Who Is The Best Player At Each Position?

by cavejunctionblazer on Jul 31, 2011 6:21 PM PDT

I dont know about you, but this seems like the longest summer ever to me. With the lockout in full effect and no possible end in sight, the dog days of summer really bite. Even Blazersedge has slowed way down just because there simply isnt much basketball news let alone Blazers related news.

Anyways, in my attempts to find Blazers news, I came across this story on ESPNs website that they just posted on who they think are the best players at each position. It has some Blazers related quotes and I thought it made for some interesting conversation and figured what the heck, lets see if anyone else has an opinion. So below I posted ESPNs picks for each position, the Blazers related info, and some of my own silly comments. Check them out, and tell me what you think. Where would you differ from their picks?

Point Guard-

3 votes for Chris Paul

1 for Derrick Rose

1 for Rajon Rondo

Magic Johnson got all 5 votes for Best PG ever!

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Shooting Guards-

Dwayne Wade gets all 5 votes (sorry Kobe)

Michael Jordan gets all 5 votes for best SG ever

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Small Forwards-

4 votes for Lebron James

1 vote for Kevin Durant

Greatest ever SF Larry Bird 3 votes, Scottie Pippen 1 vote, Julius Irving 1 vote

Our own Nicolas Batm get a vote for most underrated small forward in the NBA. quote:

"Many a GM has tried to pry Nicolas Batum away from Portland. No such luck. He's defense first with earnest promise to boost his offense. He embraces whatever role hes given while working to improve. He's just 22. Batum may never be a household name, but one day teams will be fighting for his services." Kyle Weidie, Truth About It

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Power Forwards-

4 votes for Dirk

1 vote for unbelievably enough Zach Randolph

3 votes for Tim Duncan as best PF of all time! 2 votes for Karl Malone

Lamarcus got a vote for the most underrated PF. here the quote:

"Lamarcus Aldridge quietly posted one of the best seasons for a power forward in 2010-2011. His PER was the 7th highest among power forwards, and, with the decline of Brandon Roy, Aldridge carried the Trailblazers to the playoff and gave the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks one of their toughest series." Justin Defeo, Nets Are Scorching

Lamarcus gets a vote for most promising PF in the NBA:

"Blake Griffin and Lamarcus Aldridge are leading the pack that includes all kinds of potential in the likes of Derrick Favors, Thaddeus Young, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams and Bismack Biyombo." Henry Abbot, True Hoop

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Centers-

Dwight Howard all 5 votes

Best center of all time 2 votes Bill Russel, 1 vote Wilt, 1 vote Shaq, 1 vote Kareem Abdul Jabar

The quote on Shaqs vote was semi Blazers related:

"Shaq. I know Wilt was great, but I never got to see him play. Shaq I saw in his prime, there was nothing like him. During the Lakers 3peat run, Shaq averaged 30 points and 14.5 rebounds per playoff game. Averaged! Only Portland could kinda slow him down, and it took three elite defenders - - Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and fellow giant Arvydas Sabonis."-Jordan Heimer, ClippersBlog

Personally, I was hoping for Oden to atleast get a vote for most promising center in the NBA. But Nay, he isnt even mentioned.

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So what do you think? Do you agree with the players they picked or would your lineup look a little different? Heres an interesting thought - Who do you think would win a game between the best players of all time and the current best players in the NBA? That would be a game to see! Imagine these 2 teams going head to head:

PG - Chris Paul / Magic Johnson

SG - Dwayne Wade / Michael Jordan

SF - Lebron James / Larry Bird

PF - Dirk Nowitski / Tim Duncan

C - Dwight Howard / Bill Russell

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my post.

Peace,

CJB

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Comments

good post

I had read all these on the 5 on 5 roundtable posts on ESPN.com, and agreed with most everything they said. i think the GOAT team would destroy the current best team!

Barefoot conducts his seminars on his houseboat in Sausalito. It costs a hundred dollars to find out why we are on this Earth. You also get a sandwich, but I wasn't hungry that day. John Lennon had just been killed and I think I know why we are on this Earth; it's to find out that what you love the most will be taken away from you, probably due to an error in high places rather than by design.

by thankyouforblaze on Jul 31, 2011 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

Shaq averaged 30 points and 14.5 rebounds per playoff game. Averaged!

Wilt averaged like 25, 10 MORE than Shaq… just saying… not even close

by hoodieNation on Jul 31, 2011 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

wilt only had one other center of any competition

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 1, 2011 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah, nate thurmond

by tenkaistar on Aug 3, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Nate Thurmond might be the most overrated player in NBA history.

