Also we should start a new thread, one more aptly named.
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Paul to the Lake Show for Gasol and Odom (three team deal… Gasol is going to Houston for Scola and two other dudes)
Now all we need to do is package Bynum and some picks to Orlando for Howard and things will be complete!
[quote]overstand wrote:
I played varsity HS basketball too dude. [/quote]
best line of the thread.
okay.
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Face it: you have to be non-objective to think Kobe is the best in the game. No one who’s NOT A LAKERS FAN argues for Kobe as the best in the game, which means pretty obviously that he no longer is.
Plenty of people who don’t care about the Heat think LBJ/Wade are top 2… plenty who don’t care about the Magic think DH is top 2.
I don’t like or dislike the Lakers or Kobe one way or the other. But both are very overrated by their fan base. [/quote]
Clearly you do dislike Bryant 'cause you’re saying he’s overrated. There are SEVERAL people who are part of the pro game who still consider Bryant the best. I’m done arguing with you on this point as you seem to just want to bash the guy, and have been doing it now for the last couple of NBA threads. [/quote]
lol I’m just saying - I’ve never heard anyone who’s not a fan call him the best in the NBA.
I don’t think simply saying he’s not the best player in the NBA is a “bash”. It’s not like I’m calling him a detriment to the team. I just think a couple guys have passed him. It’s not like I am alone in this opinion.
I don’t think he’s overrated by most people - I do think you personally overrate him.
If there’s one theme in all my posts it’s that I draw people towards the middle… you think he’s the best and I disagree… but if someone was saying he’s like the 10th best I would also call them an idiot.
edited to fix quote fuckup[/quote]
To the casual fan he may no longer be the best. However, the casual fan has been raised on ESPN highlights. I bet the player consensus would be a healthy Kobe as the best player in the game right now. I’d bet a large sum of money on it. [/quote]
Healthy and 5 years younger are not the same thing. Is he the highest ranked current player on the GOAT list? Absolutely, maybe top 10 GOAT. Is he the best player in the league, healthy or otherwise? HELL NO! I would take that bet in an instant. He would probably be voted “Most Clutch” or something similar, but he is obviously well past his prime. This is not saying he’s a bad player, I put him 7th in my top 10, and you could arguably swap him with Derek Rose at 6th. But top 5, let alone #1? Only a Lakers fan drinking the last bit of koolaid would believe that.
Explain to me how Kobe is better than any of these guys: Lebron, Dirk, DWade, Howard, Durant.
And to the other guy, I am a Mavericks fan, nobody was happier than me to see Lebron choke in the fourth quarter of the finals. But I’m not foolish enough to think that one series defines who he is as a player (he played great through the rest of the playoffs). He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
This is just silly. How do you define “best player” across teams of different composition and positions? You cannot.
Let me put it this way. We are playing for all the marbles - the intergalactic basketball championship. One game for all the money. Your team is comprised of perfect players at every position except shooting guard and you have one opening. One game. One and done. You can choose between LBJ, Wade or a healthy Kobe.
LOL I have Kobe and I’m coming home with the trophy. LBJ, Wade, D-rose, etc. are not getting you that one win.
You’re confusing “relative performance” over a season with “best player”. You first need to resolves issues of “labels” (what is “best”) before you have the argument. [/quote]
No, see now you’re manipulating the conversation. This discussion isn’t about hypothetical scenarios or who is more skilled or better in his prime. This is about judging effectiveness based on face value right now. Trading Kobe for a LBJ, Wade, D-Rose, Dwight, or Durant would be fair simply because they are extreme talents on the rise while Kobe is on the decline. You have to think about the future and practicality. Past NBA threads have exhausted those extensive arguments about the “better” player.
ESPN did a list during the lockout of top-something players in the league right now and Kobe was no.7.[/quote]
I don’t disagree with this. But Kobe is the best player RIGHT NOW. Of the others you mention, only Wade can be in the discussion “when it counts”. LOL at high school varsity players thinking the regular season is the measure of anything.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
No he’s not.
