OT Generational talent

[Orion Bailey]

This is being discussed in another thread and thought it might be best to have its own.
I have a high criteria for generational talent.
To me that means once in a generation. or the best of a generation.

I pit a handful of players in that category.
Wilt
Mj
Shaq
Lbj
Giannis
Curry
Bird
Kareem

a “b list of
Oscar
Kobe
Durant
Duncan
Russell
Nowitski


Im sure im missing a few, but to me, its not a long list.

whats your list and what defines a generational talent to you?

 

[Hoopguru]

The NBA recently acknowledged 75 of the best players for the last 75 years.
Im not sure Russ Westbrook is one of them, imo. I wont use Westbrick anymore as he's gone public stating it disrespects his last name and his family members. They wont even go to home laker games anymore because of it.
I respect his request and will no longer mock his family name.

 

[Orion Bailey]

The NBA recently acknowledged 75 of the best players for the last 75 years.
Im not sure Russ Westbrook is one of them, imo. I wont use Westbrick anymore as he's gone public stating it disrespects his last name and his family members. They wont even go to home laker games anymore because of it.
I respect his request and will no longer mock his family name.

he isn't on my list either.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

This is being discussed in another thread and thought it might be best to have its own.
I have a high criteria for generational talent.
To me that means once in a generation. or the best of a generation.

I pit a handful of players in that category.
Wilt
Mj
Shaq
Lbj
Giannis
Curry
Bird
Kareem

a “b list of
Oscar
Kobe
Durant
Duncan
Russell
Nowitski


Im sure im missing a few, but to me, its not a long list.

whats your list and what defines a generational talent to you?

Giannis shouldn't be on the list if Kobe isn't. Bird shouldn't either.

A general talent is someone who can dominate the league over a period of time. Someone you have to plan your entire offense around.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Giannis shouldn't be on the list if Kobe isn't. Bird shouldn't either.

A general talent is someone who can dominate the league over a period of time. Someone you have to plan your entire offense around.

i paused on those names. Giannis is suspect because his career isnt done.

mostly i agree with you.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I consider a generational talent to be a player who, for the majority of their career, was the best player at their position. The best of his generation. I go by position rather than overall because, for example, I think Magic, Jordan, and Bird were all generational talents. However Clyde wouldn't be, because he was overshadowed by Jordan.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I consider a generational talent to be a player who, for the majority of their career, was the best player at their position. The best of his generation. I go by position rather than overall because, for example, I think Magic, Jordan, and Bird were all generational talents. However Clyde wouldn't be, because he was overshadowed by Jordan.

man. I missed magic.
But exactly why i didnt have clyde down for the same reason as you

 

[THE HCP]

I consider a generational talent to be a player who, for the majority of their career, was the best player at their position. The best of his generation. I go by position rather than overall because, for example, I think Magic, Jordan, and Bird were all generational talents. However Clyde wouldn't be, because he was overshadowed by Jordan.

Can’t agree with this, Bill Russell AND Wilt are both up there.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Can’t agree with this, Bill Russell AND Wilt are both up there.

didnt one own the other in the playoffs though? Making one pretty much better than the other? Or was it one guy put up stats becuase he was on a lesswrctalented team so numbers wer eaiswr to get?


This is another factor when using stats to compare.
Some people feel players like Dame get his numbers because of lack of talent of the teammates. Does that make them a generational talent because everyone else on the team sucked?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Can’t agree with this, Bill Russell AND Wilt are both up there.

I think they would be known as "the exception that proves the rule". In response to...

Karl Malone vs Charles Barkley
John Stockton vs Isaiah Thomas vs Magic
Wilt vs Russell
David Robinson vs Hakeem
Duncan vs KG vs Dirk

All those players played at the same time against each other and I would consider them generational talents.

...I would have to ask: How do you define the term?

 

[wizenheimer]

semantics

 

[THE HCP]

I think they would be known as "the exception that proves the rule". In response to...



...I would have to ask: How do you define the term?

If you chooses generational talent, there could only be about 4 or 5 guys on the list. Too touch for me to choose right now without research. I mean do you need a player from like each 15 seasons or so? Is George Mikan a generational talent because he was the best back in his time, but couldn't hold 3 centers from the 80s/90s jock straps? Get's confusing. It's almost like you have to choose the best 5 players EVER regardless of when they played.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If you're in the basketball HOF you're a generational talent.

Sabonis, career stats in the NBA not the greatest.

But still a generational talent.

And in the HOF.

Lillard: NBA top 75. Future HOF. Generational talent.

 

[blazerkor]

This is being discussed in another thread and thought it might be best to have its own.
I have a high criteria for generational talent.
To me that means once in a generation. or the best of a generation.

I pit a handful of players in that category.
Wilt
Mj
Shaq
Lbj
Giannis
Curry
Bird
Kareem

a “b list of
Oscar
Kobe
Durant
Duncan
Russell
Nowitski


Im sure im missing a few, but to me, its not a long list.

whats your list and what defines a generational talent to you?

This is just my opinion and it's in no way Steph slander because I definitely think he's "generational" but having him on your A list with The Big O, Bill Russell, Kobe and Duncan on your B list is absurd. I don't even think there's an argument against those guys all being better than Steph. Steph is Steve Nash with a better shot. The only difference is the system Steph has played in and his ridiculously high level complementary teammates. I mean you listed 13 players and I don't know if Steph is one of the 15 best of all time. I don't know who goes on there in front of him but for sure Hakeem goes in front of him. I'd probably have Barkley in front of Steph. KG, both Karl and Moses Malone might be ahead of him too.

