OT NBA "Franchise Four"

[PtldPlatypus]

For the all-star game last night, MLB trotted out their four greatest living players. If you were to do that for the NBA, who would you go with? I'd probably go Michael, Magic, Russell, and Jabbar.

I've got 10 options listed in the poll, but if someone I didn't list deserves mention (Olajuwon?), go for it.

Edit: clearly Shaq belonged in the poll as well.

 

[jlprk]

Been through this many times. "Great" has several definitions. There should be a separate poll for each definition.

A more interesting poll would be, which definition of "great" should be used in polls.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Been through this many times. "Great" has several definitions. There should be a separate poll for each definition.

A more interesting poll would be, which definition of "great" should be used in polls.

I get you. This is slightly different than most "greatest ever" questions in that since it's living players only, Wilt is excluded.

Still, since each person's definition of great is different, that's what makes it interesting. The players who rise above the rest are those who fit the largest number of people's definitions of great.

 

[jlprk]

You can do it by peak years (Bill Walton, Shawn Kemp), little talent but leadership against adversity (e.g. Knicks fans would propose John Starks), longevity, talent had injury not struck (Oden), number of championships (Laker fans like this one) etc., etc.

By position, by decade, etc., etc.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If they all came back in their prime for the 2016 season, the four most modern players would still dominate because the game has left the relative athleticism of older players behind.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

You can do it by peak years (Bill Walton, Shawn Kemp), little talent but leadership against adversity (e.g. Knicks fans would propse John Starks), longevity, talent had injury not struck (Oden), number of championships (Laker fans like this one) etc., etc.

By position, by decade, etc., etc.

True. Pick your four faves, and be happy.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Ha...they're discussing this very topic on Jay Mohr Sports right now, including the question of, "What is greatness?" They're mostly discussing resume v ability, vis-a-vis whether or not Lebron belongs.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I'm sorry, but any poll that does not include Jerry West (the freakin' LOGO for God's sake!) is a complete and utter sham. Boot Dr. J and insert Zeke.....

 

[blue9]

Fail. Last I checked Sabonis is still alive.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm sorry, but any poll that does not include Jerry West (the freakin' LOGO for God's sake!) is a complete and utter sham. Boot Dr. J and insert Zeke.....

If only I could change it after the fact. You're right--I should have omitted Dr. J and Kobe, and included West and Shaq instead. My apologies.

 

[ripcityboy]

I'm with you guys.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Jordan
Duncan
LeBron
Shaq

 

[Orion Bailey]

Jordan
Duncan
LeBron
Shaq

Wow, Duncan over magic? Interesting

 

[Schilly]

Robertson, Russell, Kareem, MJ

 

[BlazerWookee]

Robertson, Jordan, Magic, Dr. J.

 

[magnifier661]

When I look at the old greats I usually ask myself how they would be in today's NBA. Players like the logo, Russell, Dr. J and Robertson just wouldn't be as good IMO.

The era of true statistical achievement was in the early to mid 90's. That's why I put Jordan above all. Players were able to grab, abuse and push players around. The three point shot wasn't used like it is today. And players today are really protected than that era.

Give me the top 5 players in the 90's and I will argue they are the best 5 of all time.

Hakeem, Jordan, Shaq and Malone

 

[Natebishop3]

I went

Jordan
Magic
LeBron
Kareem

But I thought real hard about Bird and Robertson.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Bill, Lou, Michael Johnson and larry

 

[magnifier661]

Bill, Lou, Michael Johnson and larry

Billy Corgan, Lou Reid, Michael Johnson and Larry Graham are great artists, but I think we are talking about NBA Basketball Players

 

[Chris Craig]

Jordan, Robertson, Chamberlain, Bird

 

[oldfisherman]

Bill Russell; 11 NBA championships, career average 22.5 rpg, 15.1 ppg
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 19 time NBA all-star, all time leading NBA scorer.
Magic Johnson; 12 time NBA all-star, career average 19.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, 7.2 rpg.
Michael Jordan; 14 time NBA all-star, career average 30.1 ppg.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Jordan, Robertson, Chamberlain, Bird

Read the OP, man. "Living" players only.

 

[Chris Craig]

Read the OP, man. "Living" players only.

oops

 

[jlprk]

Ha...they're discussing this very topic on Jay Mohr Sports right now, including the question of, "What is greatness?" They're mostly discussing resume v ability, vis-a-vis whether or not Lebron belongs.

French, twice in the same sentence. Nice.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

French, twice in the same sentence. Nice.

Thanks, but only half credit, since I neglected the accent marks.

 

[BrianFromWA]

to be fair, accent aigu (é) is complex on a windows machine. Hold ALT + 0233 on the number pad.

If you're interested, it's 0231 for cedilla (ç) and 0232 for accent grave (è) as well.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

to be fair, accent aigu (é) is complex on a windows machine. Hold ALT + 0233 on the number pad.

If you're interested, it's 0231 for cedilla (ç) and 0232 for accent grave (è) as well.

It's even easier if you're typing in an Office Suite program--just hold CTRL while selecting the additive, and then type the letter. For instance, é is simply CTRL+', e. However, I was actually using tapatalk on my phone. If I'd made any effort, I could have succeeded.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Bill Russell; 11 NBA championships, career average 22.5 rpg, 15.1 ppg
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 19 time NBA all-star, all time leading NBA scorer.
Magic Johnson; 12 time NBA all-star, career average 19.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, 7.2 rpg.
Michael Jordan; 14 time NBA all-star, career average 30.1 ppg.

Boom. Cant be any other 4, IMO. As much as i want to put others on it