Who Will Win The NBA Championship? [Archive] - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 12:30 AM

There's usually five teams who have a legit shot at the championship every year. In no particular order I would those five teams are the defending champion Dallas Mavericks, the defending East champion Miami Heat, the former two time champion Los Angeles Lakers, the young up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Chicago Bulls.

I'll be a homer and say the Lakers :D

On a serious note I really think they can bounce back. Everything that I'm hearing is Kobe is feeling great. His knee according to sources and also his teammate Derek Fisher is in the best shape it's been in years. There have been reports that Kobe has been doing 360's and in between the legs dunks. He hasn't been able to do that in years. If Kobe and Gasol can get back to their 2010 form so can the Lakers. People are saying the Lakers are done which is fine with me, but it's just funny to me how people forget the Lakers won back to back championships just a year and a half ago. I just don't see how you can say a team is done after one failed playoff run. The Mavs beat the Spurs in the 2006 playoffs in the 1st round and people said they were done. The Spurs won the title the very next year.

Although my pick is the Lakers I wouldn't be shocked if the Mavs repeat or the Cheat win it.

The30YardSlant

11-30-2011, 12:32 AM

MarionBarberThe4th

11-30-2011, 01:21 AM

Heat.

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 04:16 AM

Oklahoma City. You could see their potential last year, and they are so incredibly young and athletic. The Lakers are on the downswing, Kobe clearly isnt what he once was and is entering the jumpshooting phase of his career that every great scorer eventually hits. Gasol, Odom and Artest can all see their best days in the rearview mirror. The Mavericks and Spurs are both very old and the Trailblazers don't have an identity at all. The Grizzlies will be interesting to watch, but IMO they are the Thunder with less top end talent. Very young and athletic, though.

The East is largely insignificant, as the Bulls don't have the firepower on offense to win the title and the Heat will never win a title with a bunch of scrubs standing around and watching Lebron, Wade and Bosh try to score 80+ combined every game. If they couldnt beat a Mavericks team that was outclassed athletically by a huge margin, they won't beat the up and coming Thunder. Everyone else is just playoff fodder in that conference.

Kobe has clearly declined? He averaged two less points than he did the year before and that's only because he played significantly less minutes. He hasn't declined significantly as you claim. Kobe actually led the league in points per minute at almost 30 a game. Gasol although he played poorly in the playoffs still had a very solid season 18 points and 10 boards. He's still in his prime. Odom had the best season of his career last year and won 6th man of the year. They still have Bynum who is one of the league's top centers when healthy. Like I said you can't write off the Lakers acted one failed playoff run they won two NBA championships for a reason. They're still a great team and not just gonna fall off.

As for the Thunder they are way overrated IMO. Yeah they made the West Finals, but then they got smacked by Dallas in 5. The only reason they made it was because they had an easy road. They played a very under talented Denver team who doesn't have one single all star on their roster and a Memphis team playing without Rudy Gay. OKC has issues of their own. Their bench outside of Harden isn't very good, they're undersized, and don't have a low post threat. They also have the whole Westbrook/Durant issue. Westbrook is a ball hog and takes way too many shots.

Ren

11-30-2011, 05:02 AM

The short season will favor older teams like the Mavs and Spurs, if the Mavs re-sign Chandler i say Mavs repeat

kev8822

11-30-2011, 05:30 AM

It will be interesting to see who goes where in free agency. Lakers want to add Baron Davis and Rashard Lewis when they get the amnesty cut.

I also want to see if the talk about Kobe's knees are all BS or true. He went to Germany and had some procedure done. Steven A Smith said he was jumping out of the gym when he saw him.

BraveHeartFan

11-30-2011, 08:13 AM

I'm going with Mavs repeating, tenatively, at this point.

I do think my Oklahoma City Thunder are going to make some noise but I'm not sure if they're quite ready yet to take that next step to become champions.

I hope they are.

