Agree with all of this. Mike was the better player with more potential during the draft. Sam had missed 2 full college seasons and even if he panned out there were going to be better centers in the league ( Kareem, Akeem, Mosses, Ewing etc). My point was Mike was a better player, had more upside, and did not have the monstrous injury risk. If the Trailblazers were only focused on Center, they should have traded for Sikma or someone if that ilk.
It’s all very impressive for the tallest guy in the NBA but seeing him steal the ball from a guard and lead the break with a behind the back pass is crazy.
It's his second '5x5', in his second season in the NBA. Olajuwon had six in his entire career.
Sure it wasn't Tony Kukoc with the Bulls? Or is the fact that he is only listed as 6'11" holding you back. He ran the point at 6"11"
Nah. Toni was ahead of his time and would finally get his love if he played today, but Dirk would be appreciated in any era bc he made it work regardless of where the game was at the time. That’s why I’m sticking with my original pick that it was the 14x All Star and former League MVP with the better FG and 3Pt % who was a game-changer. Dirk was tougher, could play in the post in addition to his perimeter shooting, slashing and dribble driving, and dominated the game at a level that made other teams envious.
Arguably, the 5 best players in the world right now were born outside the United States.
I am trying to figure out why because basketball is so huge in the United States. All I can think is that those other countries identify the top kids early on and train them at a higher level than the US with AAU.
Other than maybe Jayson Tatum, I could be convinced of that argument. I suppose it shouldn't be so surprising. There are a lot more people in the rest of the world combined than in the United States. You still aren't finding a single country with as much talent as the US.
