I know the league has been in a bit of a recession since "Money" retired(the first time, not the second) but the talent pool of the NBA seems to be at a level we haven't seen in years. Think about it. McGrady is the "Iceman", so cool and calm that the sweat is almost nonexistent. He makes the game look so easy. However, like Gervin, his defense is almost nonexistent. Wade is Isiah, tough, mentally and physically, without the long range game(I believe he's something like 5-19 from 3 this year) but blessed with the beautiful court vision and an above the rim game Isiah never had. Amare, he could be Worthy without the midrange game(which he has improved as of late), but the speed, the size, and the athlectism are all there. Nowitzki, he may be the closest thing we have to Bird, minus the killer instinct and superb defense(improving) and the ever important intense on the court leadership so this comparison may be a slight stretch. The length and the killer jumpshot are all there though, along with the rebounding. Big Ben is a combination. The heart and desire of a Moses Malone, the rebounding and toughness of a Wes Unseld and maybe a few flashes of Russell thrown in for good measure. Kobe, hard to say, but as of now he's the closest thing to MJ that we got. It remains to be seen if this one holds up(a few more rings would do the trick). Carter is Dominique, minus the heart and at times the desire to play hard. He is still a showman in the same vein as Wilkins. Brand may be Barkley without the flashiness and the attitude. He could also be Malone(Karl that is). His trusty midrange game could attest to that. Yao is a more talented Rik Smits. End of discussion. LeBron...another toughie. MJ isn't fair, their play styles are alot more different than people think. Magic maybe. Their body types are remarkably similar and they are both guys who love to share. I'm going to go with "O". Oscar Robertson, one the the top ten players of all time(opinion of course) stands as the only player ever to average a triple double for one season(30.8pts, 12.5rbs, 11.4asst). Am I staying that Lebron will ever average a triple double? No. Probably not in today's NBA. But I think LeBron typifies those kind of numbers(25pts, 7rbs, 7asst). I think LeBron is more a combination of both Magic and Oscar with a splash of MJ mixed in.
I think the league is in the early stages of a rebirth. The run and gun of the early 80's appears to be making a comeback. And if it weren't for guys like Mike Fratello(a great coach by the way), it would of never left.
I think the league is in the early stages of a rebirth. The run and gun of the early 80's appears to be making a comeback. And if it weren't for guys like Mike Fratello(a great coach by the way), it would of never left.
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