Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

[23]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Wade aint so bad but

TD

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Yea, Duncan would've been my first choice as well.

[Cebby]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Duncan is a "complete player"

If you judge by a standard that doesn't include Jordan, I'd put Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Kidd (counting his assists as indirect scoring) in.

[youvalss]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

You don't need to be that great of a player, you need good PR and a commissioner who tries to attract viewers no matter what.

David Stern - Where Rating Happens.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Jordan as a "shutdown" defender is overrated. Pippen always took the best offensive player, Rodman the 2nd, Harper the 3rd. Jordan was guarding the 4th best player each night.

I'd say Duncan was more "complete" than Jordan, as sacriligeous as that sounds.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Jordan separates himself from every other player because of his killer instinct in my opinion. I know that term is kinda thrown around recklessly lately but honestly, no team felt safe with any lead in an important game with Jordan on the other team and it seemed like he knew just when to press down on the throat of the opposing team. Just the mental edge he had on every other player was probably one of his greatest attributes. I don't feel the same way about Duncan. There's no sense of impending doom when my team is up on the Spurs by 6 or 8 that Duncan is gonna demand the ball and evaporate that lead in a few possessions. I do agree Duncan is probably the greatest player in the post-Jordan era but I don't think he's any more complete than Jordan because of that mental aspect.

[Muzyk23]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Ppl questioning Jordan as a complete player -

James has average handles and 3point shooting, isn't known for being clutch

Jordan knew the fundamentals of basketball better than Duncan does

[DC]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Of course not, and there never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever wiil be.

Ever.

Can we lock this now?

How can you even make a statement like this?

[Cebby]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

How can you even make a statement like this?

To the under 20 generation, Jordan will be replaced. To the older group (especially the 25-45), Jordan will never be surpassed partly because his legacy grows every day.

The other day, someone told me Jordan was a great 3 point shooter. I mean, you can't compete with a player when he's already the GOAT and people still want to give him more.

[DC]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

^ RIGHT! Everyone's legacy is surpassed once that generation dies off and a new star of the new generation emerges.

Wilt
Big O
Julius
Mike

It happens all of the time

Flair
Hogan
Rock/Cold

It happens all the time

Unitas
Montana
Manning/Brady

It happens all of the time

To say nobody will EVER (think about how long of a period of time that encompasses) surpass Jordan is outright foolish and generationally biased

[DakkoN]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Jordan as a "shutdown" defender is overrated. Pippen always took the best offensive player, Rodman the 2nd, Harper the 3rd. Jordan was guarding the 4th best player each night.

For the 3 years that squad was together maybe.. Jordan's best defensive years were behind him by then. His DPOY year, which was Pippen's rookie year, he averaged 35 points, 3.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, along with 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds, and guarded the best player every night. That kind of stat line just goes to show the complete player that MJ was.

[DC]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Yea people do love to inflate the "other" aspects of Jordan's game. His 3PT shooting especially.

[DW3]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

Kobe to me would be the closest, but Lebron is right there too. If he builds from this year, he will be the man. Lets see how he does in the playoffs.

[Joey P]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

In his prime, how can one doubt MJ.

95-96

72-10

32 years old

NBA League MVP
Led league in Scoring (30.4)
10th in 3pt shooting (.427)
FG% .495
Reb per Gm - 6.6
Ast per game - 4.3
Stls per game - 2.2

All while going 72-10...But alas, the same song plays on...

This is a different league today, no hard fouls, no lockdown, handcheckin abusive defense. Pansies

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Since MJ Left, Has There Really Been A COMPLETE Player In The League?

For the 3 years that squad was together maybe.. Jordan's best defensive years were behind him by then. His DPOY year, which was Pippen's rookie year, he averaged 35 points, 3.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, along with 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds, and guarded the best player every night. That kind of stat line just goes to show the complete player that MJ was.

He was a very good defender. Didn't say he wasn't a complete ballplayer. He was.

I'm saying he wasn't a shutdown guy. Duncan was more so on the defensive end. Jordan's defense was more spectacular. The steal, the weakside block. Things measurable on the stat sheet. Duncan was more subtle. Altering shots, positioning. That steadiness you see in his offensive game as well.

Jordan is the best player ever. But if we are talking completeness, who is the most well-rounded, I'd say Duncan. He would carry your offense & anchor your defense. Jordan was never asked to do that.