[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

The NBA’s top 75 list of course generated a ton of debate. Overall I thought the list was pretty solid with a few notable exceptions. Here are the guys I think definitely got snubbed. I know there was an unwritten rule that anyone on the original top 50 had to be included. I’m breaking that rule here. Of course, If you add one you have to subtract one which I did as well.

In: Dwight Howard Out Bill Walton
As much as I hate to say it Walton is, at least in my estimation, the least deserving member of the list. Sure, he is a hell of a likeable and fun-loving guy, had great seasons when healthy, was the main piece on a championship team and even won an MVP award (albeit a highly controversial one). If he had stayed at the level he was at in 77-78 for 5-6 more seasons he’d be an easy inclusion but he was just at that level for way too short of a time due to injuries and when he finally did return years later he was a shell of the player he had been. 2 All-NBA teams and 2 career All-Star appearances just don’t measure up. Its as if he gets the benefit of the doubt for what his career “could have been” rather than what it actually was.
Howard on the other hand, is not generally considered to be a likeable guy, and has been considered a whiner and underachiever throughout his career. But the truth is that his career accomplishments and productivity far exceed Walton’s and he is easily more deserving of inclusion here.

In: Vince Carter Out : Pete Maravich
The “Pistol” was a fun player no doubt. He was incredibly influential and ahead of his time. However, this is a case where the myth and legend of the player exceeds the actual career. Yes, he put up big scoring numbers and made 5 All-Star teams. But his career was relatively short and he never contributed much to winning.
Carter had a peak as a star that was longer than Maravich and a much longer overall career. He was a more well-rounded player. Although the second half of his career he was essentially a role player, he still managed to remain productive until his 40s. If you just compare peaks and influence on the game, this one is relatively close, but when you factor in Carter’s longevity I feel like he has to get the nod in this comparison.

In: Kyrie Irving Out: Earl Monroe
Kyrie is a guy who likely hasn’t done himself any favors with the voters recently. I know there was some people who thought Lillard shouldn’t be included but I am not one of them. And if you include Lillard, its hard to argue that Kyrie isn’t deserving as well. He’s a guy that has revolutionized the game with his ball-handling and scoring ability and has been a hell of productive player and essential to a championship run. For better or worse, he has been one of the primary faces of the league over the past decade and one of the most productive players.
As far as Monroe goes, I feel like this is another case where the legend of the player slightly exceeds the actual career. Yes. “the Pearl” was a phenomenal talent who could do things with the ball that people had never seen before in the era he played. He had a very good career and I wouldn’t argue his inclusion on to the original top 50 list. But 25 years later, he just doesn’t make the cut this time in my estimation. Irving is already a more accomplished player and likely still has a long way to go.

In Paul George Out Dennis Rodman
This one might be more controversial. I know Rodman was a unique player who was incredibly important to a bunch of championship teams. But I kind of wonder how much his inclusion was based on his fame and personality as opposed to his actual play on the court. I’m not at all downplaying his contributions on the court, as he was probably the best overall rebounder and one of the best defenders ever. However, his 2 career All-Star appearances and 2 3rd team All-NBA selections just don’t measure up. Plus he was essentially a complete non-factor on the offensive side of the court and was a disruption to team chemistry for a large part of his career. He’s a guy who knew what he could do well and did it better than almost anyone else. But was he well-rounded enough as a player to be on this list. I say no.
I wrestled back and forth between George and T-Mac for this final spot. T-Mac was ultimately the better player in his prime, but George’s prime has arguably already lasted longer and is more well-rounded in several ways. I will go with George here, although I’m sure a lot of people will disagree.

There are quite a few other guys like Alex English, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Alonzo Mourning that were right on the edge.

As far as guys like Doncic, Jokic, or Embiid go, I’m sure they will get their due one day but they just haven’t played long enough to be included at this point in time and it would be unfair based on projection rather than actual accomplishments.

So what do you guys think of my corrections and what would you change on your list? Keep in mind if you put someone you have to take someone out from the original list.

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

WOW! YOU SAY Remove Pistol Pete? THATS ABSURD! When they name some of the most potent offensive scorers in nba history, guys like Jordan,Wilt,Durant,Harden & Kobe names come up, Pistol Pete is amongst that group…A Master of the no-look and behind the back passes…He was a Magician with the ball,a great passer, he had Curry like shooting ability….Maravich was way ahead of his time…This guy was playing Street Style Ball in the 70s!! He influenced alot of future nba players…

You can make a case for removing Bill Walton and a case to keep him on it…
Positive-He was considered the best player in the nba in 1977-78..Was a Generational Talent…A Better Version of Marc Gasol or Nikola Jokic..Considered 1 of the Top Best College players ..
1 of 5 centers to lead the nba in rebounding,average 5 assists, with multiple blocks..
Negative-Only 2 All Star Appearances,He never averaged more than 19 points,he wasnt a dominant scorer like most of his peers on the List.. He only had a stretch of 3 years where he was at his peak.Career was shorten Mainly becuz of injuries.

mCgrady and Dwight Howard sure be on that list if you’re basing it on the best 25 players of the last 25 years.I was a little surprised to see Anthony Davis and Lilliard on the list..
I think 3 Current players & 3 Current Coaches were among the Voters…

[Robb_CParticipant]

Adrian Dantley and Alex English are obvious snubs..

[ChoppyParticipant]

I think your additions have a fair bit of recency bias.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Fair point. Although I would argue that the original list was more skewed toward players from previous generations. Granted it’s hard to compare guys who played in the 1950s and 60s to players today.

[ChoppyParticipant]

Paul George over Rodman was one of the most egregious examples. Paul George type players are a lot more common than a defensive rebounding demon like Rodman. Rodman will go down as one of the greats, I can’t believe you overrate George that much?
Irving over the Pearl is another. Irving is a good second banana, but can’t lead a team. He thinks he’s better than he is (not to mention he’s scared of a needle…).
I agree that Carter probably is a snub, but who does he replace? Certainly not Maravich.

[r377Participant]

Not sure about Walton, Lillard or James worthy particularly the first 2. Dave Bing lucky to get in but i guess they needed a few from that era…

Lillard is not clutch/good leader and for his era his % arent great

How is Alonzo Mourning not there ? A constant 20-10 guy who was DPOY twice..

Other guys who i would have over lillard and walton. Mitch Richmond and Joe Dumars. Dumars Finals MVP and 5 time defensive team. Do people forget you play offense 50% of the time and defense the other 50% of the time ?

Chris Bosh – 11 time all-star, constant 20-10 big guy who had range, I would take over Walton and Lillard.

Vince Carter, maybe t-mac would be in the conversation

[Author]

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