's. Dom's issues were the competition in his prime years he had to play against really great teams. I think he was just as good as Drexler/English/Miller he just wasn't as accomplished. Carmello is a solid score first type guy but Dom could attack the rim and in a softer time likely would have been a bigger star.

[Xiao Yao You]

51-60
Cousy, Drexler, Embiid, English, Miller, Nash, Pierce, Rodman, Schayes, Wilkins
61-70
Allen, Carmello, Cowens, Gilmore, Lillard, McAdoo, Moncrief, Mullin, Unseld, Worthy

I think Dominique is a mid-50's player...Carmello I rank in the low 60's. Dom's issues were the competition in his prime years he had to play against really great teams. I think he was just as good as Drexler/English/Miller he just wasn't as accomplished. Carmello is a solid score first type guy but Dom could attack the rim and in a softer time likely would have been a bigger star.

He wasn't in Drexler's league

[John8204]

He wasn't in Drexler's league

Drexler's highest PPG was 27.2, Dom topped that seven times. for me Dom > Clyde...if Dom played in Dallas or Denver he likely makes the finals over Clyde.

[Xiao Yao You]

Drexler's highest PPG was 27.2, Dom topped that seven times. for me Dom > Clyde...if Dom played in Dallas or Denver he likely makes the finals over Clyde.

Drexler did it all. Dominique was just a flashy version of what Dantley and others did better

[Kblaze8855]

He wasn't in Drexler's league


That’s one of the 50 least true things I’ve ever read on ish.

[SouBeachTalents]

What I took away from this thread is that Melo led his team to the conference finals.

[SouBeachTalents]

That’s one of the 50 least true things I’ve ever read on ish.
That's a bold statement :lol I'd argue claiming Melo was a tier above Pierce is even more untrue.

[ClipperRevival]

I think they are in the same tier for the most part.

Both kind of black holes who weren't very good at setting teammates up. Melo more bulkier, more reliance on the midrange and post game while Nique much more athletic and more dangerous end to end.

I don't think you ever win a ring with these type of players as your #1.

[Kblaze8855]

Id say all the tier and league talk is off. League more so than tier. I’d say a tier in the same league is maybe….5-6 guys? A whole league apart? That feels to me like one guy is top 20 and the other is like top 100. And even that might not be far enough. If you go look at like slams top 500? Guys like Glen Rice are damn near 300. There is a looooong list of guys who will give you 22-28 in their primes and not be really special at anything else.

Too many to say most of these guys aren’t in a similar league. You don’t go into a Hawks/Blazer game thinking Drexler is about to kick Niques ass. Pretty even matchup of not top 5 but probably top 10 wings.

Even when people were talking about him vs Jordan Clyde wasnt just better than Jordan, Barkley, Hakeem, Drob, Ewing or Malone and that’s after Magic and Bird fell off. Nique and Drexler were both in that next group. And even if you consider one the group following that it’s the difference between like Zo and Ewing in the mid 90s after Pat had slowed down a step. Ok Ewing is better. But it’s not a gap to just make a big deal of.

[fsvr54]

In his prime Melo is just a tier below LeBron, and Durant. A tier above Paul Pierce, and Klay Thompson. He finished 3rd in MVP Voting in 2013. His advantage over Dominique Wilkins. he led his team in the conference finals, and longevity. He led his team in the conference finals when he played for the Nuggets"

Melo is NOT better than Paul Pierce.

[HoopsNY]

That's a bold statement :lol I'd argue claiming Melo was a tier above Pierce is even more untrue.

I was JUST about to say the same thing.

[bizil]

I gotta go with Nique on this one. When we talk freak athletic ability scoring, ARGUABLY the most PHYSICALLY DOMINANT SF to ever play in the league. So the way Shaq was physically dominant for centers on vertical point of attack, Nique was that at the SF position. BUT of course with more style and grace mixed in. What Dr. J did for the sick one foot gliding hops, Nique did that for the stylish and powerful two foot hops.