Steph is such a limited defensive player, he just has guys covering for him all of the time but he really is a one way player. Greatest shooter of all time, one of the best ball handlers of all time, definitely a generational facilitator/passer and that's a ton of the game on the offensive end but that's really where it stops for me for skills he's even at an all star level at let alone an all time level.

 

[Orion Bailey]

This is just my opinion and it's in no way Steph slander because I definitely think he's "generational" but having him on your A list with The Big O, Bill Russell, Kobe and Duncan on your B list is absurd. I don't even think there's an argument against those guys all being better than Steph. Steph is Steve Nash with a better shot. The only difference is the system Steph has played in and his ridiculously high level complementary teammates. I mean you listed 13 players and I don't know if Steph is one of the 15 best of all time. I don't know who goes on there in front of him but for sure Hakeem goes in front of him. I'd probably have Barkley in front of Steph. KG, both Karl and Moses Malone might be ahead of him too.

Steph is such a limited defensive player, he just has guys covering for him all of the time but he really is a one way player. Greatest shooter of all time, one of the best ball handlers of all time, definitely a generational facilitator/passer and that's a ton of the game on the offensive end but that's really where it stops for me for skills he's even at an all star level at let alone an all time level.

i put Steph on there because he has won an mvp, a ring and he largely forced the nba to change how the game is played. Few have ever done that. Shaq did it. Jordan did it.
To say he is steve nash with a better shot, to me is vastly underselling how good of a shot that is.
Many already have him as the best shooter ever.
How does one not consider that a generational talent?
One could say jordan had the system with pippen. Or kobe and shaq had each other.
There will always be something one can point at to say the player had help.
For that matter you mention kg. He couldn't win without paul pierce aNd ray allen. The system they had.
Hcp is right that it is not easy.
I think thats why its somewhat importNt to define generational, prior to listing players.
Seems some have a bit different meaning and i don't think there is one right one. But i think there is a right set of lists of players for each definition.

 

[STOMP]

What constitutes a generational talent is subjective like so many other labels, there is no right or wrong

STOMP

 

[Orion Bailey]

WAR MONGER!!!!!

What constitutes a generational talent is subjective like so many other labels, there is no right or wrong

STOMP

hence the need to define generational while listing said players i suppose.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Bo Jackson: Generational talent.

 

[blazerkor]

Bo Jackson: Generational talent.

 

[Predator]

This is being discussed in another thread and thought it might be best to have its own.
I have a high criteria for generational talent.
To me that means once in a generation. or the best of a generation.

I pit a handful of players in that category.
Wilt
Mj
Shaq
Lbj
Giannis
Curry
Bird
Kareem

a “b list of
Oscar
Kobe
Durant
Duncan
Russell
Nowitski


Im sure im missing a few, but to me, its not a long list.

whats your list and what defines a generational talent to you?

LeBron
MJ
Wilt
Russell
Magic

 

[Predator]

Kareem too

 

[Chris Craig]

didnt one own the other in the playoffs though? Making one pretty much better than the other? Or was it one guy put up stats becuase he was on a lesswrctalented team so numbers wer eaiswr to get?


This is another factor when using stats to compare.
Some people feel players like Dame get his numbers because of lack of talent of the teammates. Does that make them a generational talent because everyone else on the team sucked?

That would mean Lebron isn't a generational talent

 

[SlyPokerCat]

Come on....kobe is an a list generational talent.

 

[STOMP]

To my sensibility, being labeled a generational talent is about fame level as much as their dominance. Someone who defines an era and transcends sports so much even casual & non-sports fans know them. Curry and James would be the closest two guys to that in today's game.

STOMP

 

[Orion Bailey]

That would mean Lebron isn't a generational talent

how so? Lbj won rings with three different teams. How many mvps?

 

[Further]

Generational talent, as in 1 per generation, Since the early 90’s I think there’s 2, Jordan and LeBron. Otherwise we have terms like star and superstar.

 

[Chris Craig]

how so? Lbj won rings with three different teams. How many mvps?

Lack of talent of teammates

Not saying he isn't. Saying by that logic

 

[SlyPokerCat]

Generational talent, as in 1 per generation, Since the early 90’s I think there’s 2, Jordan and LeBron. Otherwise we have terms like star and superstar.

Idk man. I feel like I got to live through most of Jordan and all of Lebron. Kobe is there with them.

 

[Ed O]

Idk man. I feel like I got to live through most of Jordan and all of Lebron. Kobe is there with them.

Strong disagree. Kobe is the most overrated player I can think of (especially now that people seem to be relaxing on how good Iverson was).

I think Curry is a much more efficient player than Kobe and I think he's been more influential on the game, for example. Kobe was like a poor man's Jordan, while Curry is blazing a new trail.

 

[Strenuus]

This is being discussed in another thread and thought it might be best to have its own.
I have a high criteria for generational talent.
To me that means once in a generation. or the best of a generation.

I pit a handful of players in that category.
Wilt
Mj
Shaq
Lbj
Giannis
Curry
Bird
Kareem

a “b list of
Oscar
Kobe
Durant
Duncan
Russell
Nowitski


Im sure im missing a few, but to me, its not a long list.

whats your list and what defines a generational talent to you?

Switch out Kobe and Giannis.

I hated Kobe the entire time he played but he is an all time great, not a B list. That's my only disagreement.