Not only was Thurmond offensively inefficient, but it took him leaving for Chicago in 1974 to push the Warriors over the top in 1975.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Aug 3, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Ha! Cue Bill Russell's famous cackle...

by Visionary2 on Aug 3, 2011 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

the current players would destroy them

the goat players are all past their late 40s, except for duncan.
it wouldn’t even be watchable.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Jul 31, 2011 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

lol

by thankyouforblaze on Jul 31, 2011 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

what if they were all in their primes-who would win then do you think?

by cavejunctionblazer on Jul 31, 2011 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

russel is 67, that's a prime.

the goats would lose big.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Aug 1, 2011 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Let's assume all players were in their primes

Then I think the rules used would make a major impact. If you used the current rules which dissallow hand-checking then the current players might have a chance. Under the rules of the 90’s, the GOAT team would crush the current best squad. Either way they should get rid of the no-charge circle.

by NWfan on Aug 1, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Good points

Give me Oscar Robertson, MJ, Bird, either Duncan or Malone, and Wilt in their respective primes and show me any roster of current players who these guys wouldn’t blow off the floor.

"Send lawyers, guns and money; the [nsfbe] has hit the fan." - Warren Zevon

by mexicoman on Aug 7, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

pg- Derrick Rose/Magic Johnson
sg- Kobe Bryant/Michael Jordan
sf- lebron james/larry bird
pf- dirk nowitzki/tim duncan
c- dwight howard/wilt chamberlin

by mynamehere1212 on Aug 1, 2011 1:20 AM PDT reply actions

not pretty..the GOAT’s would dominate. Magic could just post up Rose all day and out pass. MJ would destroy Bryant. Bird higher BB I.Q. just smarter and plays better in when it really counts. Duncan would score almost willingly on Nowitzki. Chamberlain would erase Howard..no competition.

by tenkaistar on Aug 3, 2011 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

rajon rondo got a vote for best current pg....

…are you SERIOUS?

"Some things you just can't question. Like you can't question why two plus two is four. So don't question it, don't try to look it up. I don't know who made it, all I know is it was put in my head that two plus two is four. So certain things happen. Why does it rain? Why am I so sexy? I don't know."
Shaq

by LeGarrette Blount's Right Fist on Aug 1, 2011 4:11 AM PDT reply actions

I myself really like Rondo

except for his inability to hit anything outside of 20ft

by thankyouforblaze on Aug 1, 2011 4:34 AM PDT up reply actions

he's top 5 at least

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 1, 2011 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

yes

but he’s 5th easily. can you imagine if paul/williams/rose/westbrook played for boston?

maybe even steve nash at that

by LeGarrette Blount's Right Fist on Aug 2, 2011 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions

i take rondo over westbrook

and depending on who else is on the team, over rose

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 3, 2011 6:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm shocked that Nash's name was nowhere near this list.

The only other MVP on the PG list, Rose, was a joke of an honor. Nash legitimately won it twice, back-to-back. His numbers have barely dipped with age, regardless of the revolving door in Phoenix.

Just goes to show that all these lists compiled by sports writers are simply popularity contests, rooted in the present moment. Nash isn’t the sexy choice, even though compared to all present PGs, he’s an artist among philistines. That’s not to say the competition is not solid, but Nash epitomizes the Point Guard position, and deserves more recognition than he’s given.

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Aug 6, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

d

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 9, 2011 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions

current

pg: cp3
sg: wade
sf: lebron
pf: dirk
c: howard

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 1, 2011 8:04 AM PDT reply actions

i see my list is the same with the national thought

i find that distressing

Steve Smith is my favorite Blazer of all time

by thomasikehara on Aug 1, 2011 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions

PG: Jellyroll Felton/Terry Porter
SG: Brandon Roy/ Clyde Drexler
SF: Gerald Wallace/ Kiki Vandeweghe
PF: LaMarcus/ Mo Lucas
C: Chris Johnson/ OURvidas Sabonis.

I will take polls seriously when the leaggue gets back to work.

by The Penguin on Aug 1, 2011 8:31 AM PDT reply actions

did you forget about Walton? he is arguable the one of the All time best Centers if healthy, absolutely the best PTB Center OAT.

"Every time I make one, it always feels like the first time," Roy said. "I was just so excited and so blessed to make a shot like that. It never gets old, it always feels like the first time. I was excited and the fans cheering, teammates jumping up and down."

by AtlBlzr on Aug 1, 2011 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

No.

by The Penguin on Aug 1, 2011 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

i forgot about walton as well...

but jeesh. the guy hasn’t played for Portland since the 60s.

Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.

by Net Ranger on Aug 4, 2011 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I would take the list as is except add Wilt for the GOAT team and Kobe if it were a Current in their prime.

If it’s current as of right now then Wade is a really good choice.

My PTB list…
Current/GOAT:

Felton/Porter
Matthews/Roy
GW/Clyde
LMA/Luke
Oden (please God!)/Walton

6th Man:
BRoy/Mercy-Mercy-Jerome Kersey!

by AtlBlzr on Aug 1, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

Hmmm...

PG: Chris Paul / Bob Cousy
2: Dwayne Wade / Michael Jordan
SF: Lebron James / Lebron James
PF: Pau Gasol / Tim Duncan
C: Dwight Howard / Bill Russell

by Hipster Olympic Team! on Aug 1, 2011 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

This is surprisingly easy for me.

ALL-TIME
C: Wilt Chamberlain
PF: Tim Duncan
SF: Larry Bird
SG: Michael Jordan
PG: Magic Johnson

CURRENT
C: Dwight Howard
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
SF: LeBron James
SG: Dwyane Wade
PG: Chris Paul

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Aug 2, 2011 1:06 AM PDT reply actions

GOAT in their prime would eat current for breakfast

Pau would make his little wimpy Euro move and Russ would block it to Larry, outlet to Magic, 2. If the fast break didn’t work, let Magic and Malone run the P+R… against CP and Dirk?? Yea, right… LeBron or DWade would have to help, and Larry and MJ would d-stroy them hitting open J’s all night… not even close…

And if you add the GOAT’s coaching staff and bench.. phew…. there have been a lot of great players in the NBA…

by Visionary2 on Aug 3, 2011 11:33 PM PDT reply actions

Why do you think there's been such a dip in talent?

I have the same impression that they don’t make ’em like they used to. I often wonder why that is.

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Aug 6, 2011 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Personally, I think a lot of folks unfairly sell the current lot of players short.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Aug 7, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Fair enough; so why do you think that opinion is so prevalent?

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Aug 7, 2011 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions

My guess is that much of it has to do with people being naturally nostalgic.

It’s the same way with music, film, television, et cetera. For example, I’m that way whenever I rant and rave about stuff from the ‘90s being better than things today. Yet, it’s not necessarily true that Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Alice in Chains are superior to bands like Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, or The White Stripes.

Basically, people who grew up watching basketball in the ’60s will usually like players from that era the most, people who grew up watching basketball in the ’70s will usually like players from that era the most, people who grew up watching basketball in the ’80s will usually like players from that era the most, and so on and so forth.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Aug 7, 2011 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure that's got a lot to do with it.

I’ve got several friends that only like they’re early stuff regardless of what band they’re talking about.

Could some of this also have to do with better defensive schemes and heavier fines for rough play? I’m not well educated on the evolution of basketball strategy, but I do know that it only used to be a $50 fine for punching a player in the face.

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Aug 7, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions

So....

you’re saying it’s not my fault i think Shawn Kemp is the best power forward of all time?

In all seriousness i would agree with you that people sell current NBA stars short. the NBA is picking people from a MUCH bigger talent pool these days than they were 30+ years ago. There was nobody comprable to Shaq or Yao or Dirk in the olden days of the NBA.

by moflow on Aug 7, 2011 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Players rely on athleticism now

A lot of players lack good fundamentals.

That’s why Jordan is GOAT, the joining of perfect fundamentals and athleticism.

by Leif Jensen on Aug 7, 2011 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I just want to mention that

at a glance i read “Goat in their prime woud eat curry for breakfast”

A statement which i agree with.

by moflow on Aug 7, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

The inception of the 3-point shot IMO

had a lot to do with it. These days, about all kids practice is treys and dunks, which is a big reason why so many players are fundamentally weak, don’t move without the ball, and can’t hit two out of three foul shots.

"Send lawyers, guns and money; the [nsfbe] has hit the fan." - Warren Zevon

by mexicoman on Aug 7, 2011 10:45 AM PDT reply actions

I'm only 25 and I still think GOAT would crush the current squad.

I don’t know how well Bill Russell would handle today’s game. I know he was a real winner in his time. But even still, I’d take GOAT easily. Subbing Shaq for Russell (and Shaq in his prime may not be better than Russell in his) and doesn’t it just seem like a mismatch at every position?

Although with Russell and Duncan playing help D for Bird and Magic… oh man. GOAT as it is. They’ve got scoring enough.

by Z-Bones on Aug 11, 2011 10:37 PM PDT reply actions