When u mix in his scoring skillset (vastly underrated by many), just think Nique was more unpredictable and a bit TOUGHER TO STOP than Melo. Of course you have Bron there as the most physically dominant SF too. BUT scoring wise, I actually think Nique APPLIED his freak athletic ability in a more relentless nature than even Bron. Because Bron has the Magic Johnson-Big O shit in his game. Where he was the floor general controlling the game.

Melo is the more skilled scorer. Among SF's, one of the three most skilled scorers ever. In that class with KD and Bird. Just saw Nique WILL those Hawks teams to heights they had no business being on. Pushing the 88 Celtics to a game 7 WITH the roster he had prove how great Nique was.

So I DISAGREE with the fact Nique couldn't be a team's best player on a title team. KEEP IN MIND his prime years featured the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, and Bulls. How IN THE HELL was Nique gonna win a ring when VIRTUALLY his entire prime years had those iconic teams. But Nique, Melo, King, Dantley, and English ALL get underrated in my opinion.

The 2004 Pistons setup would be the IDEAL TEAM for a Nique or Melo to win a ring as the best player on. Thing is it's HARDER to build around a Nique or Melo. BECAUSE they don't cover as many gaps as Bron, Bird, KD, Kawhi, Hondo, etc at the SF. BUT scoring wise, they can go toe to toe with anybody. While getting 7-8 boards a night.

[Soundwave]

I would pick Dominique, both are great scorers, but Nique is way better athletically.

[bizil]

I would pick Dominique, both are great scorers, but Nique is way better athletically.

I just think Nique is the BEST COMBO of freak athletic ability AND scoring skill EVER at the SF position. Nique was a more SKILLED scorer than Dr. J. Even in comparison to Lebron, Nique's scoring skillset holds up. Peep the way Nique used the glass, the floaters in his bag, his nasty spin move, pump fakes, post game footwork on the block, etc. When it comes to Kawhi, I DON'T consider him a freak athlete on the level of Nique. Pierce certainly isn't a freak athlete. Guys like Vince and T Mac I consider SG's.

[ClipperRevival]

I gotta go with Nique on this one. When we talk freak athletic ability scoring, ARGUABLY the most PHYSICALLY DOMINANT SF to ever play in the league. So the way Shaq was physically dominant for centers on vertical point of attack, Nique was that at the SF position. BUT of course with more style and grace mixed in. What Dr. J did for the sick one foot gliding hops, Nique did that for the stylish and powerful two foot hops.

When u mix in his scoring skillset (vastly underrated by many), just think Nique was more unpredictable and a bit TOUGHER TO STOP than Melo. Of course you have Bron there as the most physically dominant SF too. BUT scoring wise, I actually think Nique APPLIED his freak athletic ability in a more relentless nature than even Bron. Because Bron has the Magic Johnson-Big O shit in his game. Where he was the floor general controlling the game.

Melo is the more skilled scorer. Among SF's, one of the three most skilled scorers ever. In that class with KD and Bird. Just saw Nique WILL those Hawks teams to heights they had no business being on. Pushing the 88 Celtics to a game 7 WITH the roster he had prove how great Nique was.

So I DISAGREE with the fact Nique couldn't be a team's best player on a title team. KEEP IN MIND his prime years featured the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, and Bulls. How IN THE HELL was Nique gonna win a ring when VIRTUALLY his entire prime years had those iconic teams. But Nique, Melo, King, Dantley, and English ALL get underrated in my opinion.

The 2004 Pistons setup would be the IDEAL TEAM for a Nique or Melo to win a ring as the best player on. Thing is it's HARDER to build around a Nique or Melo. BECAUSE they don't cover as many gaps as Bron, Bird, KD, Kawhi, Hondo, etc at the SF. BUT scoring wise, they can go toe to toe with anybody. While getting 7-8 boards a night.

I think these guys are rated just fine. We have to differentiate between guys who were great at just getting theirs but not having the overall game to get teammates involved and make them better versus guys who could do both. Kobe, MJ, Wade, Bron, etc all had the latter. And it's no coincidence they won chips.

There are levels to greatness for individual players IMO. I just don't think you can win with a "black hole" type scorer as your best player. Maybe in an off year with a stacked supporting cast but most years, no. Winning is hard. It takes chemistry, flow, and a great brand of ball to win.

