Would you rather win in your prime or have the last laugh?

[iamgine]

Superstar player A is a bitter rival with superstar player B. Absolutely hate each other. In their peak/prime, player A beat player B in the finals twice.

They met again in the finals twice when they're both older and more of 2nd-3rd option veteran leader (think '06 Miami Shaq). This time, player B beat player A.

They retire soon after.

Say they had similar level teammates during all this, which one do you prefer? Win in your prime like player A or have the last laugh like player B?

[Full Court]

Last laugh for sure. You always want to go out winning.

[rmt]

Superstar player A is a bitter rival with superstar player B. Absolutely hate each other. In their peak/prime, player A beat player B in the finals twice.

They met again in the finals twice when they're both older and more of 2nd-3rd option veteran leader (think '06 Miami Shaq). This time, player B beat player A.

They retire soon after.

Say they had similar level teammates during all this, which one do you prefer? Win in your prime like player A or have the last laugh like player B?

Definitely, in their prime - that counts more than at the tail end of their careers (gravy/cherry on top) eg. Duncan and 2014 - although if it were 2013, it would have meant an extra FMVP.

[guy]

Easily win in your prime. Not even sure how this is a discussion. If Karl Malone on the Lakers beat Michael Jordan on the Wizards in the finals, no one in their right mind would think its anywhere close to when Jordan beat him in 97 and 98.

[Wally450]

Prime definitely. People praise Kareem's younger years in Milwaukee more than when he was on the Lakers even though he was still a vital piece.

[Im Still Ballin]

Prime

[SouBeachTalents]

Easily win in your prime. Not even sure how this is a discussion. If Karl Malone on the Lakers beat Michael Jordan on the Wizards in the finals, no one in their right mind would think its anywhere close to when Jordan beat him in 97 and 98.
This is the perfect example to give, and shows how idiotic OP's question is :lol

[Charlie Sheen]

I do not think it is accurate to say Shaq was a 2nd-3rd option veteran leader for that Miami ring.

[SouBeachTalents]

I do not think it is accurate to say Shaq was a 2nd-3rd option veteran leader for that Miami ring.
Remove the 3rd option part what would your objection be to that? He was the veteran 2nd option on that team, unless you object to the leader part.

[Charlie Sheen]

Remove the 3rd option part what would your objection be to that? He was the veteran 2nd option on that team, unless you object to the leader part.

Primarily within the context of this thread I dont agree Shaq had exited his prime that season.

Second option can take on a lot of different meanings. One of them is being carried. The way people use it against Pippen and Kobe.

[Jasper]

Prime

ditto

[ArbitraryWater]

Prime, easy.


But its an interesting question if construed differently.

[Axe]

It's funny if you get the last laugh against a perennial nemesis only because he/they became depleted after dominating h2h in many years.