Something new to follow for the basketball junkies. http://www.backpicks.com/2017/12/11/the-backpicks-goat-the-40-best-careers-in-nba-history/ Its a slow release over the next couple of months, but the guy has an impressive methodology. Here was his first profile on Wilt Chamberlain http://www.backpicks.com/2017/12/04/backpicks-goat-9-wilt-chamberlain/
I bought his book Thinking Basketball a few weeks ago. It's pretty good. Will be especially appreciated by those who like thinking about basketball from a more analytical perspective, and aren't turned off by sports perspectives that go against the grain.
I'm really curious to see how he ranks Hakeem relative to other superstar centers he faced up against.
Bump. Really enjoying this series. Reggie Miller in at 29 is a surprise. He makes a good case that he was actually underrated, not overrated which I think is a more popular sentiment these days. http://www.backpicks.com/2018/01/18/backpicks-goat-29-reggie-miller/
I'm excited to see where his system ranks Bill Russell. I imagine his ranking's range is greater than any other remaining player's. However, I have to think that his defensive impact will rank much higher than any other based on whatever analysis he can make off of the limited statistics available from that era. I expect his impact on offense will be much greater than his basic stats, as well, but that belief isn't as strong.
It'll be interesting to see: Shaq/Hakeem/Robinson: I think Robinson will be higher than he typically gets ranked (will make top 20), and Hakeem will be lower than usual (outside top 10). I wouldn't be shocked to see Robinson with a better ranking than Hakeem. With Wilt, Magic, and Bird at 9-11, Shaq has to be in the top 5. Barkley/Garnett/Malone/Duncan: Barkley probably ranks as the best offensive player, but the defensive impact of Garnett and Duncan will put them ahead. Steve Nash: Led some of the best offenses ever seen, for two different teams. Rodman: I think he makes the list. 13-15 is Kobe's territory.
Thanks for posting this...I think. I just lost a couple of hours down the rabbit hole after reading about Moses, which led me to Basketball Reference for a refresher of who else was on that '81 team, which then proceeded to a a year by year look at the Rockets roster, damn that '85/'86 roster was a dynasty inn the making, which led to multiple jump offs for whatever happened to so and so, which led to why did we ever let that guy go, to why did we ever sign that guy, to why didn't we ever surround Yao with real talent, to whatever happened to Damn Langhi, and then I look up and it's nearly 3 o'clock...yeah, thanks for posting this...I think.
As someone who just recently posted a somewhat lengthy post about Reggie Miller being overrated, I liked reading this. I think he has Miller too high due to his emphasis on longevity; there are probably going to be several guys behind him on the rankings I would rank higher due to a better peak. But overall, I'm going to say I was largely wrong about Miller and he's probably deserving of Top 40-50 status.
the best career is the maloney who is still getting paid by the rockets some 30 years after his short playing days.