Plus, Nique wasn't known for his D either, another big factor. So agree to disagree on this one.

[Xiao Yao You]

I think these guys are rated just fine. We have to differentiate between guys who were great at just getting theirs but not having the overall game to get teammates involved and make them better versus guys who could do both. Kobe, MJ, Wade, Bron, etc all had the latter. And it's no coincidence they won chips.

There are levels to greatness for individual players IMO. I just don't think you can win with a "black hole" type scorer as your best player. Maybe in an off year with a stacked supporting cast but most years, no. Winning is hard. It takes chemistry, flow, and a great brand of ball to win.

Plus, Nique wasn't known for his D either, another big factor. So agree to disagree on this one.

Yep. Fratello put a good defensively team around him. Athletically he should have been better than MJ. He just wasn't a guy that was going to carry a team. He was an over hyped high scoring 3 like Carmelo. The advanced stats show A.D. as much better than either. I remember the year they signed Moses and Theus for big bucks and they were supposed to make a run at the top teams with their big 3! What a shit show it turned out to be.

[ShawkFactory]

That’s one of the 50 least true things I’ve ever read on ish.

Meh...depends on what you mean by the same league. I think if you asked 10 smart people who they'd rather have on their team if they're truly trying to win I think most are probably taking Drexler. Like 8-9 out of 10, but maybe not by that much.

It's kind of the same question as if a team wins a series in 5 games but pretty much every game is close, is it really a dominant victory? Kind of..but maybe not?

[ClipperRevival]

Yeah, I think Drexler was better than Nique. Maybe in a vacuum, if you're scouting both, Nique might go higher but if I'm trying to win, I take Drexler.

Drexler went to 2 finals as "the man" when the WC was ultra, ultra stacked and won one as 2nd fiddle with some DOMINANT scoring binges in 1995. He was much more complete. Better passer, better defender and not nearly as ball dominant.

[light]

They have nearly identical accolades and awards in the NBA.

Nique was the Human Highlight Film though. He matched MJ in terms of capacity to produce incredible highlights. Melo just couldn't do those kinds of things.

It's a matter of preference. if you like a super athletic and agile player that can fly and dunk with awesome power and authority - twisting in the air like a falling cat and rocketing the ball down through the hoop with a sonic boom - then you'll probably prefer to watch Nique.

If you like shooting and honey nut cheerios you'll probably go with Melo.

I prefer Nique over Melo. For me it's not even close. Basketball is entertainment and Nique is indeed the Human Highlight Film and, remember, what made Michael Jordan so popular and amazing initially was his ability to pull off the types of athletic feats that Nique could pull off.

[bizil]

I think these guys are rated just fine. We have to differentiate between guys who were great at just getting theirs but not having the overall game to get teammates involved and make them better versus guys who could do both. Kobe, MJ, Wade, Bron, etc all had the latter. And it's no coincidence they won chips.

There are levels to greatness for individual players IMO. I just don't think you can win with a "black hole" type scorer as your best player. Maybe in an off year with a stacked supporting cast but most years, no. Winning is hard. It takes chemistry, flow, and a great brand of ball to win.

Plus, Nique wasn't known for his D either, another big factor. So agree to disagree on this one.

You made some good points. But thing is Nique NEVER played with a superstar/perennial All Star type in their prime. Im AWARE Kobe, Bron, MJ, and Wade are better and more complete players. BUT they also PLAYED with HOF guys in the prime of their careers.

Nique wasnt on the top 50 list back in the day. When he should have been a lock. Glad he made top 75 though. Nique wasnt even first ballot HOF. When it should have been a lock. So Nique FOR ME is still underrated! People on this site act like averaging 28-30 PPG and 7-9 rebounds year after year ISNT impressive! Sure there are levels to greatness…. But u gotta look at the teams these guys played on!

