Take his team to the playoffs with no real second scoring option? McGrady and Kobe are two of less than ten players in NBA history to average 30, 6, and 5 in a season (02-03). (AI and Pierce haven't). McGrady has led his team in scoring, assists, and steals (and nearly in blocks and rebounds) over the past 2 (and nearly the past 4) seasons. McGrady and Bryant have also dominated the all-NBA teams. Last year, Bryant was first, and McGrady second team despite his worst season since coming to Orlando. The previous two years, they were both first team. Iverson hasn't seen first team since 2001, and Pierce has yet to crack even the second team. McGrady has a higher career FG% (44.7) than Pierce and Iverson, and better career 3Pt% (35.4) than Bryant and Iverson.
Pierce did that last season, and AI took his team to the Finals without a real second scoring option, Tracy had his best second scoring option last season and his team stunk. I'm sure AI has done something that less than ten players have done in NBA history, won't try and dig it up though, I'm not sure if Kobe ever averaged 30. AI has done that, Bryant has more than likely done that, Pierce probably did that last season, I'll look up stats later. AI has as much if not more first teams than McGrady, same goes for second teams. Pierce doesn't really have that yet, but like I said before you could flip flop those two with no argument from me. Anyway my point was success outside of individual accomplishments, the talent levels aren't that far apart so all that's left are things like team success and defense, Kobe, AI, and Pierce top Tracy in both those categories.
He did in the 2002-2003 season, averaging 30.0 ppg. & even if T-mac wasnt with the ROX, i would NEVER put him behind AI and Pierce!
You mean the Celtics impressive 36-46 season, making them the worst team to qualify for the playoffs in years? True, but he did have Ricky Davis scoring 14 a game. Oh touche! And '02-03. If AI did, it wasn't in the past three years. Ditto for Pierce. Let me know once you've looked it up. He has the same: 2. Once in 99, once in 01. Not since. Are we talking all time or today? Wanna bet whether Iverson or McGrady will get the third first-team nod first? As far as team success, isn't that biasing towards the better roster? Pierce has hardly kept the C's competitive w/o Walker, unless a 0.439 team impresses you. The Sixers have only one single 50-win season with Iverson on board. Is that a benchmark of success? Were the Lakers dominant because of Kobe, or because they paired him with O'Neal? We'll find out soon. Except for last year, the Magic have been 0.500 or better with McGrady. As for defense, it's tough to say that any of these four are anything but above average (better or worse). Hardly any can be called a shut-down guy, but none are swinging-doors. Iverson is annually high up in steals, Pierce and Kobe are strong one-on-one stoppers when they want to be, and McGrady is a dangerous weak-side blocker and steals guy (again, when he wants to be). Evan
I'd take Juwon Howard over Ricky Davis... AI was .1 assists away from doing that last season... Pierce was .2 asssists away from doing that last season too... I was off by a few % points, but I did it without peaking, I should of made sure though. Talking all time it isn't even close, AI is a former MVP and a Hall of Famer already, Tracy has a ways to go. Today I'd still take AI over him. I don't think either make any more first teams, but I'll still take that bet. Not really. Pierce had less to work with last season and still made the playoffs, he's also been to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers would of made the playoffs last season if AI was healthy, I'm not sure if he's ever been knocked out of the 1st round while Tracy hasn't made it out of the 1st round. No Kobe and the Lakers win ONE title. Kobe has made the All Defensive teams multiple times already. AI isn't really known as a shut down defender, then again can anyone remember seeing him get abused? Pierce tries to play defense and that already says more than what you can say for Tracy. Something else that I haven't mentioned is the clutch factor: Kobe is the most clutch player in the NBA, AI is second, Pierce is probably top 5, I think he usually leads the league in 4th quarter scoring. The best thing you can say about Tracy is that he isn't a choke artist.
I noticed you didn't want to comment on this..... As far as your other points, fair enough. We'll agree to see things differently. Evan
And that is my point exactly. I agree that he is the strongest and probebly the most all around athletic guard in the league. But is he a true Shooting Guard? I personaly don't think he is a natural Shooting Guard.
