Most dominant basketball player you've been able to fully enjoy in their prime?

Assuming that you are being paid to troll sites for Queen James by his agent, I think the agent should ask for his money back. I had to spray my screen with Lysol after reading that mess.

 

Since it says fully enjoy, I would have to say Kobe.

I lived in the LA area from '05-'09 (college) and as a result, watched pretty much every Laker game (still a Rockets fan, just love to watch basketball and that was the best I had). He was simply amazing. Those supporting casts he had would probably finish last in the D-League (guys like Smush Parker, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown, Brian Cook. Just terribly awful sorry excuses for players) and they constantly went to postseasons (makes the casts which LeBron had look like HOFers and I am not even exaggerating).

He had it all. He was INSANE in crunch time (it really seemed like everything including crazy crazy crazy shots went in at times) and would take on the best opposing offensive player on the defensive end. That 81 point performance was truly amazing.

 

Dude, that's amazing.

As a little kid, I went to UH games galore with my Mom.....and listened when I wasn't there. I loooovvvved Otis Birdsong! I remember sitting in bed, listening to the game and thinking...Nail these freethrows like you always do....before you know it he'd have 23,24 points...just awesome. A great Cougar he was. Injuries really took him down in the pros. So you got to see him up there ?!?

On Magic ...Of course, it's a given that I'm a Rockets fan first and foremost. But outside of that...I was a Showtime man when it came to the LA vs. Boston deal. I hated those guys ...esp. Bird....you know how it was, jopatmc. We were so privileged to be able to turn on the tube and have the two greatest dynasties battling it out at the peak of their power. Magic grabbing a rebound and galloping coast to coast, faking everyone out ...and often finishing with the flush (earlier in his career)....or one of his trademark passes to Worthy for the jam.......Ahh, gives me chills man...The league was so much better then. It was quite an accomplishment to be the only team besides the Lakers to make it out of the West in the eighties....only to face the other half of these two. I actually think those Rockets teams were better than the ones that eventually broke through and won titles.
I digress though - Dream, MJ, Magic
Dream is of course my man(PSJ forever), total game from the 5. MJ is right there and I understand why so many would have him on top. But if I was starting a team and could pick one player it would be Magic. He played every position, was a coach on the court from day one, and was the engine that won all those titles for LA. Yeah, he had some great players around him, that's what it takes to win championships. That said, Kareem was already for the most part a dinosaur. And Magic served up silver platter jobs for James and the rest of the boys. He was not only the definition of making everyone better, but was an amazing "go to" guy. ... And I would be remiss if I didn't mention both the joy and killer instinct he played with.....One of a kind.

 

I was an adult when Otis was playing for Guy V at UH, but except for that, feel much the same way. I especially like your point about the Lakers and the Celtics, Magic and Bird, and how we battled them in the early to mid-'80's. That's why when Ralph made The Shot, it was such a stunner. Even though LA was behind in the series, most outside of Houston (and some in Houston, like Blindbury, who wrote off Houston's chances before the series started, and has been on my **** list ever since) thought that the Lakers would fight back and win it, regardless. They were the defending champions! Our bad luck that when we got to the Finals, we had to face that Boston team. The '85-'86 Celtic were arguably the best team to ever lace up their sneakers, dammit.

 

Oh Deckard, I've told this story before, but the abridged version on Ralph's shot for me - My buddy and I were at Dan Patrick's (beechnut & 59 location). We had somehow circumvented a massive line and had been drinking at the bar for a few hours before tip. Of course the place is jammed to the gills and it's LOUD...just an electric atmosphere. Well, Ralph hits the shot, the buzzer goes off ....and of course it's bedlam in there. Everyone is yelling and high fives all around, jumping around. We're in heaven...well, we were so excited that before we knew it Darin and I found ourselves outside...couldn't even tell you how we got there with the celebration and all...but we look at each other and finally realize that the 100 and whatever $ bar tab was still inside......We were 20 years old, laughing our a$$ off and in total celebration mode as we drove off to Fizz (club from back in the day).
I went back the next day and payed Dan personally. He was great about it. In fact he even bought me lunch and we talked about the upcoming series for awhile...

 

It's LeBron. The man is simply a new generation of basketball player

 

Strong list. I'm right there with ya.

 

You can hate me for this but I'm my favorite player in his prime is T-Mac

 

HEre is an interesting thing for all those that saw Dream demolish David robinson. Did you not see lebron do that to derrick rose last playoffs? That is why I am shocked of anyone on this board hating on the GOAT LBJ because same thing happene to the dream, he deserved the mvp and saw them hand it to david robinson and then embarassed him. Last year, LBJ should've been MVP AGAIN, we are witnessing GOAT, and they gave it to rose for a story, and then LBJ did the same thing hakeem did to another level and just wouldn't let rose goto work. Witness.

 

Shaq during the early decade was just sick. He made everyone else look like a little kid.

 

But Lebron is soo much bigger than Rose, and they don't even play the same position.

 

Wait what? Lebron guarded Rose and completely shut him down. Shut him down worse than Hakeem shut down David Robinson

 

Shaq. Most dominant player ever in the league.

 

LeBron James are you on clutchfans now?

 

lol put him on ignore after reading 2 of his posts. Why is a Heat fan trolling a Rockets board anyways, that's like me going to the Pacers board and dickride Tmac all day, makes no sense. go troll the Bulls/Celtics/Lakers forums where you will actually stir up a storm.

 

No doubt!!!

 

With the word "fully" being the keyword. I'd have to go Shaq and it's not even close... Those lakers teams just ran away with those titles (minus the kings series of course)

 

Jordan and Kobe for me.

 

I am a rockets fan, moved here in the 80s, witnessed the 2 championships, but i just love hoops. Hate the state of things where the best ptlayer I have ever seen gets hated while true honest jerks and probably bad people like Kobe and MJ get idolized? makes no sense....

but yes, I was complimenting what hakeem did and comparing him to the GOAT lebron, so if thats not a compliment, I don't know what is