Joe Realist

11-30-2011, 09:26 AM

Bulls or Heat

Keystone_Heavy

11-30-2011, 10:19 AM

I'll say the Heat.

I don't believe in OKC. They just seem like the Houston Texans of the NBA. They have been a trendy pick for like 3 years now and have done nothing but establish themselves as the 4th best(or so) team in the Western conference each year. Yeah they made the conference finals last year, but ***** did they have an easy road there. I'm just starting to get tired of the hype.

I hope my Clippers get a 7th or 8th seed though.

casmith07

11-30-2011, 10:27 AM

The Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

I think it's hilarious people are now saying the Mavs can't win without Chandler. I thought Dirk was the greatest of all time.

JackWagon

11-30-2011, 10:47 AM

West -

LAkers - Old and slow with a new coach ... (yea Kobe is gonna love this) ... i predict Kobe gets brown fired.

Mavs - Old ... but if they get chandler may be the team to beat.

Spurs - Old ... but still have Timmy.

OKC - great young team but i hate their point guard. Takes too many shots.

East -

Heatles - I wish nothing but doom and gloom on this group.

Celtics - Older than the LAkers

Bulls - Need someone besides their PG to make buckets he cant do it alone ... even Jordan needed a team.

trickblue

11-30-2011, 11:30 AM

The Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

I think it's hilarious people are now saying the Mavs can't win without Chandler. I thought Dirk was the greatest of all time.

Mavs will be fine... and they'll fill any holes and be in the mix again this year although I doubt they win it all... I'm thinkin' Heat/Thunder finals...

Dirk isn't the greatest of all time... that's Bill Russell, but Dirk is an NBA great... and a certain Hall of Famer...

Manwiththeplan

11-30-2011, 12:21 PM

The Big 3 will win it all.

Amar'e
Melo
CP 3

JackWagon

11-30-2011, 01:24 PM

The Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

I think it's hilarious people are now saying the Mavs can't win without Chandler. I thought Dirk was the greatest of all time.

Dirk is the greatest Maverick of all time ... for sure. Name someone better.

Stautner

11-30-2011, 02:09 PM

The Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

I think it's hilarious people are now saying the Mavs can't win without Chandler. I thought Dirk was the greatest of all time.

If you are saying people call Dirk the greatest Maverick, that is correct. If you are saying people call Dirk the greatest baseketball player, I don't think anyone is saying that. Certainly if anyone has they represent a micor-fraction of fans and not any common way of thinking.

As for needing Chandler, no great player can do it all alone. Not Kobe or Jordan or Jabbar or Russell or Chamberlain. Nobody has ever claimed Dirk could do it alone either. Having a physical presance in the middle was always a weak spot for the Mavs before Chandler, so why would anyone take it as a negative toward Dirk to say we need that presence back?

casmith07

11-30-2011, 02:13 PM

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 02:25 PM

Mavs will be fine... and they'll fill any holes and be in the mix again this year although I doubt they win it all... I'm thinkin' Heat/Thunder finals...

Dirk isn't the greatest of all time... that's Bill Russell, but Dirk is an NBA great... and a certain Hall of Famer...

Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time.

Stautner

11-30-2011, 02:34 PM

There are certainly people on this very forum that said Dirk was the greatest PF of all time. But now all of a sudden the greatest needs Chandler to win another title.

If they can keep most of that team together, at their age, with a shortened season, it will help them compete.

Again, I don't get your point about needing Chandler. Regardless of how anyone ranks Dirk's "greatness", when has it ever been said the greats didn't need help? Besides, nobody is saying Chandler is bigger piece of the puzzle than Dirk, they are merely recognizing the Mavs need for a strong inside presence.

ABQCOWBOY

11-30-2011, 02:36 PM

I think that it's going to be interesting this year. Older teams are going to have an advantage this year because the NBA is not going to play a full season. That's a big advantage for teams like Boston and the Lakers.

