[WannaBeLikeMike]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

There is a pitcher/batter named Ruth, a hockey player named Gretzky, a soccer player named Pele'...an all around (three major sports) guy named Thorpe and a few others who might beg to differ...

As for role model?...The dude was in a few headline making gambling stories...is going through a divorce now...shouldn't Saint him jsut yet.

Got to agree with the man...phuck, even Carl Lewis was better at Track and Field. But as for the guys mentioned...Barkley, Drexler, Magic, Isiah, Shaq, Reggie, Ewing, Mourning, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Dominique, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dumars. Jordan beat all these guys in the playoffs. Go look at a picture of the Dream Team sometime, on that list you will find only two people that Jordan didn't beat in the playoffs...Scottie Pippen for obvious reasons, and David Robinson because he never got to the finals against Jordan.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by americanwit

I can't believe no one is talking about Russell. Or what about the Dr. He changed the game of basketball more than anyone. He is more responsible for todays game than Michael did. Michael took it to another level no doubt, but Michael was influenced by the Dr. and what he did for basketball.

You're totally right americanwit. I had brainlock. When I was answering my response, I knew I was missing someone. Russell HAS to be on the list.

Okay, here are my best 5.

PG-Magic
SG-Jordan
F-Russell
F-Bird
C- Jabbar

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

You're totally right americanwit. I had brainlock. When I was answering my response, I knew I was missing someone. Russell HAS to be on the list.

Okay, here are my best 5.

PG-Magic
SG-Jordan
F-Russell
F-Bird
C- Jabbar

You are playing Russell at foward?...oh brother...the man was twice the center that Jabbar was...Jabbar couldn't even handle Cowen in his prime...

[MJHMarc]

Russell was 100% defense, but 0% offense!

I'd either put him at C, or PF (depending on whether or not Wilt is on my team)

[WannaBeLikeMike]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

You are playing Russell at foward?...oh brother...the man was twice the center that Jabbar was...Jabbar couldn't even handle Cowen in his prime...

The Dark Knight is correct...thought that we were talking about only the greatest player of all time, but if it's Top 5 starters...

1-Magic
2-Michael
3-Baylor
4-Wilt
5-Russell

[WannaBeLikeMike]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

You are playing Russell at foward?...oh brother...the man was twice the center that Jabbar was...Jabbar couldn't even handle Cowen in his prime...

Serioulsy Pundit, I've read some of your posts here and you don't seem to be stupid, but how is Wilt Chamberlain not on your starting 5...are you crazy??

[MJHMarc]

He must be crazy.

Wilt is number one, or at least number 2.

[bresilhac]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

This whole discussion is arguable.

Duncan doesn't deserve to be on that list, so take him off immediately!

I hope your joking...

[bresilhac]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Stockton over Magic at PG? No way. And what about Cousy? And I would take Oscar Robertson over Stockton, also.
Agree with Jordan
Olajuwan was great, but not in Jabbar's league.
Bird - agree.
Duncan? Maybe but arguable.

I added that I cannot comment on players I did not see play regularly and over entire careers. And I didn't want to base my opinions on a few highlight reels and what some other fans might have said about how good the old timers were. So given that those were my selections. Magic was truly a sensational guard but not the best. If you take away the Championships Stockton beats him hands down and is a sure hall of famer. Plus I hate the Lakers and anyone associated with them so I'm a little biased. Duncan arguable? Who's better? Malone, McHale, Elvin Hayes? Those guys were all great but cannot compare to the feats of Duncan. Check the stats.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by WannaBeLikeMike

Serioulsy Pundit, I've read some of your posts here and you don't seem to be stupid, but how is Wilt Chamberlain not on your starting 5...are you crazy??

Because Chamberlain disappeared in the big game. That's why. Check out the videotapes of his performance in the '69 & 72 championship series, playing against a crippled center who was 6 inches smaller. He was awful and his foul shooting made Shaq look like Rick Barry.

All the players that I put on my top 5 at one point or another, took their team on their back to win a title. When did Wilt ever do that? NEVER.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

I am the first to say I am the biggest Jordan hater of all-time. I couldn't stand the guy. Every time he stepped on the court I didn't want them to just lose, I wanted them to be humiliated.

