Last Time the two best players in the world faced each other in the finals???

This topic contains 28 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by holefillers1 10 years, 1 month ago.

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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:20am #63991

Celtics3178
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When is the last time the legit best two players in the world played each other in the finals? Only times I can think of recently is Shaq vs AI and Magic VS Jordan am I missing any? Does this have the chance to be one of the best finals in recent history possibly the best of the 2000’s era? I expect a high scoring highlight reel from both squads and as a fan could not have dreamed up a better scenario for the finals. Does this bring back the Lebron Villin everyone loves Steph. Just wondering if people are as excited as I am about this Finals and if anyone feels the same way.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:26am #1068383

CameronCrazy11
Participant
Last season
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:26am #1068262

CameronCrazy11
Participant
Last season
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:36am #1068389

circumlocution75
Participant
It happens a Lot actually….. this is the NBA…….. It’s Team game but the Best "Teams" are the Best TEams b/c they have the Best players in the World……….
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:36am #1068268

circumlocution75
Participant
It happens a Lot actually….. this is the NBA…….. It’s Team game but the Best "Teams" are the Best TEams b/c they have the Best players in the World……….
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 8:31am #1068296

sweaterflex
Participant
The best player playing the second best in the Finals is probably more rare than it should be due to conference alignment. In 2007 LeBron versus Duncan may qualify depending on how you value Duncan’s defense versus Wade, Dirk and Kobe’s offense at the time. In 2001, AI was no higher than 4th (behind Shaq, Duncan, and KG, and probably Dirk).

The Bulls-Jazz finals of 97 and 98 probably qualify, Malone got the MVP one of those years (if undeserved), and Shaq wasn’t at his peak. In 94 I would say two of the five best played (I would rank Hakeem #1 that year, Shaq #3). In 93 Barkley was probably the third best behind Jordan and Hakeem. The Lakers-Celtics finals of the 80s are the best example of #1 vs. #2.

The 70s seem very strange in retrospect, Kareem is clearly the best player, but number #2 alternated between old Wilt, Bob McAdoo, Dr. J (most dominant in the ABA), and mostly injured Bill Walton. It’s almost embarrassing in hindsight that Kareem doesn’t have more championships.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 8:31am #1068417

sweaterflex
Participant
The best player playing the second best in the Finals is probably more rare than it should be due to conference alignment. In 2007 LeBron versus Duncan may qualify depending on how you value Duncan’s defense versus Wade, Dirk and Kobe’s offense at the time. In 2001, AI was no higher than 4th (behind Shaq, Duncan, and KG, and probably Dirk).

The Bulls-Jazz finals of 97 and 98 probably qualify, Malone got the MVP one of those years (if undeserved), and Shaq wasn’t at his peak. In 94 I would say two of the five best played (I would rank Hakeem #1 that year, Shaq #3). In 93 Barkley was probably the third best behind Jordan and Hakeem. The Lakers-Celtics finals of the 80s are the best example of #1 vs. #2.

The 70s seem very strange in retrospect, Kareem is clearly the best player, but number #2 alternated between old Wilt, Bob McAdoo, Dr. J (most dominant in the ABA), and mostly injured Bill Walton. It’s almost embarrassing in hindsight that Kareem doesn’t have more championships.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 9:33am #1068316

BasterdInABasket
Participant
2012 too? I think it was Lebron-KD 1-2 by then. Had Durant surpassed Kobe by then? Seems like more than four years ago
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- Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 9:45am #1068330
  
  mamadou
  Participant
  Yep 1 and 2 by a wide margin in the MVP vote.
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  - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 10:06am #1068344
    
    holefillers1
    Participant
    Durant was 23 years old. I disagree
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    - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 1:56pm #1068420
      
      ItsVictorOladipo
      Participant
      Despite being 23, Durant was still widely considered the second best player in the league.
      Kareem was considered a top 2 player in the league from his rookie year, at the age of 22. Bob McAdoo was also considered a top 2 player in the league from the age of 22 (along with a prime Kareem). Moses Malone and MJ were both considered top 2 players in the NBA from the age of 23 (MJ along with Magic).
      