I think that the comments on Kobe slowing down are not as accurate as many may think. Kobe's stats were down last year but he played fewer minutes. His actual points per minute lead the league last year. I think that the Lakers absolutely need a point guard. If they can acquire Paul or Williams, get Gasol over his love sickness breakup issues, keep Bynum and Kobe intact, I think they are the odds on favorites to win the West.

In the East, I think it's the Heat again. To much talent not to be the favorites IMO.

ABQCOWBOY

11-30-2011, 02:42 PM

Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time.

Jordan was great, and I'm a North Carolina Tar Heel fan, but I don't think he was the greatest of all time.

Stautner

11-30-2011, 03:06 PM

Jordan was great, and I'm a North Carolina Tar Heel fan, but I don't think he was the greatest of all time.

I guess this isn't the place to start this discussion, but who would you say is?

I have a hard time naming a "best of all time". Jordan is certainly among the handful of names I would put in the discussion, along with Jabbar, Russell, Chamberlain, Bird, Magic, Robertson and Russell. Jordan's rings make it pretty hard to argue against him, especially considering he had less help around him than most of the others.

ABQCOWBOY

11-30-2011, 03:14 PM

I guess this isn't the place to start this discussion, but who would you say is?

I have a hard time naming a "best of all time". Jordan is certainly among the handful of names I would put in the discussion, along with Jabbar, Russell, Chamberlain, Bird, Magic, Robertson and Russell. Jordan's rings make it pretty hard to argue against him, especially considering he had less help around him than most of the others.

I think it was Jabbar but certainly a strong case can be made for Russell, Chamberlain and Robertson IMO. If Kobe continues, he too might enter into the discussion.

juck

11-30-2011, 03:22 PM

Go Mavs Go!! Get ur rings in front of the Cheat on Xmas hahahahaha

juck

11-30-2011, 03:23 PM

Bill Russell has 11 rings. lol. He may be a candidate for the best Center ever Id say lol. Jordan is the best Guard ever.

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 03:26 PM

Go Mavs Go!! Get ur rings in front of the Cheat on Xmas hahahahaha

They may not. The NBA is gonna make a new schedule.

EMMITTnROY

11-30-2011, 04:04 PM

I don't believe in OKC. They just seem like the Houston Texans of the NBA. They have been a trendy pick for like 3 years now and have done nothing but establish themselves as the 4th best(or so) team in the Western conference each year. Yeah they made the conference finals last year, but ***** did they have an easy road there. I'm just starting to get tired of the hype.
HAHAHAHA!! What?!? Trendy pick for 3 years now?? Is this a joke? You do realize that they have exceeded expectations each of the past 3 years, right? Then you crap on them getting to the WCF?? With a team full of 22 year olds?? And let's not pretend like the Mavs killed them-- the Thunder was in every single one of those games and should've won a couple more of them. Inexperience is the ONLY reason they lost to the Mavs.

I'm a Thunder fan, but this isn't even a biased opinion that I'm spouting. Your post is just all kinds of ridiculous.

ABQCOWBOY

11-30-2011, 04:20 PM

I_WGI3y2jqM

The NBA. I love this game!

Stautner

11-30-2011, 04:25 PM

I think it was Jabbar but certainly a strong case can be made for Russell, Chamberlain and Robertson IMO. If Kobe continues, he too might enter into the discussion.

I assume you would put Jordan in the discussion with these guys?

ABQCOWBOY

11-30-2011, 04:30 PM

I assume you would put Jordan in the discussion with these guys?

He would be in the discussion.

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 04:49 PM

HAHAHAHA!! What?!? Trendy pick for 3 years now?? Is this a joke? You do realize that they have exceeded expectations each of the past 3 years, right? Then you crap on them getting to the WCF?? With a team full of 22 year olds?? And let's not pretend like the Mavs killed them-- the Thunder was in every single one of those games and should've won a couple more of them. Inexperience is the ONLY reason they lost to the Mavs.

I'm a Thunder fan, but this isn't even a biased opinion that I'm spouting. Your post is just all kinds of ridiculous.

