Macbeth and Heypartner (or Carter and AI in disguise If that's the case, I didn't know yall are rockets fans. Hey, leave the East and join the Rockets. With you both, we can destroy any team in the world), didn't you guys watch the head-to-head matchup between AI and Carter in the Eastern Semifinal two years ago? That was a very memorable matchup and those two were exchanging 40 points on each other. You can say AI won both in term of total points scored and result of the serie. Of course, those were in game situations. But, in many one on one cases, Carter seemed not able to defend AI effectively. AI, on the other hand, I didn't remember him defending Carter.
Ooops, I took too long to write my post, and MacBeth beat me in talking about that playoff serie. Anyway, Carter is not as good as he used to be, so he's out of the equation.
so, in the day, mid-80s (when Barkley was his fastest and most explosive), we used to do this same argument with Barkley, Magic, Bird, MJ. I always argued Barkley. But that was because I was in denial about Magic, being a Bird lover. That argument was definitely about nine ball. Each one of those guys was making 11 in a row. I think Carter and AI make 11 in a row, too. Carter's defense isn't stopping AI when there's no one at the rim. I think backing off him and "not following for headfakes" is overrated...he'll just be shooting 8'ers in your face, until you come get him....then he's by you. anyhoot...this is all in fun. I always go for the guy with the biggest intangible. It take big butts/hops and speed/hops over superhops.
1 on 1: 1. Shaq, he simply would dunk every time near the basket. That is a pretty high percentage shot. 2. Duncan, same as Shaq 3. Garnett, simply the best athlete 3. Tmac, 6 ft 8 guard with 7 ft reach Other considerations: Kobe, Pierce * AI was not considered because of his height disadvantage. AI would have to settle for more outside shots then any of the above mentioned players, even with his great speed.
Who, out of the guys you named, could check Iverson? Typical one on one game, take it out from the top of the key, how's Shaq or Tim going to dribble the ball to the basket without getting picked (unless they are playing each other).
i think if you're talking about only ONE one on one tournament, it's a close call between AI vs. TMac/Kobe/Carter. but in the long run, AI's height disvantage will hurt him. Those big athletic guys can just flat out dunk over AI EVERY time while AI has to settle for more jumpers and layups. it's obvious who will make more shots.
What about Nick Van Exel? Not exactly a great team player yes. But in an 1-on-1 game who can really stop him? Definitely 1 of the most unguardable players in the league when he's hot IMO.
The big guys still have to get the ball to the basket, and that's going to be an extremely difficult task with a quick little guy like Iverson, who can easily roll around these guys and swipe the ball away before it even gets to the ground. Iverson would not have to settle for jumpers at all....it would be layup after layup....he'll absolutely BLOW BY any of the big guys mentioned. Sure, they can back off him, but are you lucky enough that he'll miss open J's repeatedly. Nah....
it's not like big guys have to dribble the ball all the way to the basket. they just need to dribble once or twice and then take two big steps and they are close to the basket enough to make a shot. i don't see how it is so easy for little guys to steal the ball away. if AI stays too close, they don't even have to dribble. they just shoot 3's and then race down and beat AI for the rebound. sure, AI won't miss open J's repeatedly. but my point is in the long run he'll miss J's and layups more often than big guys miss their dunks and layups. hence big guys win.
as bad as iverson shoots in games, his % goes way up when he's shooting open J's. now give him even more room and a higher comfort level and it would go up even more. plus his jumpers wouldn't have to be long at all since big men would have to back off so far. now if we made it a little more fair and the big men got to post up, then receive the ball, then i don't see how iverson would stop them. but as long as they have to go all the way from up top, small guys have the advantage over the really big post players.
There's a simple answer to what a big guy like Carter does to a smaller guy like Iverson if he doesn't have to worry about teammates closing in on him...Haven't any of you played against much bigger or smaller players? You play body-body-ball until you get contact...and then just back him in. If the much smaller guy makes an effort to brace himself, of go around for the steal ( losing proposition of bigger guy keeps his body lengthwise between the ball and the defender), you just go around him the other way...and guys like Carter and McGrady don't need to get all that close...just within two of thier strides, which is far. It's a losing proposition for Iverson. Remember...when Iverson goes up against Carter, even if you credit the NBA listing, which having met Iverson I can say is not true, he is still giving up 7 inches and 60 pounds....again, 7 inches and 60 pounds. The equivalent to Hakeem going up against a guy who was 6-5, 190...like, say, Alvin Williams. Do you think Hakeem would have any trouble backing Alvin Williams in during his prime? On the other hand, unlike Hakeem ( at least to the same degree), Carter, McGrady et al have the ball skills to beat a guard if he plays up, and shoot over him if he plays back... There's a reason why they put Carter on Iverson but never put Iverson on Carter or anyone like him...He will beat them most of the time, as great offensive players are wont to do...They will beat him every single time, unless they screw up. Just back him in, and say good night.
Nice scenario. However, those are just pure speculations based on height, and in real game situation, it might not look that way at all. For example, on paper, Wilt would destroy Bill Russell like he's not there, but in reality, the reverse is true. Same thing with Shaq and Hakeem. You can't just say shaq does this and then that, he will win... How about Jamal Christiansen against Spud Webb? On paper, I have 8 inches and 35 pounds on him. But playing one on one, he will eat me alive. Anyway, In a real game, things don't work that way. BTW, what's Hakeem's height. I heard his real height somewhere near 6'9'', instead of the 7'00'' listed.
umm... i'm not sure about the rules. i think that once you start taking your steps, anyone trying to get into your path would be called for a blocking foul instead of charging. so unless AI can figure out where big guys intend to go and get there before they make moves, he can't do nothing about their drives. and big guys don't do it often in game is because there's too much traffic. come on, it's just from the top of the key to the basket. it's not like them racing in an 100-meter dash. remember AI has to make a turn because he starts with his back to the basket. even if AI gets there a step earlier, big guys' long reach will make it up. also they can throw the ball high enough to get themselves enough time. but i'll concede that it's possible for AI to get some rebounds depending on the bounces of the ball, which would render this plan useless. i agree that the main argument is that whether big guys can get to the basket without getting picked by small guys. if big guys can do it more consistently than small guys make their J's, then big guys win hands down.
I think Shaq should be exempt along with Yao in the future. Guards/ish in order 1.Kobe, sorry he got the height and can post 2.TMac...ditto, but less post moves 3.AI, you know... 4.Marbury, strong and quick Posts 1.KG 2.Duncan 3.Webber
