All-Time Matchup Thread

[BringTheHeat]

Re: All-Time Matchup Thread

that's a fair enough assessment. I went with 'Zo for his offensive game, and I see them as equal defenders; Zo may even have been better on-ball.


I think I have to go Carmelo Anthony because he is, at this point, a more well-rounded player, and his career is still only about half way over.

Tim Duncan vs Kevin McHale

Have to agree with both of these. Carmelo's face up post game is just deadly, a joy to watch as well.

Yikes..Duncan or McHale:

Offense: Duncan is one of the most impressive big men the league has ever seen, facing up or backing down. He can shoot the long ball if he needs to, but isn't consistent enough to be a threat. His bank shots are absolutely money.

I'm going to be a little biased here because McHale is my second favorite player ever. However, McHale was absolutely unstoppable in the post, I wish every big man had the footwork, agility, and post moves Kevin did. As mentioned above, that's one of (the only) reasons I like to watch Carmelo play, he has so many post moves it reminds me somewhat of how McHale would give 3 fakes and still get an easy shot. Double teamed, triple teamed, didn't matter. Put 'em in the Torture Chamber. Advantage: McHale

Defense: Duncan has the best post defense I've ever seen. He's a very fundamental player (hence the name) and is a very smart player. He has the power to hold back bigger guys or at least stop them until a double can come. Him and McHale both play like they're at least 7 feet tall. No need to talk about McHale here as he simply did what Duncan does now, but Duncan does it better. Advantage: Duncan

Overall If McHale had started more and avoided injuries, I'd give the edge to McHale here but I feel like Duncan is one of, if not the best PF to ever play. Edge: Duncan

Next one up: Westbrook and Kevin Johnson.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: All-Time Matchup Thread

Alright so sorry to bump this up but after watching the Dallas Miami game tonight I have to get your opinions on what they were talking about. As far as a shooter, who's better, Larry Legend or Dirk?

[st0rmb11]

Re: All-Time Matchup Thread

Alright so sorry to bump this up but after watching the Dallas Miami game tonight I have to get your opinions on what they were talking about. As far as a shooter, who's better, Larry Legend or Dirk?

Yeah, I heard that discussion going on, as well.

Bird shot a higher percentage for his career, but as they mentioned, he's taken a lot more threes. However, the Dirk has a higher 3-point percentage, so I have a hard time thinking that the amount of three pointers attempted really hurts his overall field goal percent enough to have him nearly 3% behind Bird overall.

I'm going to say, from a flat out, stand still and shoot the ball perspective - man, I don't know..haha. That's a tough call. Bird has a higher free throw percentage, but he took 2,000 less (which really pisses me off and goes to show how much the league babies the stars, these days.). Still, if I take off Nowitzki's last 2,000 free throws, Bird has a higher percentage, and I don't know that there is really a better indicator of who is a better flat out shooter than a free throw. It's just you, the ball, and the rim..all you have to do is shoot it. So, I guess I'll say Bird.

Now, from an all-around stand point - it's not even close; Larry Bird takes it, easily.

[AlexBrady]

Re: All-Time Matchup Thread

Alright so sorry to bump this up but after watching the Dallas Miami game tonight I have to get your opinions on what they were talking about. As far as a shooter, who's better, Larry Legend or Dirk?

Nowitzki is the far more consistent perimeter shooter. Bird has the slightest of edges at the free throw line. Bird was always an erratic perimeter shooter, until the game was on the line and he usually went on a tear. Up until his playoff performance last year, Nowitzki was always iffy in the clutch.
I would give Nowitzki the considerable shooting edge overall.