The Thunder did have an easy road last year you have to admit. The Nuggets who don't have one all star on their roster. Denver is basically a team full of role players and then the 8th seeded Grizzlies who were playing without Rudy Gay. Whether the Thunder were in the games or not they still lost in 5 games. They didn't lose because of inexperience they lost to a team that was simply better. The Mavs have better coaching, better depth, and the best player in the world Dirk Nowitzki.

kristie

11-30-2011, 04:59 PM

i'll say it's a toss-up between the mavs & the thunder. i like both teams.

GloryDaysRBack

11-30-2011, 06:20 PM

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 06:40 PM

anyone who thinks the older teams have an advantage better think twice..there are going to be many more back 2back games and there are going to be back 2 back 2 backs..old teams are at a MAJOR disadvantage with the compacted schedule..

Heat v Thunder finals

Thunder aren't making the Finals with Westbrook taking more shots than Durant.

If they can correct that problem and if Ibaka can develop into that low post threat they desperately need then they can win the West. That's two big ifs. Just one of many intriguing NBA story lines.

DFWJC

11-30-2011, 06:57 PM

The Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

I think it's hilarious people are now saying the Mavs can't win without Chandler. I thought Dirk was the greatest of all time.
You mean the greatest Mav, I assume. He is easily that.

But yes, they would be very good without Tyson, but I think he (or someone similar) is needed for them to be a top 4 team. In today's NBA, you must have 2-3 very good to great players (plus a strong supporting cast) to win it.

Risen Star

11-30-2011, 07:00 PM

Jordan was great, and I'm a North Carolina Tar Heel fan, but I don't think he was the greatest of all time.

I do.

DFWJC

11-30-2011, 07:02 PM

Jordan was great, and I'm a North Carolina Tar Heel fan, but I don't think he was the greatest of all time.

That's definitely a question that could never have a "for sure" answer.

Jordan has to be considered in the discussion though.
Six rings, as clutch as anyone...ever, a regular all-defensive team member, and, of course, one the greatest scorers of all time.

Anyway, we got off topic.

juck

11-30-2011, 08:52 PM

We get Dwight Howard. Here comes multiple Jewelry.

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 09:08 PM

We get Dwight Howard. Here comes multiple Jewelry.

Dallas doesn't have any pieces Orlando would want. They don't have any cap space.

Keystone_Heavy

11-30-2011, 09:12 PM

My Clippers should sign Howard. Griffen and Howard down low? Then we trade Kamen for Iguodala and put him at SF. Awwwwwww ****!

juck

11-30-2011, 10:40 PM

Dallas doesn't have any pieces Orlando would want. They don't have any cap space.
If Howard wants to go to Dallas he will. All he has to do is refuse the trade elsewhere that said its all posturing now.

Mike Fisher:Tyson is using the #Nets. DHoward is using the #Mavs. Caron is using the #Heat. It's the game of free agency. Dont panic, folks.about 12 minutes ago

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 10:43 PM

If Howard wants to go to Dallas he will. All he has to do is refuse the trade elsewhere that said its all posturing now.

Mike Fisher:Tyson is using the #Nets. DHoward is using the #Mavs. Caron is using the #Heat. It's the game of free agency. Dont panic, folks.about 12 minutes ago

Dude Dwight cannot sign with Dallas because they have NO cap space. The only way would be a sign and trade. Orlando won't trade with Dallas because they don't have any pieces that Orlando would want, but go ahead keep living in your fantasy world.

juck

11-30-2011, 10:46 PM

Dude Dwight cannot sign with Dallas because they have NO cap space. The only way would be a sign and trade. Orlando won't trade with Dallas because they don't have any pieces that Orlando would want, but go ahead keep living in your fantasy world.
LOL U may be surprised. Howard wants to play with the best player in the NBA at the moment. And thats not Kobe anymore. Thats a tall lanky white guy from Germany. Everyone who is a serious NBA er knows this. If you watched the playoffs you know that as well.I havent seen a playoff performance like that since Jordan.Absolute domination when it counted the most.

