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How many alphas are there in the NBA?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by MystikArkitect, May 21, 2016.

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  1. MystikArkitect

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    True cornerstone leaders. Who are they? Love is looking good as a Beta2 but was the alpha of a terrible Wolves team. Beta 1 is basically a guy who should be a Beta but might be put into an alpha role with favorable but not great results. Beta 2s are dudes that put up or could put up stats on terrible teams but would be a great third option on a team like OKC or the Cavs. Thinking:

    Alphas
    Lebron
    KD
    CP3
    Davis?
    Steph?

    Beta 1s
    Harden
    Griffin
    Westbrook
    Lillard
    Butler?
    George
    Wade
    Irving

    Beta 2s
    Leonard
    Bosh
    Love
    Dwight?
    Marc Gasol
    Dirk?
    Lowry
    Derozan
     
  2. ISOBall

    ISOBall Member

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    Corey Brewer assumes alpha with BJ Bickerstaff behind closed doors
     
  3. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

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    Aaron Brooks
     
  4. FTW Rockets FTW

    FTW Rockets FTW Contributing Member

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  5. ln3012

    ln3012 Member

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    can't put a player who has never won a playoff game in that first category
     
  6. francis 4 prez

    francis 4 prez Contributing Member

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    Leonard is at least a Beta1. he scored 21 ppg with a 61.6 TS%. obviously the SA system helps, but he was a pretty good post-up player, can hit off the dribble 3's, spot up 3's, and take people off the dribble.
     
  7. mfastx

    mfastx Member
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    Maybe a little recency bias here, but Leonard was a non-factor down the stretch in the OKC series. His inability to take over down the stretch is probably why OP but him in tier 2.
     
  8. larsv8

    larsv8 Contributing Member

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    Depends on what the hell an alpha is.
     
  9. el gnomo

    el gnomo Member

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    Your definitions don't make sense. Wade is definitely an Alpha. Draymond is an Alpha. Westbrook is an Alpha. I think you're just trying to ask who's a #1, #2, or #3 option... not who's Alpha/Beta.
     
  10. Gimmmethemike

    Gimmmethemike Member

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    Draymond green is not no damn Alpha! Maybe a Beta2
     
  11. MystikArkitect

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    The only one you could possibly argue as an alpha is Westbrook. Draymond as a #1 option on a team is laughable. He wouldn't even be in tier 2 category. Wade *was* but not longer is. He can't carry a team to a championship.

    I don't think anyone would doubt that Davis with the right pieces around him should be dominating the league pretty soon.
     
  12. el gnomo

    el gnomo Member

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    Once again, are you talking about an 'ALPHA' or are you talking about a #1 option. There's a difference. Dwyane Wade is absolutely, 100% the Alpha, and he was when LeBron was there as well.
     
  13. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    Harden is more of an Omega.
     
  14. francis 4 prez

    francis 4 prez Contributing Member

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    well beta2 would appear to be a 3rd option. leonard is at least a 2nd option. he might be able to get to 1st option status but even now his scoring volume and efficiency are impressive.
     
  15. MystikArkitect

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    Both, and there's not really. Anyone can be a "#1 option". Every team has one, but eyeball test will tell you that they really shouldn't be. That's why you have what I term "Beta" players parading around as "Alphas". Wade is the #1 option in Miami but if you want to use him as an alpha at this stage of his career, you have zero shot at a chip. He's at best a Beta 1.
     
  16. el gnomo

    el gnomo Member

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    Alright, it seems like you are just making your own definitions of an alpha. To me (and most people), an alpha is the leader, the top dog that everyone else listens to and follows. Wade was not the #1 option when LeBron was there, but he WAS the alpha. What don't you understand about that?

    Hell, Kevin Garnett is STILL the alpha in Minnesota, and he sits on the bench for the majority of the game.
     
  17. 713

    713 Member

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    He is the definition of an Alpha. Probably the biggest Alpha in the game atm.
     
  18. Gimmmethemike

    Gimmmethemike Member

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    My ass! He cant not dominate and take over Games like the likes of Lebron, KD, Curry, AD!
     
  19. el gnomo

    el gnomo Member

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    Like the OP, you're talking about #1 options, not alphas. I equate alphas with leadership.
     
  20. francis 4 prez

    francis 4 prez Contributing Member

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    maybe in year 1. but not after that. i mean, wade may have still had the same alpha personality, but lebron was the driving force on and off the court.
     

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