[Celtics3178Participant]

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.

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

 Last season

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

 Last season

[circumlocution75Participant]

 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……….

[circumlocution75Participant]

 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……….

[sweaterflexParticipant]

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.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

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.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

 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 

[mamadouParticipant]

 Yep 1 and 2 by a wide margin in the MVP vote.

[holefillers1Participant]

 Durant was 23 years old. I disagree

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

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).

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

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).

 

[mamadouParticipant]

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.

 

[mamadouParticipant]

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.

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 Kobe four years ago was better than Durant four years ago

[holefillers1Participant]

 Kobe four years ago was better than Durant four years ago

[holefillers1Participant]

 Durant was 23 years old. I disagree

[mamadouParticipant]

 Yep 1 and 2 by a wide margin in the MVP vote.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

 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 

[holefillers1Participant]

 It got to be last year or Barkley v Jordan

[holefillers1Participant]

 It got to be last year or Barkley v Jordan

[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). 

 

[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). 

 

[Oryan99Participant]

 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.

[Oryan99Participant]

 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.

[moximusParticipant]

Probably never, ’cause they are on the same team: Durant and Westbrook

[moximusParticipant]

Probably never, ’cause they are on the same team: Durant and Westbrook

[shug94Participant]

 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.

 

 

[shug94Participant]

 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.

 

 

[Author]

Posts