Cowboys&LakersFan

11-30-2011, 10:47 PM

LOL U may be surprised. Howard wants to play with the best player in the NBA at the moment. And thats not Kobe anymore. Thats a tall lanky white guy from Germany. Everyone who is a serious NBA er knows this. If you watched the playoffs you know that as well.I havent seen a playoff performance like that since Jordan.Absolute domination when it counted the most.

I'm not disputing that. I said in another thread Dirk deserves the best player title because he won the title. However at the end of the day the Dallas Mavericks don't have any pieces that the Orlando Magic would want. Unless you wanna trade Dirk for Dwight which won't do anything for either franchise.

juck

11-30-2011, 10:54 PM

I'm not disputing that. I said in another thread Dirk deserves the best player title because he won the title. However at the end of the day the Dallas Mavericks don't have any pieces that the Orlando Magic would want. Unless you wanna trade Dirk for Dwight which won't do anything for either franchise.
Taking Hedo contract would be huge. Giving then Haywood gives them a starting center. Give them Roddy,etc... 3 #1s and IF Dwight demands Dallas he goes. Dwight can say well then Ill stay and walk in June.Then Orlando gets nothing. Dont doubt Cuban.

casmith07

11-30-2011, 11:23 PM

Dwight goes to Miami or Los Angeles.

It's really that simple.

kristie

11-30-2011, 11:37 PM

Dwight goes to Miami or Los Angeles.

It's really that simple.

but which LA team do you see him playing for? lakers or clippers?

Cowboys&LakersFan

12-01-2011, 12:37 AM

Dwight goes to Miami or Los Angeles.

It's really that simple.

He's not going to Miami unless the Heat trade LeBron James. Highly doubt they do that. I would say the Lakers are the clear favorite to land Dwight, there's a slight chance he signs with the Nets, Clippers, or resigns in Orlando.

Cowboys&LakersFan

12-01-2011, 12:47 AM

but which LA team do you see him playing for? lakers or clippers?

I highly doubt Dwight would choose signing with the Clippers, who have been the laughing stock of the NBA pretty much every year in their existence over signing with the Lakers, the greatest NBA franchise of all time.

Gator88

12-01-2011, 01:54 AM

I highly doubt Dwight would choose signing with the Clippers, who have been the laughing stock of the NBA pretty much every year in their existence over signing with the Lakers, the greatest NBA franchise of all time.

How would the lakers sign him with Kobe taking almost 30 million in cap room and Gasol taking another 20 million?

kristie

12-01-2011, 02:00 AM

How would the lakers sign him with Kobe taking almost 30 million in cap room and Gasol taking another 20 million?

kobe & gasol would have to restructure their contracts to create cap space, which i don't see either one doing.

Cowboys&LakersFan

12-01-2011, 02:43 AM

How would the lakers sign him with Kobe taking almost 30 million in cap room and Gasol taking another 20 million?

Sign and trade.

kobe & gasol would have to restructure their contracts to create cap space, which i don't see either one doing.

They don't have to do that, but if they did of course they would if it meant becoming the title favorite. Dwight will most likely be sign and traded to L.A.

juck

12-01-2011, 09:27 AM

Sign and trade.

They don't have to do that, but if they did of course they would if it meant becoming the title favorite. Dwight will most likely be sign and traded to L.A.
Not. The Fakers are done.

Chocolate Lab

12-01-2011, 10:10 AM

As for the Thunder they are way overrated IMO. Yeah they made the West Finals, but then they got smacked by Dallas in 5.
And how did the Lakers do against Dallas last year?

And laugh it up, but Marc Stein says the Clippers might be the leaders on Howard's list as long as they keep Griffin.

There are certainly people on this very forum that said Dirk was the greatest PF of all time. But now all of a sudden the greatest needs Chandler to win another title.

