Thorpe was also a hell of an iron man. I don't remember what his consecutive game streak was, but he had some outrageous number of consecutive games played at one point, most of which (the streak, that is) was with the Rockets (stretching from Sacramento and well into his Rockets years, I think). You don't see that kind of thing much. We spend more time fearing recurring injuries than being able to appreciate long streaks of consecutive games. Thorpe was so healthy and strong you could just take it for granted he'd be out there for every game (no, not the entire career, but for most of his first 10 years or so).
I would love to have a Otis Thorpe on this curent roster. He would fit right in with our hustling blue collar type players.
OT. I love Carl, but OT all the way. He could board, pass, defend, and run. People forget that he ran very well... and would palm the ball as he swooped in from the wing. Plus, if you had to take a PF to deal with the Knick thugs, you have to take OT.
Thorpe was a beast. Yao + Thorpe would be a lot better than Yao + Landry in terms of rebounding and defense. Landry doesn't really complement Yao that well.
After the 86 team was dismantled, I think OT was the first step in building the team back to being contenders. That dude was the definition of hard worker, setting picks, grabbing boards, etc
Be fair to Carl, he doesn't get near the minutes Otis got. I'd say Landry is the better offensive player, but lacks the size Thorpe had which allowed Thorpe to be a good rebounder and defender.
OT all the way. Loved his baseball passes, one handed rebounds, and especially the below-the-basket-one-handed-reverse dunks when you thought he had no where to go and he would take everyone up with himself and hang on the hoop for a few secs. also loved him for a couple of squabbles he had with Karl Malone, and how Maolne chickened out of both of them. can't believe they did not retire his Jersey.
Be fair to Carl? Hell, be fair to OT! It's almost comparing apples to oanges, at least to me. Hugely different players, and an honest comparison is unfair to both guys. Far different games, far different skill sets, incredibly different physiques. Anyone ever see Carl throw the BB the length of the court for an easy bucket on a breakaway like he was throwing a baseball? OT had the prototypical body of a 4, something Carl doesn't have, although it fits well in today's league (except it would be nice if he were at least as tall as Luis). OT was a much better rebounder, better passer, better at the occasional steal. Landry has him beat at the charity stripe by a mile, is quicker and has, perhaps, a more well rounded offensive game, but otherwise Otis all the way and proven for many years as a starter playing starter's minutes. Honestly, where do these comparisons come from? It wouldn't have occurred to me to put the two guys against each other. They're just much different players, IMO.
They aren't similar players. Carl Landry is a guys who relies on his explosiveness - he spins around, hops around and gets offensive boards, very fast, very quick. Thorpe was a true "Power" forward. He uses his strength to get position for a board or powers his way in for scores. Next to Hakeem, Thorpe was the better player. Next to Yao, I think either one would do but Landry is still too young to really judge.
Why is that? There eras are not that far apart. This is, after all, a forum specifically created for these types of debates. Just because you didn't see OT play doesn't mean those of us who have can't have a good conversation about him. And it's OT all the way. Even if Landry goes on to be a 22/9 type of player his defense is always going to keep him from being on OT's level as a complete player.
Landry is potential. I know what OT was. OT all the way. If anyone has the time to look it up, a year by year comparison between the two might be interesting.
