[high floorParticipant]

We have some great playoff hoops action tonight, but I can’t help myself throwing some random topics together for a group discussion. Ya’ll make it fun!

For giggles, how would you guys rank the following 5 SG’s off raw talent alone? In their primes? And by raw talent I mean explosiveness, in-game athleticism, shot-making, highlight potential, coordination, vision, court-sense, etc… The type of features that made them must-see tv:

• Vince Carter
• Clyde Drexler
• Tracy McGrady
• Dwyane Wade
• Ray Allen

*Left out MJ & Kobe on purpose…… just to spice up the convo a bit more!   

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

1) Dwyane Wade (best year, 2008-09: 30.2 ppg, 7.5 apg, 5.0 rpg, 2.2 spg, 49/32/77 shooting clip) 

2) Tracy McGrady (best year, 2002-03: 32.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.7 spg, 46/39/79 shooting clip)

3) Clyde Drexler (best year, 1988-89: 27.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 5.8 apg, 2.7 spg, 50/26/80 shooting clip)

4) Vince Carter (best year, 2004-05: 27.5 ppg, 5.9 rppg, 4.7 apg, 1.5 spg, 46/43/82 shooting clip)

5) Ray Allen (best year, 2002-03: 24.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.6 rpg, 1.6 spg, 44/35/92 shooting clip) 

 

Wade is the best player of the bunch and the 3rd best SG of all time (ahead of Jerry West and behind only Kobe and MJ) T-MAC was awesome but his prime was short and he’s the least likely Hall of Famer here just due to how shortened his prime was. Vince and Ray did it/have done it forever but they were never a top 5 player in the league. Drexler couldn’t shoot but he was instrumental in his team’s 1995 NBA finals sweep of the Magic

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 1.) T-Mac

2. Vince

3. Drexler

4. Wade 

5. Allen

Just basing this strictly off raw talent as stated in the criteria. Not ranking their actual careers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The GoatParticipant]

 So is "raw talent" just a nice way of askingasking of these guys was the laziest and coasted by on natural ability?  Looks about right

[Celtics3178Participant]

 Is Dwayne wade better then AI?? Reggie Miller maybe but I don’t think so? I’d say he’s top 5 but not top 3

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Tracy for sure! Dude barely practiced from the midpoint of his career on, didn’t have the greatest mechanics, didn’t take great care of his body either…but there was no defending him.

1) T-Mac

2) Vince

3) Clyde

4) Wade

5) Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

[nath09Participant]

 Agree 100% with this order.

All great highly skilled basketballrs and all had fairly even output and carers but some got there on different roads to others.

 

 

 

[cohenbc1Participant]

 Your definition of "raw talent" sounds pretty much like "relevant basketball skills"’ to me. Maybe with an emphasis on spectacular plays. But everyone on your list made spectacular plays in their sleep.

1. Drexler
2. Wade
3. Allen
4. McGrady
5. Carter

(I like Vince, but there’s maybe a dozen people I’d put on this list above him — and quite a few between Allen and McGrady as well).

 

 

 

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

McGrady has to be first. He was an elite defensive player for the first few years, and then became the best offensive wing in the game for several year’s in Houston. 

Without back problems and with a more consistent supporting cast, the McGrady might have gone down as a top 5 player All-time. 

 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

I’ve always said I’ve never said anybody with more natural ability to play basketball than T-Mac.

[kikikikiParticipant]

Raw Talent or Athletice ability!

 

 

 

 

 1. Vince Carter

2. Trac Mcgrady

3. Clyde Drexler

4. Dwayne Wade

5. Ray Allen

 

 

 

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I’m not the first to post this order. I agree with a number of posters for the order of these players.

TMac – has to be first. Elite 2 way player with off the charts athleticism. Injuries cruelled his career.

Carter – has my respect for changing his game and having a longer career than I ever thought he could. Best in game dunker I have seen.

Drexler – Clyde the glide was a terrific player. Competed hard on both ends and was extremely talented. On raw ability though has to be third. 

Wade – fierce competitor, streaky 3pt shooter. One of the best defenders in this group. 

Allen – great 3pt shooter. 

[Mr. JewboyParticipant]

 I think you guys are all sleeping on D-Wade. The dude is top 5 SG all time and maybe 3rd like a lot of people said here.  He did all that while he also had a bunch of injuries that took away from his prime years and also hurt his athleticsm. Rookie year took his team to the second round. 3rd year was finals MVP. Was unguardable even though he didnt have a 3 point shot, was easily the best defender out of the crew and maybe top 2 SG  defender in the league for a while, and above all- a WINNER. Always knew how to make the winning play, which is also a heck of a talent.

After all that, i got to give T-mac the number one spot. That guy litterally could have been one of the best ever. no weaknesses at all(except his injuries and his mind/character)

so, mine is:

1)T-mac

2) Flash

3)Vince

4)Glide

5)Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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