Guess it can't be Karl Malone, either. He didn't even win one. :rolleyes:

So who is the greatest PF of all time?

kev8822

12-01-2011, 10:23 AM

kobe & gasol would have to restructure their contracts to create cap space, which i don't see either one doing.

No they don't. NBA did not institue a hard cap. You can re-sign your own guys.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 10:41 AM

No they don't. NBA did not institue a hard cap. You can re-sign your own guys.

They weren't talking about making room to sign their own guys, they were talking about making room to sign a new player.

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 11:24 AM

And how did the Lakers do against Dallas last year?

And laugh it up, but Marc Stein says the Clippers might be the leaders on Howard's list as long as they keep Griffin.

Guess it can't be Karl Malone, either. He didn't even win one. :rolleyes:

So who is the greatest PF of all time?

Malone in his prime would be a consideration. Malone was one of the best PF I ever saw. I didn't really like the guy but I give him his do. IMO, Duncan was the best PF I ever saw. JMO of course.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 11:30 AM

Malone in his prime would be a consideration. Malone was one of the best PF I ever saw. I didn't really like the guy but I give him his do. IMO, Duncan was the best PF I ever saw. JMO of course.

Elvin Hayes woud have to be in the discussion.

Anyone for Kurt Rambis?

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 11:36 AM

Elvin Hayes woud have to be in the discussion.

Anyone for Kurt Rambis?

Your right Ernie. Wes Unseld played center for the Bullets teams. I forgot about that.

Temo

12-01-2011, 11:50 AM

Miami Heat.

Cowboys&LakersFan

12-01-2011, 12:55 PM

And how did the Lakers do against Dallas last year?

And laugh it up, but Marc Stein says the Clippers might be the leaders on Howard's list as long as they keep Griffin.

Guess it can't be Karl Malone, either. He didn't even win one. :rolleyes:

So who is the greatest PF of all time?

Griffin will leave too when he's a free agent, no one wants to play for that loser franchise. The Lakers may have got swept, but at least they made the playoffs unlike the loser Clippers.

:laugh2: @ anyone who thinks Dwight would chose the Clippers the laughing stock of basketball over the Lakers the greatest franchise in NBA history.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 01:01 PM

Your right Ernie. Wes Unseld played center for the Bullets teams. I forgot about that.

Yep. Unseld wasn't the scoring presence under the basket that Hayes was, but he was the center and the underneath muscle.

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 01:18 PM

Yep. Unseld wasn't the scoring presence under the basket that Hayes was, but he was the center and the underneath muscle.

Good rebounder too.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Good rebounder too.

Yep - between Unseld and Hayes they had the boards pretty well covered. Unseld could set a mean pick too. Like running into a brick wall.

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 01:38 PM

Yep - between Unseld and Hayes they had the boards pretty well covered. Unseld could set a mean pick too. Like running into a brick wall.

Yep, that was a good team. I remember them well. They also had Dandridge who could score, Kevin Grevey, Greg Ballard and Phil Chenier, although, I think he was injured in their championship year. I think Mitch Kupchack was also on that team.

I think they beat Seattle in that Championship Series. That was also a good team with Sikma, DJ, Downtown Freddie Brown and Gus Williams.

As I recall, their big rivals, at the time, were the Sixers. Those were the Dr. J, Dawkins, Doug Collins, Geroge McGinnis teams. What's really interesting about that team was that they had Henry Bibby (Mike Bibby), Mike Dunleavy (Mike Dunleavy Jr.) and Jellybean Bryant (Kobe Bryant) on that team as well.

I loved that era of basketball.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 01:58 PM

Yep, that was a good team. I remember them well. They also had Dandridge who could score, Kevin Grevey, Greg Ballard and Phil Chenier, although, I think he was injured in their championship year. I think Mitch Kupchack was also on that team.

I think they beat Seattle in that Championship Series. That was also a good team with Sikma, DJ, Downtown Freddie Brown and Gus Williams.

