Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
1. Oscar Robertson
2. Magic Johnson
3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Michael Jordan
5. Lebron James
6. Shaquille Oneal
7. Hakeem Olajuwon
8. Bill Russell
9. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
10. Larry Bird
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by EarlTheGoat
Shaquille O`Neal would be my first option. Cant think of a more dominant player and perfect for winning championship teams in the history of the game.
Then I would go with Jordan and Duncan would end my top-3 pick.
Shaq would be the last player I'd take.
The split second something goes wrong or it doesn't look like you're going to be a top contender he'd be out the door.
He's done it his entire career...
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
I wonder how many GM's, if all of these great players were in their primes, would bypass a player like Wilt in a hypothetical draft.
I look at the current NBA, and I am convinced that Lebron would be the first player taken in a draft, despite never having won a ring. I just can't fathom any GM bypassing Wilt, who absolutely dominated the NBA, and YET, could still adjust his game to his personnel...and taking someone like Bird or Hakeem, neither of whom could come close to what Chamberlain accomplished.
I could see possibly taking Russell, MJ, or Magic...but even then, I suspect, knowing what we know now...which is, Chamberlain could ROUTINELY put up a 40-30 game on Russell, that there would be many that would question the selection of those three over him.
My god...the greatest scorer, most efficient shooter, by far the best rebounder, the best passing center in NBA history, among the top-3 best defensive centers of all-time, probably the all-time best shot-blocker, and a player who anchored two of the greatest championship teams of all time (and who took those team's to convincing post-season runs over teams with more HOFers).... and a player who could take far inferior teams to within any eyelash of beating the greatest dynasty in NBA history on two occasions...
yep, I would love to listen to a GM explain why he didn't select Wilt over everyone else to his fan-base.
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlauber
I wonder how many GM's, if all of these great players were in their primes, would bypass a player like Wilt in a hypothetical draft.
I'm guessing any GM more concerned with winning championships than helping Wilt lead the league in <insert whatever statistic Wilt wants to whore this season>.
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdreason
I'm guessing any GM more concerned with winning championships than helping Wilt lead the league in <insert whatever statistic Wilt wants to whore this season>.
Well, we do know this much...Chamberlain took heavily outgunned teams to near titles, AND, very good rosters to record-breaking seasons.
Would you rather have a Hakeem, who played much worse in his 18 seasons, and only won two rings (in year's in which MJ either was rusty, or did not play at all)...and who guided his team's to EIGHT first round exits...or a Chamberlain, who OWNS the record book, anchored two of the greatest team's of all-time, went to six Finals, and 12 conference Finals (several with inferior teams)...in his 14 seasons.
Or a Bird who played on LOADED rosters in the decade of the 80's, and came away with three rings, and who had far worse post-seasons, and even worse Finals, than Chamberlain?
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Jordan.
And it's not even close really.
Dominant offensive player, dominant defensive player, dominant clutch player, and the biggest box office draw. Always in shape, remarkably injury resilient, tremendous competitive drive, never takes a night off.
Shaq, Kareem, Wilt, etc. all lost playoff series' where they were favored to win.
Jordan never did. Once Pippen became a solid no.2 option, no one could beat Jordan.
The nature of the big man is in a tight game, he simply can't control the game the same way a guard does, because the game is literally in their hands down the stretch.
Last edited by Soundwave : 12-15-2010 at 10:09 PM.
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soundwave
Jordan.
And it's not even close really.
Dominant offensive player, dominant defensive player, dominant clutch player, and the biggest box office draw. Always in shape, remarkably injury resilient, tremendous competitive drive, never takes a night off.
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you take?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlauber
Well, we do know this much...Chamberlain took heavily outgunned teams to near titles, AND, very good rosters to record-breaking seasons.
Would you rather have a Hakeem, who played much worse in his 18 seasons, and only won two rings (in year's in which MJ either was rusty, or did not play at all)...and who guided his team's to EIGHT first round exits...or a Chamberlain, who OWNS the record book, anchored two of the greatest team's of all-time, went to six Finals, and 12 conference Finals (several with inferior teams)...in his 14 seasons.
Or a Bird who played on LOADED rosters in the decade of the 80's, and came away with three rings, and who had far worse post-seasons, and even worse Finals, than Chamberlain?
I would pick the player dedicated to team success over personal success, even if that player wasn't quite as skilled or talented.
Re: If you had to start a franchise with any player in NBA history, who would you tak
