Most Valuable Players
Top Tier - LeBron James + Kevin Garnett + Magic Johnson + Michael Jordan
Second Tier - Shaquille O'Neal + David Robinson
Tim Duncan + Hakeem Olajuwon
I think those are the players who are the most valuable players in this game. Those are the guys who can cause huge matchup advantages for their teams + are capable of thoroughly dominating a game in many different ways.
Kobe doesn't make this list?
Nope, next tier down.
I do have Kobe Bryant ranked as the top two guard in the Western Conference though.
I am interested in your criteria for the Tiers..
Everyone in the second tier was a Nightmare to go up against in their heyday.
Maybe David Robinson would remain in the 2nd tier? IMO, he had Duncan to enhance his presence on the floor.
But Shaq? Hakeem? IMO surely 1st tiers, especially in their prime. Shaq was nearly unstoppable, with maybe Ben Wallace being able to slow him down in that 2004-05 Finals. Odd thing is that prior to that Finals, Shaq demolished everyone else, including Ben Wallace.
Shaq VS Hakeem? Roughly a Tie. Only saving grace Hakeem could use against Shaq was his quickness.
Maybe Shaq started his slow decline with that 2004-05 series? I don't know.
Hakeem? Man could hit mid-range jumpers..was unstoppable in the post. Kobe stole his Shake and Bake from Hakeem. I know there was mention of Rodman slowing him down in stretches, but in my memory Hakeem was a Terror..offensively and defensively.
Hakeem could guard almost anyone is his prime - his footwork was that good.
At least that is my memory of Hakeem and Shaq.