As I recall, their big rivals, at the time, were the Sixers. Those were the Dr. J, Dawkins, Doug Collins, Geroge McGinnis teams. What's really interesting about that team was that they had Henry Bibby (Mike Bibby), Mike Dunleavy (Mike Dunleavy Jr.) and Jellybean Bryant (Kobe Bryant) on that team as well.

I loved that era of basketball.

Great job pulling all those names out. I tend to think of Grevey, Kupchak etc as coming after Hayes and Unseld, but they were young guys coming in late in Hayes/Unseld's careers.

I recall Dave Bing playing with the Bullets a few years in the 1970's as well, Had forgot about Dandridge on the Bullets. My memories of him are more tied to the Bucks in the Lew Alcindor days.

JackWagon

12-01-2011, 02:01 PM

Magic
Bird
Russell
Chamberlain
Jordan
Robertson

Chamberlain is my pick as the best ever. They changed the rules cause of him. They didnt change any rules for the others.

When Wilt Chamberlain was in high school, he had a unique way of shooting free-throws. He would stand at the top of the key, throw the ball up toward the basket, take two steps, jump toward the rim and jam the ball through the net. Doing this resulted in basketball rules to state that a player cannot cross the plane of the free-throw line when shooting a free-throw.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 02:11 PM

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 04:01 PM

Great job pulling all those names out. I tend to think of Grevey, Kupchak etc as coming after Hayes and Unseld, but they were young guys coming in late in Hayes/Unseld's careers.

I recall Dave Bing playing with the Bullets a few years in the 1970's as well, Had forgot about Dandridge on the Bullets. My memories of him are more tied to the Bucks in the Lew Alcindor days.

Yeah, I didn't really watch Basketball much prior to say 74 or so. I watched some but the Bullets and the Big E were the first Basketball team that I really liked in the NBA. Probably why I have such fond memories of that era.

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 04:03 PM

Good list, but I have to question not listing Jabbar.

I agree. I would also consider Hakeem Olajuwon in the discussion. Very underated player IMO.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 04:22 PM

Yeah, I didn't really watch Basketball much prior to say 74 or so. I watched some but the Bullets and the Big E were the first Basketball team that I really liked in the NBA. Probably why I have such fond memories of that era.
I only started paying attention to the NBA a year or two before you did. The Bucks with Alcindor, Oscar Roberston, Dandridge, Lucius Allen etc .. were my first team - natural for a kid to latch on to the successful team of the time, especially considering there was no local team, or even a successful Texas franchise at the time. I also jumped on the Bullet bandwagon. Of course, back in those days you didn't get much basketball on TV and the most successful teams were the only ones that got much media coverage at all.

I agree. I would also consider Hakeem Olajuwon in the discussion. Very underated player IMO.

I agree. He was easily the big key in the Rockets success in the 1990's. Great rebounder, great scorer, and one of the truly great shot blockers to ever play the game. Didn't have a big ego either, and didn't mind dishing the ball off when he was covered.

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 05:23 PM

I only started paying attention to the NBA a year or two before you did. The Bucks with Alcindor, Oscar Roberston, Dandridge, Lucius Allen etc .. were my first team - natural for a kid to latch on to the successful team of the time, especially considering there was no local team, or even a successful Texas franchise at the time. I also jumped on the Bullet bandwagon. Of course, back in those days you didn't get much basketball on TV and the most successful teams were the only ones that got much media coverage at all.

This is exactly right. I remember when Jabbar got traded to L.A. Not sure if you did this when you were in school or not Ernie but when I was a boy, we had what was called Sustained Silent Reading in Language Arts. All the boys would make a made rush for the Sports Illustrated mags and of course, everybody wanted Football or Baseball. What was left was usually basketball and other sports. Well, I sat to the back of the room and so I was always about last to get to the mags. I remember getting the Sports Illustrated issue that covered Jabbar getting traded to L.A. You know what they say, "You race with whatcha got." It's funny, I can remember that Sports Illustrated in my mind like it was yesterday.