That said, I don't see how people can't go for Jordan in this instance. I understand the desire to go against the grain, but I just can't see it. The man took the term clutch to a new level. Not only did he dominate, but he did it as a perimeter player in a big man league. People truly don't understand how tough it was and still is to win without any presence whatsoever inside. He single-handedly knockedout some of the best big men of all-time. No disrespect to Wilt, but he isn't in the same class.

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

There has never been a player of Wilt's equal...the man could run a 440 in 49 minutes, high jump 7 feet...throw the shot, dominate in basketball, was outstanding at volleyball...no one like him...What did his Airness hit in the major leagues?

With all due respect GDK, I don't see the relevance to the discussion. It doesn't matter what Wilt did in track and field, nor does it matter what Jordan did in baseball. What matters is what the players did on the hardwood and Jordan has got him beat in that arena.

[WannaBeLikeMike]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Because Chamberlain disappeared in the big game. That's why. Check out the videotapes of his performance in the '69 & 72 championship series, playing against a crippled center who was 6 inches smaller. He was awful and his foul shooting made Shaq look like Rick Barry.

All the players that I put on my top 5 at one point or another, took their team on their back to win a title. When did Wilt ever do that? NEVER.

For one, we're talking about one great team...how would you not want 50.4 and 27 reb per game on your team...you've got the leaders in Russell, Magic and Jordan. And as for the '69 series he wanted to comeback in the game, during game 7, but Sharman told him to sit down because we can win without you and we all know how that turned out. And as for '72 he was avg. under his career avg's in every statistical category and he was 35 yrs. old playing against on of the greats at that time that was ten years his younger. 30.1 pts. and 24 reb per game for his career, and you don't put him in on your roster?!? As for not doing it by himself, remember he won a title in '67 and averaged 24 and 24 per game that year while leading his team in pts., assts., rebs., min. played...yeah doesn't sound like he carried that team to me!

As for not caring a team on his back...When did Kareem ever win a title without a hall of famer, oscar in milwaukee...magic and worthy in LA/ Russell played with a whole team of hall of famers during his career...Michael had scottie/ Bird had mchale and parrish...Read some of the history of the game before you start spouting of B/S!

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by bresilhac

I added that I cannot comment on players I did not see play regularly and over entire careers. And I didn't want to base my opinions on a few highlight reels and what some other fans might have said about how good the old timers were. So given that those were my selections. Magic was truly a sensational guard but not the best. If you take away the Championships Stockton beats him hands down and is a sure hall of famer. Plus I hate the Lakers and anyone associated with them so I'm a little biased. Duncan arguable? Who's better? Malone, McHale, Elvin Hayes? Those guys were all great but cannot compare to the feats of Duncan. Check the stats.

As a Lakers fan, I don't respect Tim Duncan.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

As a Lakers fan, I don't respect Tim Duncan.

And Why is that?...he is a major talent...don't have to like him ot respect him...

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by WannaBeLikeMike

For one, we're talking about one great team...how would you not want 50.4 and 27 reb per game on your team...you've got the leaders in Russell, Magic and Jordan. And as for the '69 series he wanted to comeback in the game, during game 7, but Sharman told him to sit down because we can win without you and we all know how that turned out. And as for '72 he was avg. under his career avg's in every statistical category and he was 35 yrs. old playing against on of the greats at that time that was ten years his younger. 30.1 pts. and 24 reb per game for his career, and you don't put him in on your roster?!? As for not doing it by himself, remember he won a title in '67 and averaged 24 and 24 per game that year while leading his team in pts., assts., rebs., min. played...yeah doesn't sound like he carried that team to me!

As for not caring a team on his back...When did Kareem ever win a title without a hall of famer, oscar in milwaukee...magic and worthy in LA/ Russell played with a whole team of hall of famers during his career...Michael had scottie/ Bird had mchale and parrish...Read some of the history of the game before you start spouting of B/S!

By the time, Jabbar got to the Bucks, Oscar Robertson was far past his prime at that point...Look, I'm not trying to knock Chaimberlain, but I just rather have Jabbar on my team in a big game. That's just my opinion.

And MJH? Why don't you respect Duncan? He has not only been the best player in the game over the last decade but he's a classy guy. I could see you not liking him because you're a Lakers fan, but how can you not respect the guy?