What made players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc. so great was not just because of their basketball talent and ability, but their killer drive, work ethic, and will to win. Many players in the past were in discussion of being one of the greatest players ever, but they unfortunately didn't reach their potential because the lack of their work ethic and motivation to be the best. My top 3 in no particular order: 1. Vince Carter: he was the complete package in terms of basketball talent/athleticism; great shooting range, tremendous athleticism, clutch, a good feel for the game, and the greatest dunker ever. 2. Tracy McGrady: his talents were off the charts; amazing court vision, gifted athlete, natural ability to score from anywhere whether it be in the post or out on the perimeter. 3. Rasheed Wallace: In Charles Barkley's own words, he could of been the greatest power forward ever if he had the drive to be the best. Great shooter for a big man, great post game, very great defender (one on one, rotations, team communication), and was very versatile for his size. Who makes your top list of "what could have been" players?
hmm i mean you already mentioned carter and mcgrady def stromile swift stanley roberts i guess you could say most labelled 'busts' eddy curry kwame brown guys who had it but lost it quickly because of vices: shawn kemp vin baker
Since when was Vince Carter "clutch"? If this guy is "clutch" then someone give Nick Andersen the MVP trophy. <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lQ6lvChs7To" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
1) TMAC - this guy had top 5 player talent written all over him. His 02-03 season was one of the greatest ever for a perimeter player (Kobe's best season couldn't match it statistically). Injuries, and lack of self discipline slowed him down. Still had 6-7 great prime years though. 2) Grant Hill - this guy could have gone down as a top 5 SF of all time had he stayed healthy. The guy was a triple double waiting to happen. Sad that he and TMAC couldn't make it work. 3) Vince Carter - self-explanatory. 4) Penny - could have been a perennial top 5 player throughout his career. I guess you forgot to watch his playoff performances in his Toronto days (when he was actually a superstar)--see his duel v. Allen Iverson.
the most obvious answer Michael Ray Richardson! <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GboGdbDsy5U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
That was a great series. I totally remember.. <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1WdBQjo5VH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> UN CLUTCH Robert Horry, Reggie miller, Jordan etc would have made that in their sleep
This thread was created to dote on Tracy Mcgrady. You rocket's fan love you some tracy mcgrady. Anyway: The correct answer is Derrick Coleman, obviously. Maybe Danny Manning can be in there also.
I guess CLUTCH means game-winners for you. Guess Kobe Bryant is NOT clutch then right? Go watch a basketball game and see what clutch is. Vince Carter scored like 2 50 point games in that series, and his battle vs AI was epic. Nobody said he was a legend or clutch like those guys, but the guy was clutch for most of his Toronto days.
Wrong. Wrong. That's just what Barkley said. Wrong. So damn overrated coming out of Kansas. It's freaking Michael Ray Richardson. You know his story right?
Come on dude, you know Kobe shouldn't be mentioned with Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady. I saw the entire freaking series, he was good, but my memories of his "clutchness" doesn't exists. I just remember all the dunks and him jacking up a bunch of 3s.
I was there. I didn't have to know what barkley said. Derrick Coleman was the most gifted pf, possibly ever, and he would coast through games and still put up monster numbers. Coleman is the epitome of unrealized greatness.
Please tinman, I'm sure you didn't watch that series if that is your claim. Vince averaged 30.4ppg, 6rpg, 5.6apg, 2bpg, 1.6spg in that 7 game series vs Philly. He was THE reason they were competitive vs a stifling defensive team like Philly. You're going to blame him for missing a game winner on the road vs the #1 seed in the East that year? You obviously didn't watch that series if all you think he did was dunk and jacked up 3s. The guy was all over the place. Good call what. I totally forgot about Coleman, as he is rarely brought up among these conversations. He was highly touted out of St John, and was pretty damn good in his first few years in the league. But for my standards, I only used guys who actually played at that superstar level, and had something gone wrong that derailed their careers, whatever that may be.
Michael Ray was mentioned with Magic and Michael Jordan. I know Coleman was talented. He was lazy and had bad work ethic. So that's a common theme. Michael Ray was awesome and then cocaine happened. He was so good they made a documentary out of it, Coleman didn't get one cause he was not in the same class as MRR
The "CLUTCH" guy is the guy who wins the games/series and CLUTCHNESS is defined in the playoffs. Find me the Vince Carter in the 60 Greatest Playoff moments videos.. Oh wait, it doesn't exist. <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7BZILE8KpN0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Vince Carter was a superstar for a few years. He led a Toronto team with Alvin Williams and Antonio Davis as his best running mates and was one shot from taking out the #1 seed in the East that year. Unfortunately, he couldn't able to reach his potential. There's a reason his name is mentioned in this thread. The guys who are legends in the playoffs are able to REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. But your bipolar side is coming out, so I'm going to stop.
I agree with you that he was a very good player, but you are throwing the word CLUTCH around like everybody has it. maybe it's me, but when the word CLUTCH in terms of basketball is given, I don't think of Vince Carter ... AT ALL. EVER. I think if Vince Carter provokes thoughts of Clutch in the NBA, then Scott Norwood does in the NFL and Bill Buckner does in baseball.
Vince Carter was clutch way back then. He just didn't play like he wanted to kill people like Kobe and Jordan. He also had absolute **** teams around him.