I agree. He was easily the big key in the Rockets success in the 1990's. Great rebounder, great scorer, and one of the truly great shot blockers to ever play the game. Didn't have a big ego either, and didn't mind dishing the ball off when he was covered.

Yes, he was, in many ways, the closest thing to what I admire most in any player, any sport. I was never a fan of the Rockets because I was a Laker fan and the Rockets were rivals but I always like The Dream. He was just fun to watch play. He was so good and he made everything look easy. He was a great player.

Stautner

12-01-2011, 05:34 PM

This is exactly right. I remember when Jabbar got traded to L.A. Not sure if you did this when you were in school or not Ernie but when I was a boy, we had what was called Sustained Silent Reading in Language Arts. All the boys would make a made rush for the Sports Illustrated mags and of course, everybody wanted Football or Baseball. What was left was usually basketball and other sports. Well, I sat to the back of the room and so I was always about last to get to the mags. I remember getting the Sports Illustrated issue that covered Jabbar getting traded to L.A. You know what they say, "You race with whatcha got." It's funny, I can remember that Sports Illustrated in my mind like it was yesterday.

Yes, he was, in many ways, the closest thing to what I admire most in any player, any sport. I was never a fan of the Rockets because I was a Laker fan and the Rockets were rivals but I always like The Dream. He was just fun to watch play. He was so good and he made everything look easy. He was a great player.

You must have had a better school than I did. We didn't have access to SI.

I actually remember watching some of the NBA playoffs late at night after the evening news because the networks wouldn't show the games during prime time. I imagine those must have been weekend games because I'm sure my parents wouldn't have let me stay up that late on school nights.

I was a big Laker fan in the 1980's - loved the Celtics too, but always rooted for the Lakers. It had nothing to do with any love I ever had for the Lakers, but it was about how they played the game. Both the Lakers and Celtics in those days played great team basket ball. Different styles, but both offenses geared toward moving the ball and getting the highest percentage shot. I always hated when people dismissed the Lakers as just a run and gun team because if you knew the game you understood that it was a controlled break, not just pushing downcourt and throwing up whatever shot they could get. People filled the lanes, always with a trailer following the play, and if the fast break wasn't there they would set up the offense and still had one of the top half court offenses in the game.

Funny thing is in today's game where there are so many great athletes that can run with sprinters speed and jump through the roof, and where the 3 point play is standard in the offense rather than an ocassional weapon, scoring in the NBA is actually down from those days. Too much emphasis on one on one offense and flair and flash and not enough on team play.

Cowboys&LakersFan

12-01-2011, 06:12 PM

Talk about going off topic. :laugh2:

ABQCOWBOY

12-01-2011, 08:16 PM

You must have had a better school than I did. We didn't have access to SI.

I actually remember watching some of the NBA playoffs late at night after the evening news because the networks wouldn't show the games during prime time. I imagine those must have been weekend games because I'm sure my parents wouldn't have let me stay up that late on school nights.

I was a big Laker fan in the 1980's - loved the Celtics too, but always rooted for the Lakers. It had nothing to do with any love I ever had for the Lakers, but it was about how they played the game. Both the Lakers and Celtics in those days played great team basket ball. Different styles, but both offenses geared toward moving the ball and getting the highest percentage shot. I always hated when people dismissed the Lakers as just a run and gun team because if you knew the game you understood that it was a controlled break, not just pushing downcourt and throwing up whatever shot they could get. People filled the lanes, always with a trailer following the play, and if the fast break wasn't there they would set up the offense and still had one of the top half court offenses in the game.

Funny thing is in today's game where there are so many great athletes that can run with sprinters speed and jump through the roof, and where the 3 point play is standard in the offense rather than an ocassional weapon, scoring in the NBA is actually down from those days. Too much emphasis on one on one offense and flair and flash and not enough on team play.

William B. Travis Elementary School. Our teachers used to bring them to school. I guess we were lucky to have good teachers.