Who Was - Will Be the Best #2 Since The Bird/Magic Era

[TheGrey08]

Pippen hands down for me b/c of his all around game.

[worldK]

Pippen for me. He was like a lesser but very very good version of mj.

Bulls win 6 championships and multiple 60 wins team including a near 70 win team or they may have won 70 i cant remember clearly now.

He can do everything at the level jordan did except average 30+ a night and he still average 20+ a night and defended the best wing on the other team every night.

[Coolbreeze44]

I have only two comments:

1) Pippen

2) This will be my last appearance in a thread that dares to mention Pippen and Love in the same breath.

26 and 13 is 26 and 13. Love him or hate him, Pipp never put up a season like that.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Hard to argue with Pippen, but a guy who I think deserves some love here is Kevin McHale. From the 83/84 season to 87/88, he was an absolute stud. The C's went to the finals in four of those years and won two titles ('84 and '86). And they would have won 4 titles if it weren't for the Lakers.

Check out this stat line from McHale's '86-87 season:

PPG - 26.1
Rebs - 9.9
Assts - 2.6
Blks - 2.2
FG% - 60% (!!!)
TS% - 65.5% (!!!)
ORtg - 125
DRtg - 106

What is striking to me is the devastating efficiency. To score at such a high volume with that efficiency is incredible, especially when you consider the fact that he didn't take 3-pointers and hardly ever dunked. He was probably the best low-post offensive threat in the game throughout the 80s. Kareem still had his skyhook, but McHale had an array of moves that may be only Hakeem was ever able to really replicate.

The other thing about McHale during this timeframe is that he often guarded the best forward from the opposing team, allowing Bird to play off of the weaker offensive player to double team and look for steals.

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

My vote goes to Pippen. His defense was elite to the point of being more elite than Love's offense and his offense was far above Love's D. Pippen had a better transition game and was an elite athlete. Love plays below the rim and lacks elite athleticism. Love's scoring average will take a big dip once he gets to the Cavs because others around him will carry a heavier scoring load. That may hold true for rebounding too. Lebron and AJ will cut into Loves rebounding totals.

This will be a good thread to look back on after next year. Cavs will be interesting to watch but I don't have the faith that they will make the finals much less win it all. Bulls are going to beat them.....

[Monster]

Hard to argue with Pippen, but a guy who I think deserves some love here is Kevin McHale. From the 83/84 season to 87/88, he was an absolute stud. The C's went to the finals in four of those years and won two titles ('84 and '86). And they would have won 4 titles if it weren't for the Lakers.

Check out this stat line from McHale's '86-87 season:

PPG - 26.1
Rebs - 9.9
Assts - 2.6
Blks - 2.2
FG% - 60% (!!!)
TS% - 65.5% (!!!)
ORtg - 125
DRtg - 106

What is striking to me is the devastating efficiency. To score at such a high volume with that efficiency is incredible, especially when you consider the fact that he didn't take 3-pointers and hardly ever dunked. He was probably the best low-post offensive threat in the game throughout the 80s. Kareem still had his skyhook, but McHale had an array of moves that may be only Hakeem was ever able to really replicate.

The other thing about McHale during this timeframe is that he often guarded the best forward from the opposing team, allowing Bird to play off of the weaker offensive player to double team and look for steals.

McHale was an amazing player. One thing I'll add was his playoff numbers were really good and I believe his finals numbers were very impressive. There is a reason many people considered him not too long ago the best PF of all time.

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

The year KG left the wolves and went to the Celts his stats dropped quite a bit....


Minutes down by 6.6 per game
Shot attempts down by 3.7 per game
Points down by 3.3 per game
Rebounds down 3.6 per game
Assists down 0.7 per game
shooting % up ~6% per game


My point is that Love (like KG) has some inflated numbers that'll drop once he gets to the Cavs and is playing with better talent and scorers. There is not a Corey Brewer and Ricky Rubio in their starting 5....

He won't be carrying quite as big of a load.....

[Monster]

The year KG left the wolves and went to the Celts his stats dropped quite a bit....


Minutes down by 6.6 per game
Shot attempts down by 3.7 per game
Points down by 3.3 per game
Rebounds down 3.6 per game
Assists down 0.7 per game
shooting % up ~6% per game


My point is that Love (like KG) has some inflated numbers that'll drop once he gets to the Cavs and is playing with better talent and scorers. There is not a Corey Brewer and Ricky Rubio in their starting 5....

He won't be carrying quite as big of a load.....

AV isn't much better rebounder than Pek Love's rebounding will go up. Sure Love won't score 26ppg but he will get 20+ no doubt. I think Kyrie's scoring average dips below 20ppg. Love can score is so many ways and will be set up for easy buckets by 2 playmakers but mostly Lebron.

[Coolbreeze44]

The year KG left the wolves and went to the Celts his stats dropped quite a bit....


Minutes down by 6.6 per game
Shot attempts down by 3.7 per game
Points down by 3.3 per game
Rebounds down 3.6 per game
Assists down 0.7 per game
shooting % up ~6% per game


My point is that Love (like KG) has some inflated numbers that'll drop once he gets to the Cavs and is playing with better talent and scorers. There is not a Corey Brewer and Ricky Rubio in their starting 5....

He won't be carrying quite as big of a load.....

Not sure about that Maels. Lebron draws so much attention, life in some respects will be easier for Love. One problem will be that there will be a lot of 4th quarters where Love isn't needed.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Love is still going to get his no matter the team he's on. It's how he scores that's important. Spot up jumpers, putbacks, free throws, P&R and the occasional post up. All of this will translate. It's Irving who is going to take a significant hit in stats, not Love.