Dwight Howard Haters ... Why the Hate?

Dwight Howard announced late last week that he would be signing with the Houston Rockets to join an up and coming team that, while likely not the favorite going into the next season, will certainly be a team that can make waves and have a shot at the title. I know that in the last season or two Howard has seemingly replaced perennial MVP LeBron James as the most hated player in the NBA and that hatred has only been magnified by Howard opting to leave the Lakers, the most popular team in the NBA. 

However, I’ve got to ask the haters. Why are you hating on this guy? This is probably going to be a controversial statement, but Dwight Howard has been one of the NBA’s five best players of the last decade. He’s a triple-time NBA Defensive of the Player of the Year Award winner and likely isn’t finished with that award; he’s a perennial All-Star and a guy who probably should’ve won a previous Most Valuable Player Award. He’s the best center in the game, bar none, and probably has the best personality of any generally hated player I’ve ever seen. Those are all reasons why you should respect Howard, but not really reasons why you shouldn’t hate him. After all, people hate great players all the time.

Here are the two main reasons you shouldn't hate him:

The biggest reason people seem to loathe Dwight Howard is because of his indecisiveness. The guy has shown a big propensity to not be able to clearly make up his mind. But, my question to his haters is … can you? Most of the people I know, particularly of my generation – which makes up a large number of today’s sports fans, can’t make up their minds about the smallest of everyday things like what they want to eat or watch on television. Yet, many of these same people expect that Dwight Howard should automatically or quickly make up his mind on the biggest decision of his life? Come on, guys, you’re being a little bit too harsh on the big fella.

The second reason – or newest reason – many people seem to hate Howard is because he’s perceived to have jilted everybody’s seemingly favorite team the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers fans are aimlessly offended that he’d do so – it is America’s team after all. But, here’s what Lakers fans and any other fans annoyed that Howard would leave L.A. are failing to realize … the Lakers are a sinking ship and one that’s sinking incredibly fast at that. This team is not going to be a playoff team next year – hell, they were barely a playoff team this year with Howard and a mostly healthy Kobe Bryant. It’s a team that there’s really no telling when they will be competitive again. And, if you’re a free agent looking to make an incredibly large sum of money and want to try to win a title at the same time, it’s simply not the place for you to be right now. Signing with the Houston Rockets was simply a good career move for Howard and if you can’t see that you’ve probably got your biased sports fan blinders on.

So, there’s really no reason to hate Dwight Howard based on his play (he’s one of the best in the league), there’s no reason to hate him for his indecisiveness (it really is rampant in this country among many) and there’s no reason to hate him for bolting on the Lakers (he made the smart move). So, again, I must ask the Dwight Howard haters … Why the hate?

In Defense of Nicolas Batum's Crotch Shot

It might seem hard or ridiculous to come to the defense of an athlete for intentionally hitting another athlete below the belt, but I’m about to do just that.

The quarterfinal Olympics basketball game between Spain and France ended in controversy on Wednesday afternoon when France players became angered by the Spaniards flopping to draw fouls and in the case of France forward Ronny Turiaf’s foul on flopping Spain forward Rudy Fernandez a hard foul.

Incensed by the flopping by the Spanish team France forward Nicolas Batum decided that he was going to give Spain guard Juan Carlos Navarro a parting shot that he wouldn’t forget toward the end of France’s 66-59 loss to Spain that would end their Olympic run. Near the end of the game Batum ran at Navarro and made a violent slapping motion toward his mid-section that caught Navarro in the groin. This action set off a slight incident between the two squads, but Batum was not ejected from the game.

Not only was the French team angered by Spain’s flopping, but they also felt that Spain had intentionally blown a 12-point fourth quarter lead in a game against Brazil so they could face France in the quarterfinals instead of a tougher matchup against the United States.

Batum, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA, would’ve most certainly received a fine and quite likely a game or two suspension from NBA commissioner David Stern had this incident occurred in an NBA game. However, I’ve got to say that I don’t have the slightest problem with Batum’s actions, even though Batum would later apologize for it.

Here’s why …

After the loss to Spain, Batum told reporters “I wanted to give him a good reason to flop.” Batum’s response is not only humorous, but also a fairly decent way to combat the shameful act of flopping. In my opinion, it’s not a whole lot different than a pitcher beaning a batter (which I approve of, as well) for admiring his home run a little too much in baseball. In sports athletes really have to police themselves and that’s what Batum was doing.

Flopping is a major problem in basketball. Fans know it. I’m sure if you polled fans it would be near the top of a list of biggest problems with NBA basketball. Players and coaches know it. NBA commissioner David Stern even knows it and has mentioned trying to figure out ways to put an end to flopping.

The league putting an end to flopping is something that would be hard to do. I have mentioned before that I would approve of officials giving technical fouls to players that they see as flopping, but like many other things in officiating it’s merely a judgment call and if officials are calling fouls already on these plays than they likely don’t view them as flops in the first place.

