To be fair, Dr. J was already an ABA champion before all that, back when the ABA was disgustingly talented and Julius was in his prime.
I feel that Kareem was unfairly criticized at the time because in his day, the center position was usually manned by a physically dominant low post player and Kareem possessed more offensive skills than the centers of his era. That's why he was criticized for not being "physical" enough. His development of the skyhook - which was an unblockable shot - is evidence of his willingness and determination to do what it took to win. As for Hakeem, having watched him play for UH and then the Rockets, I never viewed him as a "loser" - although that 1983 last second loss to NC State still hurts to this day. Hakeem will forever epitomize the "Heart Of A Champion" in my book. As for Dr. J, my God!. did you not see just how long AND hard it was for him to get that ring? In 1977 he led the 76ers to the NBA Finals after having beat the defending champion Boston Celtics in the ECF only to lose to Bill Waton's Trailblazers in the NBA Finals. Subsequently, the 76ers were eliminated twice in the ECF. In 1979, Bird joins the Celtics and the 76ers go on to face them in the ECF in 1980, 1981, 1982 & 1985. Dr. J and the 76ers beat the Celtics in the 1980 ECF only to lose to Magic Johnson and the Lakers in the Finals. He lost to Boston again in the 1981 ECF but was able to to beat them in the 1982 ECF only to again lose to - who else? - the Lakers. It wasn't until the 1982-83 season when Moses Malone showed up and they swept the Lakers in the Finals (this was the 4-5-4 title run) that Erving got his NBA Championship. When I look at the current situation with Harden and the Rockets I see a lot of similarities to what Erving had to go through and what Harden has faced here trying to break through against GS & LA. Both players have been tested but I have more admiration for Erving because he chose to stay and fight through the adversity. Of course, this is a different period in the NBA and one would be hard pressed to find a star player willing to go through the sort of ordeal Julius Erving did while chosing to remain with the same team. Getting that ring cements one's NBA legacy - Harden is keenly aware of that - so I can see the reasoning behind his desire to join a "superteam". It's just the nature of the beast.
Turns out there's no deadline for a PJ extension. He can be extended anytime this season. That's actually great for flexibility. 11PM CST for Harden. Shoutout @DonKnock
I think you are reaching. I think he is just refusing to talk about it at all, which is what think should be done. Don't even open that door and don't let Tillman off the hook.
While crying to post up and shoot the ugliest hook shot ever shot or turn the ball over in an age where centers dont post up anymore. , while choosing not to play PnR with the best PnR player ever. He did have a good Blazers series and Dwight COULD have been Clint x10 but Dwight didn’t buy into the 2 man game. He just had to post up 10 times a game and if he didn’t get those touches he would pout and take plays off. Dwight had his moments here - just thought too much of himself at that stage of his career.
Can you say anything more stupid. Anybody who plays basketball knows it's much harder to be the primary scorer and playmaker than to just move his feet more. Convienently allowed him to score more? Da****? Who else was gonna score?
Kobe was a Goat because he had Shaq and a HOF coach if Harden had the same he would be a "Goat" as well.
And this means what? One freakin series? So we can now say James is an all time great playoff performer because of what he did to Utah that 1 time? Or Capela because he outplayed Kat that one time?