[bizil]

Yep. Fratello put a good defensively team around him. Athletically he should have been better than MJ. He just wasn't a guy that was going to carry a team. He was an over hyped high scoring 3 like Carmelo. The advanced stats show A.D. as much better than either. I remember the year they signed Moses and Theus for big bucks and they were supposed to make a run at the top teams with their big 3! What a shit show it turned out to be.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! Nique never played with an HOF caliber guy in the prime of their career! When MJ retired for baseball, Nique had the Hawks first in the East halfway through the year. WITHOUT an HOF type guy around him. The Hawks traded him for Manning! And we see what happened!!! The heat some phenomenal scorers catch JUST because they arent great all around players is baffling!

[dankok8]

I would go with Nique because I think at his best he was just a bit better. The way he dueled with Bird and MJ at times I think proves he's just better than Melo. Although I will say in 2009 prior to his injury, Melo was dominant in those playoffs and went toe-to-toe with Kobe for the first few games.

[Round Mound]

Nique

[Xiao Yao You]

Meh...depends on what you mean by the same league. I think if you asked 10 smart people who they'd rather have on their team if they're truly trying to win I think most are probably taking Drexler. Like 8-9 out of 10, but maybe not by that much.

It's kind of the same question as if a team wins a series in 5 games but pretty much every game is close, is it really a dominant victory? Kind of..but maybe not?

it was never close to me. Drexler was closer to MJ than Wilkens was to Drexler. Drexler did it all. Wilkens could score

[Xiao Yao You]

You made some good points. But thing is Nique NEVER played with a superstar/perennial All Star type in their prime. Im AWARE Kobe, Bron, MJ, and Wade are better and more complete players. BUT they also PLAYED with HOF guys in the prime of their careers.

Nique wasnt on the top 50 list back in the day. When he should have been a lock. Glad he made top 75 though. Nique wasnt even first ballot HOF. When it should have been a lock. So Nique FOR ME is still underrated! People on this site act like averaging 28-30 PPG and 7-9 rebounds year after year ISNT impressive! Sure there are levels to greatness…. But u gotta look at the teams these guys played on!

it's impressive. More impressive than Dantley or English? Probably not. Certainly no where near Drexler

[Xiao Yao You]

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! Nique never played with an HOF caliber guy in the prime of their career! When MJ retired for baseball, Nique had the Hawks first in the East halfway through the year. WITHOUT an HOF type guy around him. The Hawks traded him for Manning! And we see what happened!!! The heat some phenomenal scorers catch JUST because they arent great all around players is baffling!

the heat comes from the hype. He was hyped with the best players in the game in the 80's much like Carmelo was later. When in reality they were just high scoring small forwards and others did it better

[bizil]

it's impressive. More impressive than Dantley or English? Probably not. Certainly no where near Drexler

I NEVER said Nique was better than Drexler. But I know one thing for sure.... I would FEAR Nique scoring the rock more than Drexler. Clyde was a great scorer no doubt about it. But I would fear Nique a bit more. And I know Nique is gonna hit the glass at a very good to GREAT clip at the SF. Like Drexler did at the SG. It's funny how people think Nique was overhyped. LMAO!! When was Nique considered BETTER on the grand scale than MJ, Magic, Bird, Isiah, and Drexler back in the day. WHEN all were in their primes????

Thing is Nique was considered among the TOP THREE more feared perimeter players in the league at one point. Right there with MJ and Bird. MJ and Bird WOULD TELL YOU THAT THEMSELVES!!! Bird in his book PRAISED Nique! MJ on his Come Fly With Me VHS said Nique was the top player he got up for the most to play. From there, Nique was one of the most marketable stars in the league. When u factor the VHS tapes, Slam Dunk Contest, All Star Games, posters, etc., Nique was among the top 5-6 stars in the league for that shit!

Sorry I aint going for the Nique slander on here! To simply PIGEONHOLE him as a black hole scorer and nothing else more ain't right!!! Did a lot for the league, was a great player for a long ass time, redefined freak athletic ability in the league, and elevated the Hawks to heights WHERE IT CAN BE SAID they overachieved! Look at their roster!

Yet Nique willed them to four straight 50 win seasons. Damn near bounced Boston in 88. And had the Hawks first in the East when they made the dumb ass decision to trade him. Nique scored more career points THAN ANY SF ever until Bron passed him by. Big O, Kobe, Mailman, and Kareem lead their respective positions. THATS the level of dominance and longevity Nique was on.