Players policing themselves like Batum did on Wednesday could be one way to end flopping. Hit a dude in the crotch enough times and I think he’ll probably get the message. After all, there aren’t many more things in this world that dudes are afraid of than getting hit right in the marbles.

Many people see what Batum did as a heinous act that deserves to be punished. I see it as getting a message across about another heinous act that should be punished.

Barkley Easily Athlete MVP of 'SNL' Hosts

There have been many professional athletes or former athletes that have hosted “Saturday Night Live” over the years; in fact, the number of athlete hosts approaches 30, but of all of those athlete hosts there is only one who has hosted multiple episodes. That is Pro Basketball Hall of Famer and current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley, who last night hosted ‘SNL’ for his third time. 

Why is Barkley the only athlete or former athlete to ever host ‘SNL’ more than once? It’s because he’s the best, and in my opinion, it’s not even close.

“Saturday Night Live” has had athlete hosts for almost as long as the legendary sketch comedy show has existed. The very first athlete host was Pro Football Hall of Famer and legendary Minnesota Vikings quarterback Frank Tarkenton back in 1977. Other notable athletes who hosted the show include O.J. Simpson, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Deion Sanders, Jeff Gordon, Bill Russell, Joe Montana, Walter Payton, George Foreman, Derek Jeter, Tom Brady, Lance Armstrong and Peyton Manning.

Almost always episodes hosted by athletes are absolutely horrible. Of that entire list I previously mentioned, only Manning really hosted a decent episode. It’s so bad when athletes host that most of the time when they’re announced a feeling of dread comes over me well before the famous “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night …” is read. We fans have been quite thankful that, other than Barkley, there hasn’t been an athlete host the show in three and a half years since Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Michael Phelps hosted (that was a particularly dreadful episode) in 2008.  

What sets Barkley apart though?

Most of it has to do with that fact that Barkley is just an all-around funny and fun-loving guy in real life. His exuberant personality has led many times to pregame, postgame and halftime shows on TNT basketball coverage being funnier than entire episodes of ‘SNL.’ Most athletes that ‘SNL’ has chosen to host other than Barkley simply don’t have these funny personas. In fact, Manning has absolutely zero personality, which is why the fact that his hosting stint wasn’t half-bad was extremely impressive and surprising.

There is one knock on Barkley that seems to pop up on social media sites like Twitter when Sir Charles stops by Studio 8H for ‘SNL’ and that’s that Barkley is a “bad actor” and “noticeably reads cue cards.” Both of those knocks are actually true, but I must ask, “what’s the big deal?” We all know going in that Barkley isn’t an actor and we also all know going in that these guys, including the cast members, read off of cue cards. If the humor of the show is funny and Barkley gets laughs, which he does, than these shouldn’t really hurt the episode.

Now, if I had to choose a list of the greatest hosts in ‘SNL’ history or my personal favorite ‘SNL’ hosts I doubt that Barkley would appear on either list, but when it comes to athletes hosting he honestly is a unanimous MVP.     

My 2011-2012 NBA Season Predictions

 Western Conference

Northwest:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Portland Trail Blazers
3. Utah Jazz
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Pacific:

1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Golden State Warriors

Southwest:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. Memphis Grizzlies
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Houston Rockets
5. New Orleans Hornets

Eastern Conference:
Atlantic:

1. New York Knicks
2. Boston Celtics
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Toronto Raptors

Central:

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Southeast:

1. Miami Heat
2. Atlanta Hawks
3. Orlando Magic
4. Washington Wizards
5. Charlotte Bobcats

Western Playoffs: 1. Thuder 2. Mavericks 3. Clippers 4. Lakers 5. Grizzlies 6. Spurs 7. Blazers 8. Suns

Eastern Playoffs: 1. Heat 2. Bulls 3. Knicks 4. Celtics 5. Hawks 6. Magic 7. Pacers 8. Bucks

Why I Hope the Lakers Don't Acquire Both Dwight Howard & Chris Paul ...

Reports came out late last night that the Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing the possibility of acquiring both all star center Dwight Howard and all star point guard Chris Paul via trade and they are willing to trade anybody and everybody that isn’t Kobe Bryant. 

Howard and Paul will be the two biggest free agents after the next season and because the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets both don’t want the possibility of their stars leaving via free agency without anything in return there is a great chance that both could be moved before this season starts on Christmas. 

Acquiring both Howard and Paul would of course be a huge move for the Lakers and probably would make them the favorite this season, but I’m 100 percent against the Lakers doing this.

Why?

Because I’m sick of what appears to be the new movement in the NBA for a handful of teams to create “super teams.”

The Miami Heat started this before last season with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh and now it seems every team with the means and money wants to model themselves in the same fashion.  

