I think people in history get warped out of perspective and are not accurate depictions. You're comparisons between the 96 and 03 players are much closer because we still have a clear picture of them.
1) 1984- Olajuwon, Jordan... enough said 2) 1996- Kobe, Iverson, Nash... 3) 2003- Lebron, Wade, Melo...(Douche bag class) 4) 1998- Nowitzki, Pierce, Carter... --RB
1984: In addition to Dream, Jordan, Barkley, and Stockton... Sam Perkins Alvin Robertson Otis Thorpe Kevin Willis Michael Cage Jerome Kersey Jim Petersen
So you don't think Jordan > Kobe Hakeem > Iverson Barkley > Ray Allen Stockton > Nash I think you could argue Nash and Stockton but Stockton was so much better of a defender that I think even that is a stretch. I don't think you will find too many people that believe that Kobe is better than Jordan or Iverson is better than Hakeem. You might have a few Kobe fans that will try to argue for him over MJ but I think a majority realize that Jordan is still the GOAT. I don't think you could find a single person that knows basketball well that would say that Ray Allen is better than Barkley. Sometimes perspective is an issue but I think with those 4 there is little to debate.
I just didn't feel comfortable comparing players from different positions from different eras, but you make good points and I will agree.
Correction: 4. 81- Pistol Pete, Archibal, Lanier, Calvin Murphy - that was in 1970 draft, not 1981! Pistol Pete was that greatest ball-handler of all-time! a man way ahead of his time!
84 no doubt cuz of Jordan, the G.O.A.T baby!! also I think it is way too early for anyone to say the 96 class is better than the 03 cuz the young guys still got a good 10 years to earn their seats in the history and we'll se how the Lebrons and Carmelos would turn out.
I tend to take any player from pre-late-70's with a grain of salt. They didn't deal with the athleticism, defense, or even the 3-point-line like a lot of 'modern' players did. Pistol Pete was amazing, but I question how well he would do in the modern NBA. Murphy, however, was a pure shooter, so much of what I said above doesn't apply to him; that kind of skillset is timeless.
HMs (1970 class was good mention) 1960 - Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Lenny Wilkens 1965 - Bill Bradley, Gail Goodrich, Rick Barry, the Van Arsdale Brothers, Billy Cunningham, and Bob Love. 1969 - Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Jo Jo White, Bob Danridge, and Jo Jo White. 1974 1998, 1999
that's agreed! But, Murph is a different player from Maravich! In all, there are so many 'what ifs' with the earlier players playing in today's game and today's player's playing in the game back in the day! It was what it was and is today! Back then though, they may not have had the 3pt line, but they were also more aggressive and less restrictions in the game than what they have today! Each player creates their our niche in the game, which ever that pans out to be! At least back in the day, Pistol Pete was the greatest ball-handler of all-time!
Not this argument again, people always make that argument, but if they sit down watch some of these older NBA players in their prime. Then, you would see the amazing skill set of some of these players. I was watch Bob Cousy the other night, and I was wowed at some of the moves he made with basketball, right now the only point guards I could see passing like that are Nash and Kidd (in his prime). You realize Oscar Robertson was averaging over 10 assist a game at a time, assist only counted, if the person did not dribble. Pretty hard to do. I'd imagine most modern players would come anywhere to his assist number, if he played in the modern NBA, he was also just fantastic all-round player. Don't get me started on players, like Erving, Chamberlain, Kareem, Hayes, Gervin, or Barry. You can't tell they would be amongst NBA's top 10 today or even in consideration for the best player. These players did things that I haven't seen since, or poorly imitated. You can't tell that those players, especially, the centers would not put a serious clinic on with the current NBA. You also realize efficient jump shooting in the league has gotten worse, while those players did not play with handicapped rules (handchecking, aggressive defense, centers patrolling the paint, and foul shooting fest). You realize the leaders, then would only be at best 5th in league. It's insane how players now shoot so many free throws a game. http://www.databasebasketball.com/leaders/playerseasonsearch.htm
your joking... kobe > lebron iverson = wade melo < allen..what? the man was deadlier than anyone from the 3 point land. nash > bosh
Definitely 84. A team with Dream, Stockton, Barkley and Jordan in their prime, that team would be unbeatable!
