Which player in NBA history played at the highest level over his stats?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I agree on Manu. He was consistently the best player on the court, even if the stats didn't always show it.

If all the best players were standing in front of me for a pickup game, I'd seriously consider picking Manu, even though his stats weren't at the level of Lebron, etc.

[Somebody]

To me it is Manu, and I don't find anyone else particularly close.

I agree on Manu. He was consistently the best player on the court, even if the stats didn't always show it.

If all the best players were standing in front of me for a pickup game, I'd seriously consider picking Manu, even though his stats weren't at the level of Lebron, etc.

Really? To me he was a perennial All-NBA player in his 5-7 year stretch.

[Roy H.]

To me it is Manu, and I don't find anyone else particularly close.

I agree on Manu. He was consistently the best player on the court, even if the stats didn't always show it.

If all the best players were standing in front of me for a pickup game, I'd seriously consider picking Manu, even though his stats weren't at the level of Lebron, etc.

Really? To me he was a perennial All-NBA player in his 5-7 year stretch.

Can you imagine Manu playing next to Giannis? With Karl Malone and Alonzo?  Tatum and Derek Rose off the bench?  GOAT team.

🤣

[DefenseWinsChamps]

To me it is Manu, and I don't find anyone else particularly close.

I agree on Manu. He was consistently the best player on the court, even if the stats didn't always show it.

If all the best players were standing in front of me for a pickup game, I'd seriously consider picking Manu, even though his stats weren't at the level of Lebron, etc.

Really? To me he was a perennial All-NBA player in his 5-7 year stretch.

Can you imagine Manu playing next to Giannis? With Karl Malone and Alonzo?  Tatum and Derek Rose off the bench?  GOAT team.

🤣

Lol. Let it go. I'm not sure even Manu Ginobli could find lanes to drive through with that floor spacing.

[blink]

I agree with the lot of you that says Manu and Duncan.  I had to pick one so I picked Duncan.

[Moranis]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

[liam]

I picked Russell but why is Bird not on this list?

[gouki88]

I picked Russell but why is Bird not on this list?

I think Birds box numbers at his peak accurately reflect his impact. 28/10/7 with 2 steals a game and 50/40/90 shooting. Those are very very gaudy numbers, and all on elite teams

[Somebody]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

Not sure where did you get this conclusion, but thanks for your slash line input

[gouki88]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

Not sure where did you get this conclusion, but thanks for your slash line input

Probably inferred it from DWC's comments about Manu oft being the best guy on the court and the one about potentially picking Manu over guys like LBJ

[Somebody]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

Not sure where did you get this conclusion, but thanks for your slash line input

Probably inferred it from DWC's comments about Manu oft being the best guy on the court and the one about potentially picking Manu over guys like LBJ

Oh lol. Well NBA basketball is not about pickup games so I don't understand the vitriol directed at the comment.

[liam]

I picked Russell but why is Bird not on this list?

I think Birds box numbers at his peak accurately reflect his impact. 28/10/7 with 2 steals a game and 50/40/90 shooting. Those are very very gaudy numbers, and all on elite teams

Gaudy numbers yes but his effect on the game was much more than those numbers. The leadership and confidence he gave team mates and his all-out hustle in every game he played in.

[gouki88]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

Not sure where did you get this conclusion, but thanks for your slash line input

Probably inferred it from DWC's comments about Manu oft being the best guy on the court and the one about potentially picking Manu over guys like LBJ

Oh lol. Well NBA basketball is not about pickup games so I don't understand the vitriol directed at the comment.

Oh yeah, no doubt. Wouldn't even be close to the most out-there take I've seen here

[Androslav]

Homer pick, but I believe that Tony Kukoč's contributions playing winning basketball didn't get their merit stats-wise.
In his first 14 pro years (he became pro at 16), playing for Jugoplastika, Benetton, NT and NBA he always played on a winner, almost all were champions, finalists, or medals bearers.
And it wasn't a Robert Horry kind of thing, he was a leader on most of his teams. On historic bulls teams, he was a legit 3rd option.
According to Phil, he was the 2nd option in late-game must score situations, just after MJ.
Kukoč's passing, his hockey assists, his understanding of the game, and his intangibles were off the charts.
Using Ben Falk's terminology, his scaleability was excellent, meaning he could play with basically anyone, in any era, would mesh well, and contribute on any team. Great passing skills, outside shooting, ballhandling, and good to great size along with a strong mentality and ingrained professionalism do that.

[Somebody]

Manu was better than Duncan.  I've now heard everything.

Not sure where did you get this conclusion, but thanks for your slash line input

Probably inferred it from DWC's comments about Manu oft being the best guy on the court and the one about potentially picking Manu over guys like LBJ

Oh lol. Well NBA basketball is not about pickup games so I don't understand the vitriol directed at the comment.

Oh yeah, no doubt. Wouldn't even be close to the most out-there take I've seen here

Ikr lol. Plenty of hot takes in here on this forum, including some from me that are even more out there.