Some people say “super teams” are great for the NBA. I, frankly, don’t understand how that can possibly be the case. If you create even just a handful of “super teams” or maybe not even that many you are basically going to have a league for a few years where those “super teams” will be the only teams capable of winning a championship and all other teams will basically be screwed. Multiple teams creating “super teams” dilutes the NBA and for that reason it’s obviously a bad thing for the sport.  

From Miss Universe to Miss Iowa (This is Baseball Right??)

Washington Nationals phenom starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg was scratched from a start on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves because he didn’t feel right when warming up for the game. It was later revealed that he has some shoulder inflammation and is listed as day-to-day.

Okay, that happens and everything is fine, right?

Well, the Nationals reaction toward veteran pitcher and Tuesday night’s spot starter for the Nationals 39-year old Miguel Batista has gotten me more than a little perturbed.

The Nationals had sold the game out on Tuesday night because people wanted to see Strasburg pitch. When it was announced that Strasburg had been scratched and that Batista would be replacing him on the mound the Nationals’ so-called fans threw a fit and booed Batista.

What did Batista do?

Batista pulled his cap brim down low and went out and did his job like any veteran should … and he did it damn well. Batista pitched five shutout innings against the Braves and led the Nationals to victory. The fans still didn’t care; they wanted to see Strasburg after all.

The cold hard truth is that Batista might have done a better job against the Braves than Strasburg would have. The Braves had beaten the young ace earlier in the season.

It’s frankly ridiculous the way that the Nationals fans treated Batista, one of their own, on Tuesday night. Many fans even left the game before the first pitch had been thrown because they were so disappointed that Strasburg wouldn’t pitch. By the way, I don’t care if the entire ballclub comes down with food poisoning and is replaced at the last second with the entire AAA club, I’m still going to watch the game that I paid my hard earned money for and support my team.

Baseball seems to be the ultimate team sport out of the big three sports leagues in this country, in that the team is more important than the individual player. Maybe that’s changing?

Much like LeBron James of the NBA, it seems like baseball fans in Washington have quickly become Strasburg fans instead of Nationals fans … and, if you ask me that’s very wrong. I wonder if Albert Pujols were to leave St. Louis in a trade or via free agency would Cardinals fans just up a switch favorite teams as fast as many Cleveland Cavaliers switched to the Miami Heat when James signed with them a few weeks ago?

I seriously hope that the MLB doesn’t go down this road like the NBA apparently already has.

As for Batista, he should’ve felt bad being treated the way he was for such an excellent performance; however he understood saying, “Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos.”

$50 Million Dollar Baby

Overall number one NFL draft pick Sam Bradford from the Oklahoma Sooners is reportedly going to be the highest paid player in football without ever even playing a down in the league.

The St. Louis Rams are probably going to have to give Bradford a deal in the neighborhood of $50 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s a sign that rookie contracts are continuing to rise in the NFL. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford who was taken as the first overall draft pick last year was given a contract worth $41.5 million.

It is utterly ridiculous to think that Bradford could make more money than Super Bowl winning quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Drew Brees.

It’s dangerous for teams like the Rams to basically be forced into signing these outrageous contracts by agents and players when overall number one picks can prove to be busts. Bradford could easily become a great quarterback like Peyton Manning or Troy Aikman, but he could just as easily become a bust like JaMarcus Russell, David Carr and Tim Couch.

It’s also dangerous for the Rams to give Bradford so much money because he’s already proven to be injury prone. Bradford was seriously injured in his final year at college with the Sooners and forced to miss the majority of the season. He’ll surely be knocked around like a rag doll in the NFL, especially with the Rams only having the 24th projected offensive line in the league, according to football.about.com.

It would seem that the only real way for the NFL to avoid the rising rookie salaries would be to go to a rookie scale salary like the NBA does. In the NBA the draft picks have there own assigned salaries that ensures that the first overall pick makes more than the second pick and the second pick makes more than the third and so on. The contracts are each for two years with team options for a third and fourth.

The NBA has it 100 percent right when it comes to rookie contracts. The NFL desperately needs to go that route to ensure that unproven players like Bradford aren’t the richest athletes in the sport.

The James Game

Never have I seen a professional sports league revolve around one athlete the way the NBA is going to revolve around LeBron James in free agency this offseason.

There are around five to 10 teams with enough salary cap space to sign James. All 30 teams have a shot at obtaining James through a sign and trade, which is a less likely scenario.

Free agency begins on Thursday, July 1 at 12:01 a.m. and that’s when five reported teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets will reportedly start wooing James. No team can sign James before July 8.

It turns out that the team with the most likely chance of signing James isn’t necessarily the one that will give him the most money, but the team that will surround him with the most talent.

The Heat has the most available cap space with $44 million available. Following the Heat, the Knicks have $35 million open, the Bulls have $30 million open and the Nets have $27 million open.

