Who is the most complete player in the NBA? By "complete", I mean a player than can do it all: hit 3s, drive, dish and play defense. Some examples might be Tracy McGrady, Antoine Walker, Jason Kidd, etc. Personally I think McGrady is the most complete player in the NBA. He can drain the three (he has over 80 this season), he passes and sets his teammates up, and he is all over the floor on the defensive end. He also can drive and create contact? What else is there? I'm interested to hear your suggestions.
I would say defense is one of the main elements that determine completeness. Thus, Steve Francis has a long way to be considered complete. I would say T Mac, however I hate this punk.
Paul Pierce, not complete? Say what? All I know is that on my fantasy basketball league Pierce is ranked the NUMBER 1 player as far as racking up fantasy points. That may not say too much, but to be the best fantasy player in a fantasy league you have to put up good all around stats. Someone else who is one of the most complete players that noone is going to include: Brent Barry. Not at the same level as some of the other players, but I think I would vote him as one of the most underrated players in basketball. Take a look at his statline this season.
I'd vote: 1. McGrady 2. Kobe (Like him or not, you gotta admit he's awesome) 3. Franchise And for the headscratcher (and since I just posted on him in the Rocks forum ) 4. Andre Miller (Big knocks on him were that he couldn't shoot and he wasn't athletic enough... um, yeah. Players like Miller are why some scouts stay scouts.)
Not sure what all constitutes a complete player but here are my top 5 1. McGrady 2. Kobe 3. Payton 4. Duncan 5. Nowitzki
Just thought of a couple of others ... Anthony Mason - he can create his own shot in the post with his strength ala barkley, can run the offense, pass and dribble, rebound, and play great d. GP - no explanation needed.
I would rather have Shaq or Duncan than any of the "complete" players. However, using the criterion above (described by shooter), probably T Mac or Kobe is 1-2(not sure the order) is the most complete, followed not too far by Pierce. Dirk or Francis doesn't play D well enough and KG or Kidd isn't dominant enough offensively by the above complete criteria IMO. However because Wallace can hit three's OK and is good (not great) defensivey, he might be the 4th player by the above criteria. But I would rather have someone that does a few things great like Shaq, Duncan, Dirk or KG even if they have mild weaknesses according to the "complete" plater criteria, than "complete" players who are less than phenominal in any 1 area (Pierce, Wallace). Pierce is so complete and so excellent deciding between him and Francis or Kidd would be tough though.
Pierce isnt a complete player yet. He doesnt make others around him better yet. McGrady is a 5 stat player. Hes the most complete. But Garrnett is right there with him.
Doesn't improve his teammates? Last I checked Boston had the 3rd best record in the East and Boston's improvement over the last few years almost directly relates to Pierce's arrival and improvement. I wouldn't argue that he is better or more complete than KG, but there are not too many others better.
Nowitzki and Pierce have no business being among the top 5 complete players. Mainly defensively. Hell, his teammate Antoine Walker is much more of a complete player than Pierce. Nowitzki can be considered the WORST low-post defender in the NBA. It's one thing to suck as a man-to-man defender, but Nowitzki isn't good on help defense either, he blows so many assignments, that opposing teams rack up easy dunks/layups.
Steals per game Pierce > McGrady & Kobe Blocks per game Pierce > McGrady & Kobe Outside shooting Pierce > McGrady & Kobe Rebounds per game Pierce > Kobe Points per game Pierce > Kobe and McGrady Free Throw Shooting Pierce > Kobe and McGrady Pierce has put up better all-around stats than both of those players this season, yet he has no business being among the top five complete players? Give me a break. ...but I agree that Walker should be considered too.
KG without question. I don't think there is anything the Big Ticket can't do, and do well. He has the ability and range to score anywhere on the floor, rebounds very well, blocks shots, moves well, passes well, and handles the ball like a guard. I could go on and on and on.....
Against my will, I'll vote for Kobe. Points, assists, boards, defends, runs the fast break. Can take over the game. Smart. Arrogant punk. God, I hate him and wish we had a player like that on the Rockets.
Pierce only averages 3.1 ast in 41 minutes. McGrady and Kobe are avging around 5.5 ast. That a big difference. Pierce plays more minutes then both Kobe and McGrady. Pierce isnt a all around player yet.