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    - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 1:56pm #1068540
      
      ItsVictorOladipo
      Participant
      Despite being 23, Durant was still widely considered the second best player in the league.
      Kareem was considered a top 2 player in the league from his rookie year, at the age of 22. Bob McAdoo was also considered a top 2 player in the league from the age of 22 (along with a prime Kareem). Moses Malone and MJ were both considered top 2 players in the NBA from the age of 23 (MJ along with Magic).
      
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    - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 2:21pm #1068552
      
      mamadou
      Participant
      He was already 3 times scoring champ, good enough to sweep the mavs, destroy the last decent team of a 33yo Kobe and beat the spurs in 6 without homecourt advantage.
      Disagree all you want.
      
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    - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 2:21pm #1068432
      
      mamadou
      Participant
      He was already 3 times scoring champ, good enough to sweep the mavs, destroy the last decent team of a 33yo Kobe and beat the spurs in 6 without homecourt advantage.
      Disagree all you want.
      
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      - Posted on: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 6:28am #1068650
        
        holefillers1
        Participant
        Kobe four years ago was better than Durant four years ago
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      - Posted on: Wed, 06/01/2016 - 6:28am #1068771
        
        holefillers1
        Participant
        Kobe four years ago was better than Durant four years ago
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  - Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 10:06am #1068465
    
    holefillers1
    Participant
    Durant was 23 years old. I disagree
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- Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 9:45am #1068451
  
  mamadou
  Participant
  Yep 1 and 2 by a wide margin in the MVP vote.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 9:33am #1068437

BasterdInABasket
Participant
2012 too? I think it was Lebron-KD 1-2 by then. Had Durant surpassed Kobe by then? Seems like more than four years ago
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 10:07am #1068346

holefillers1
Participant
It got to be last year or Barkley v Jordan
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 10:07am #1068467

holefillers1
Participant
It got to be last year or Barkley v Jordan
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 2:32pm #1068554

Hype Machine
I actually think Curry is turning into a Villian. He seems to be getting more heat lately, and Lebron has been pretty much off the radar.
There is nothing more fickle than NBA fans and Media. They can love, and then hate someone, and then love someone again in virtually no time.
Guys like Lebron, Westbrook, Kobe etc have turned from chocolate truffles into orphanage gruel more times than I can remember.
The same fate awaits Curry. It won’t be love before people are blasting him for some apparently stupid decision (that wasn’t even a big deal in reality).

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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 2:32pm #1068434

Hype Machine
I actually think Curry is turning into a Villian. He seems to be getting more heat lately, and Lebron has been pretty much off the radar.
There is nothing more fickle than NBA fans and Media. They can love, and then hate someone, and then love someone again in virtually no time.
Guys like Lebron, Westbrook, Kobe etc have turned from chocolate truffles into orphanage gruel more times than I can remember.
The same fate awaits Curry. It won’t be love before people are blasting him for some apparently stupid decision (that wasn’t even a big deal in reality).

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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 3:12pm #1068560

Oryan99
Participant
If we’re saying that Curry was not yet a top two player last season, then it would be 2012 with a KD- LeBron matchup.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 3:12pm #1068440

Oryan99
Participant
If we’re saying that Curry was not yet a top two player last season, then it would be 2012 with a KD- LeBron matchup.
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 3:15pm #1068567

moximus
Participant
Probably never, ’cause they are on the same team: Durant and Westbrook
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 3:15pm #1068446

moximus
Participant
Probably never, ’cause they are on the same team: Durant and Westbrook
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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:08pm #1068641

shug94
Participant
How about Dirk and LeBron a few years ago?

I think the better question might be ‘when were the top two players NOT involved’. Perhaps in 2000 you could argue that Shaq is number 1, then 2 to 6 were Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant in some order. Depending on your order it might or might not include the number 2 player.

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Posted on: Tue, 05/31/2016 - 7:08pm #1068521

shug94
Participant
How about Dirk and LeBron a few years ago?

I think the better question might be ‘when were the top two players NOT involved’. Perhaps in 2000 you could argue that Shaq is number 1, then 2 to 6 were Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant in some order. Depending on your order it might or might not include the number 2 player.

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