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Post by hc811215 on Jan 17, 2021 12:09:41 GMT -5
In watching Kevin Durant's start of the season with the Brooklyn Nets, it has me thinking he might be the best basketball player ever to lace up sneakers for a New York metro area based professional basketball team. The man is a joy to watch.
Here are my thoughts on a top 10 list all time list. As I hope is obvious from the list, it is not based on their time in New York/Brooklyn/Uniondale, but their entire careers to date.
Kevin Durant
Julius Irving
Patrick Ewing
James Harden
Walt Frazier
Earl Monroe
Bernard King
Willis Reed
Carmelo Anthony
Bob McAdoo
Who would you include? Who did I leave out? Who would you rank higher or lower? Kyrie could crack the top 10 if he gets himself together, but I don't think I would put him ahead of any of these guys yet.
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Post by rgs318 on Jan 17, 2021 12:27:54 GMT -5
Bill Bradley? I love what he brought to the game...even back at Princeton (even though not in NY).
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Post by hchoops on Jan 17, 2021 12:44:10 GMT -5
A little early for Durant, and Harden has been here for 2 minutes.
I guess Jason Kidd played for the Nets only in NJ.
Carmelo did not shine for the Knicks.
DeBusschere would be on my list.
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Post by hc811215 on Jan 17, 2021 13:31:01 GMT -5
Again, not a list of who contributed the most while playing in New York, more a list of all time greats whoever suited up for a New York team. Durant and Harden career numbers and accomplishments support their spots IMHO.
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Post by thecrossisback on Jan 17, 2021 13:32:51 GMT -5
Garnett and Paul Pierce were on Brooklyn
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Post by timholycross on Jan 18, 2021 0:34:27 GMT -5
Dave DeBusschere for sure
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 18, 2021 0:37:36 GMT -5
DeBusschere ties in with the other thread (featuring Hamilton & Conley) as an NBA player who also played MLB.
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Post by timholycross on Jan 18, 2021 9:34:35 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on Jan 18, 2021 10:01:08 GMT -5
He made the correct decision
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 18, 2021 10:39:52 GMT -5
He made the correct decision From the SABR BioProject: "Things came to a head in November 1964. Seeking — so some believed — to get DeBusschere to commit fully to basketball, or maybe just seeking a spark for the Pistons, team owner Fred Zollner named him player-coach. Still, DeBusschere continued his baseball career. In the spring of 1964, baseball-healthy and ready for a promotion, he was instead sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis. DeBusschere had another strong year, again winning 15 games and though he lost 12, he lowered his ERA to 3.65. But in view of his assumption of additional basketball responsibilities DeBusschere finally decided to leave baseball behind in September 1965. A looming NBA preseason led him to turn down another late-season call-up by the White Sox, making the 1965 season with Indianapolis his last in professional baseball. " |
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Post by hcpride on Jan 18, 2021 11:28:53 GMT -5
Rick Barry
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Post by timholycross on Jan 19, 2021 11:07:40 GMT -5
Fits in there somewhere; certainly a better pro career than Bob McAdoo. |
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Post by Tom on Jan 21, 2021 9:07:47 GMT -5
My sports opinions are extremely Massachusetts-centric. I am a total homer
A trade of Bob McAdoo for what turned out to be ML Carr, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale was a great trade
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