The Heat has the unusual opportunity to sign three max-contract players. This would almost certainly include re-signing point guard Dwyane Wade. Of all the free agents, Wade is the one who’s expressed the most interest in remaining with his current team. The Heat could then add a third huge contract in a Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire type player.

NBA experts have expressed that this scenario might be the best for James to win a championship, but maybe not the most likely. James and Wade are the type of players where they should be their respective team’s best player. Some just can’t see Wade playing Scottie Pippen to James’ Michael Jordan.

Another likely scenario would have James going to the Bulls. This is the scenario that I predict will happen. The Bulls are a young team with all of the great makings of a championship contender if they added one or two pieces. Those pieces could turn out to be James and Bosh and then this team would shoot past the Orlando Magic and any others as the best team in the Eastern Conference and possibly all of the NBA. The starting lineup of James, Bosh, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng would instantly be the best starting five in the NBA. Of course, this is just a prediction.

The other likely scenario would simply involve James re-signing with the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers would then likely have to acquire a Bosh-type player through a sign and trade.
The month of July is definitely going to be an exciting one in the NBA. After July the entire 2010-2011 season could be completely changed. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics could drastically fall and teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and other could drastically improve and become championship-caliber teams.

The only thing that is completely clear at this moment is that at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday the James game is going to start.

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.

1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards

Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14

2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers

Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers

Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19

4. Bill Russell- Celtics

Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12

5. Magic Johnson- Lakers

Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks

Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

7. Larry Bird- Celtics

Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers

Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15

9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers

Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs

Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers

Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14

12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors

Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12


13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers

Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11

14. Jerry West- Lakers

Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers

Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16

16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets

Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

17. Tim Duncan- Spurs

Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12

18. Bob Pettit- Hawks

Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11

19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets

Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

20. John Stockton- Jazz

Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets

Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic

Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

23. David Robinson- Spurs

Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10

24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls

Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies

Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11

26. John Havlicek- Celtics

Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics

Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers

Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7

29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets

Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals

Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks

Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets

Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic

Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons

Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

35. Dan Issel- Nuggets

Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat

Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

37. Hal Greer- 76ers

Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

38. Reggie Miller- Pacers

Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

39. George Mikan- Lakers

Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics

Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz

Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers

Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls

Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers

Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets

Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks

Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers

Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers

Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

50. LeBron James- Cavaliers

Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6

51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics

Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

52. Willis Reed- Knicks

Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks

Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics

Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks

Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks

Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers

Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

58. Paul Pierce- Celtics

Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks

Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7

60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz

Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks

Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks

Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers

Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers

Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets

Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

66. Sam Jones- Celtics

Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

67. Wes Unseld- Bullets

Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

69. Kevin McHale- Celtics

Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

70. James Worthy- Lakers

Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics

Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics

Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2

73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets

Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets

Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

75. Joe Dumars- Pistons

Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics

Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets

Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers

Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons

Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers

Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets

Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics

Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic

Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics

Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns

Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns

Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets

Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks

Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2

89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers

Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics

Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks

Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic

Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

93. Neil Johnston- Warriors

Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers

Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

95. Dwayne Wade- Heat

Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks

Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

97. Jack Twyman- Royals

Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks

Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks

Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic

Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

He's No M.J.

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics to win the 2010 NBA Finals and Kobe Bryant won his fifth career ring, but the one thing that kept running through my mind during game seven of the NBA Finals was: “Kobe is no M.J.”

There has been debate for a while now, and it’s been magnified during the playoffs this year, that Kobe Bryant could possibly be as good as Michael Jordan. I’ve heard one sports commentator even ask the question what would it take for Bryant to be thought of as the greatest player of all time, like Jordan. Is six championships enough? Seven? Eight? Even more?

After watching last night’s basketball game I’ve come to the decision that Kobe Bryant never will be as great as Michael Jordan. Not even if he wins as many championships (or more) and scores as many points.

Why?

Because last night, in the biggest game he could ever possibly play in, he didn’t play like the greatest of all time.

He didn’t even play like top five or top 10 all time (which he should have). Bryant did score 23 points last night, which while not up to his usual self isn’t a low number. However, he shot six for 24 from the field for a lowly 25% field goal percentage.

In six NBA Finals appearances, Jordan never shot 25% or worse. This was the second time in Bryant’s five championships (not counting the Finals he lost) that he’s shot 25% or worse.
Bryant was forcing up shots last night that Jordan never would have even dreamed of taking. He’d throw up shots while being double or even triple teamed that would have taken some heavy praying to reach the bottom of the basket.

I’ll never doubt that Bryant is a great basketball player. As previously mentioned he’s easily in the top 10 and could reach the top five before his career comes to an end.

However, comparing him to Michael Jordan would mean that Bryant is the greatest of all time. After watching his performance in last night’s game it’s impossible to call him that.