Quote:
Originally Posted by ninjacookies
I get it. I guess it's how you interpret the question. This was strictly evaluating a single attribute though.
I don't think I could ever be convinced Cousy or Luisetti's handling skills could hold up against the best of this modern generation.
To contrast this, I'm absolutely certain Wilt's rebounding, Magic's passing, Jordan/Dr. J's dunking, and Bird/Reggie's shooting would dominate no matter what year you cite.
Spudd was the better man on that particular day. Nothing more. If anyone thinks he's the better dunker than Nique then they must be smoking some extremely potent strain.
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When comparing people from different eras, there are a couple of things I take into consideration. First, a lot of what players do now wasn’t legal several decades ago so that would definitely make their style look different. Players carry and palm the ball all the time now. That’s ok because the game has evolved but to say older players couldn’t do it isn’t fair. I tend to give the pioneers of the game more credit for developing skills without seeing someone else do it first. Also, they weren’t full time basketball players like they are now. Now, saying that, I don’t think there are many players from the earlier years of the nba that could even play in the current nba, but they certainly belong in a discussion about the greatest to ever do it.
On Spud, I think he was the perfect guy for an exhibition dunk contest situation. However, the dunk contest requires very little actual basketball skill. I would love for an Olympic long jumper or high jumper to be in the dunk contest. When I think of the best dunkers ever, in-game dunking is what I put more emphasis on. So, spud = great dunk contest dunker, Dominique = one of the best dunkers of all time, Vince Carter = best combination dunker of all time.