Big Man debate

[fitzhickey]

Me and some friends were talking about this, and we couldn't really come to a clear conclusion. Personally I would take Hakeem.

What about you guys?

[TwinTower14]

No Shaq? It's KG for me, doesn't need the ball to be the best player on the floor and his leadership is through the roof.

[fitzhickey]

No Shaq? It's KG for me, doesn't need the ball to be the best player on the floor and his leadership is through the roof.

Knew I'd forgotten someone. I think that Hakeem provides a similar defensive presence, with a much more complete offence

[TwinTower14]

No Shaq? It's KG for me, doesn't need the ball to be the best player on the floor and his leadership is through the roof.

Knew I'd forgotten someone. I think that Hakeem provides a similar defensive presence, with a much more complete offence

My buddies and I always debate Shaq vs Dream. Really tough call there....

[Mr October]

Kareem and it's not close. His scoring was unreal.

6 MVPs
6 championships
All time leading scorer, and by a wide margin
19 time all star, 15 all nba
11 time all defense

And remember that in the 80s, when most people saw him, he was on the downside of his career, and still dominant. In his prime he regularly put up 30 and 15.

[Mr October]

No Shaq? It's KG for me, doesn't need the ball to be the best player on the floor and his leadership is through the roof.

Knew I'd forgotten someone. I think that Hakeem provides a similar defensive presence, with a much more complete offence

My buddies and I always debate Shaq vs Dream. Really tough call there....

Shaq and Hakeem lose points for me because they were only at the height of their powers for 3-5 years.

[Surferdad]

No Wilt or Russell, eh?  Then there's the next tier which in my mind includes Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, George Mikan. Ah, the days of the dominant big man...

[Mr October]

No Wilt or Russell, eh?  Then there's the next tier which in my mind includes Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, George Mikan. Ah, the days of the dominant big man...

I too was wondering why Russell and Wilt weren't on there. I think the all time big man debate is between Wilt, Russell and Kareem.

[Donoghus]

From this poll?  Kareem.

Guy had probably the most unstoppable shot in the history of basketball.  Ridiculous rebounder & shot blocker. 

[fitzhickey]

No Wilt or Russell, eh?  Then there's the next tier which in my mind includes Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, George Mikan. Ah, the days of the dominant big man...

I too was wondering why Russell and Wilt weren't on there. I think the all time big man debate is between Wilt, Russell and Kareem.

These are just the guys my friends and I had talked about. I mentioned Russell but got shot down on that. As we're only 15-18 years old they don't really appreciate (for lack of better word) the older guys.

[Surferdad]

No Wilt or Russell, eh?  Then there's the next tier which in my mind includes Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, George Mikan. Ah, the days of the dominant big man...

I too was wondering why Russell and Wilt weren't on there. I think the all time big man debate is between Wilt, Russell and Kareem.

Agreed but there is a good case for Hakeem in that group.

Also in the second tier is Wes Unseld.

[Roy H.]

Kareem > Duncan > Hakeem > Shaq > KG > Dirk

#2 through #5 are very close, though.

[Mr October]

No Wilt or Russell, eh?  Then there's the next tier which in my mind includes Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, George Mikan. Ah, the days of the dominant big man...

I too was wondering why Russell and Wilt weren't on there. I think the all time big man debate is between Wilt, Russell and Kareem.

These are just the guys my friends and I had talked about. I mentioned Russell but got shot down on that. As we're only 15-18 years old they don't really appreciate (for lack of better word) the older guys.

You guys need to have a highlights night and catch up on these guys. I too was too young to see them play. The stuff I have seen since is amazing. And the stories from other Nba players and writers are also impressive.

Imagine what those guys could have done with today's medical and training science, chartered flights, cushy hotels, and better shoes! lol

Check out Russell's speed and athleticism in this clip. And he was a center! That YouTube user has a ton of other great old time game clips. "the wilt chamberlain archive"

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/21767116/video-bill-russell-jumps-a-defender-from-near-the-free-throw-line

[Mr October]

Kareem > Duncan > Hakeem > Shaq > KG > Dirk

#2 through #5 are very close, though.

Spot on order. dirk's defense keeps him at the end of the line.

[Surferdad]

From this poll?  Kareem.

Guy had probably the most unstoppable shot in the history of basketball.  Ridiculous rebounder & shot blocker.

Definitely!  Kareem's sky-hook was money like nothing else to ever come along in the NBA. Just automatic, and everybody knew it was coming when he got the ball in the post.