You sir are the “casual fan”. I played the sport. Still in contact with those that played in the league. He is not regarded in that fashion at the present time although I do certainly understand why the average fan would feel that way. [/quote]
Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen both said they think when it’s all said and done, Lebron will be the best player to have ever played the game.
So much for opinion of the players as a valid argument huh??[/quote]
When “all is said and done” is a different animal than who the best player is now. There is no real argument against LBJ having the biggest upside, hence the statement. But he and his game are presently stagnant. The verdict is out.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
So if best player is too broad, who was the most dominant player in the NBA last season from a statistical standpoint?
Does anyone here think that player was Kobe?
[/quote]
What does that matter? Teams have different compositions of players and you’re comparing among various positions. Most of the 80 or so games are meaningless. No, I don’t think that player was Kobe. I also think that “best player” is more than statistics. “Best player” is that guy you want in that one game. One and done. It aint LeBron and it damn sure isn’t D-rose (right now). There is a case to be made for Wade.
^^Durant has proven to be pretty clutch. He’s definitely above LBJ in “clutch/when it counts” situations IMO… Its gotta be Kobe and Wade at the top of the “clutch/when it counts” list and Durant is #3 IMO. (Ray Allen is definitely up there too but he cant really create his own shot anymore)
[quote]overstand wrote:
lol, I guess only “casual fans” know that Lebron doesn’t even play SG, he’s a small forward. I played varsity HS basketball too dude. Your entire argument is an appeal to authority (I know you like to figure yourself the master of all logical fallacies).
And speaking of perfect players at every position, if you’ll recall, Kobe had a vastly superior supporting cast in the WC Semi Finals vs. Dirk and the Mavs. How did that turn out?
Shit I can’t even believe I’m defending Lebron here. I hate the dude, but as somebody who actually watches NBA games I have absolutely no doubt he is the best player in the league. Also, being a superior athlete is part of being a better player. Ray Allen is the best shooter in the league, yet he has no where near the impact Lebron does. Skill is only part of the equation.
@Whiteflash: Did you see the recent ESPN interview with Lebron? It was on like yesterday or the day before. He was totally humble and admitted he should have done things differently (but I suspect that’s more of an effort to rehab his image than a genuine feeling). But he said he was working with Hakeem all summer on his post game, and he’s got some new “tricks in his bag”.[/quote]
Since you mentioned “too” (implying I was merely a high school varsity player lol), did you also play professionally overseas? Play in pro summer leagues here for years with NBA players? How about an NBA try out?
I’m not appealing to authority. I am giving you my INFORMED opinion as a former player. You’re giving me your opinion based on someone that watches the NBA and played high school ball and is trying to be the best at working out. Amiright?
I know what position LeBron plays. But shooting guard is a position he CAN and does play (he doesn’t play a traditional position) and it was the only way to compare the 3 - but obviously the illustration went over your high school basketball experience. Sorry for that.
Let me put it in terms you can understand; OMG did you see that dunk LeBron laid down the other night on ESPN???
<--------wondering why he’s having this discussion on this message board.
[quote]gregron wrote:
^^Durant has proven to be pretty clutch. He’s definitely above LBJ in “clutch/when it counts” situations IMO… Its gotta be Kobe and Wade at the top of the “clutch/when it counts” list and Durant is #3 IMO. (Ray Allen is definitely up there too but he cant really create his own shot anymore)[/quote]
I think the next few years will determine if Durant rises to the very top. He has the tools and the mental make up. He’s not there yet. For me, it’s between Kobe and Wade and I’m not a Wade fan but I can’t deny his talent and I can’t deny his production in games that count. I think this season will say whether Kobe is on the downward descent although at his age and relatively speaking its hard to make any argument that he’s not even if he does get healthy. He’s got a lot of miles.
IN GAMES THAT COUNT GENTLEMEN. Stop thinking so much in terms of the regular season.
[quote]gregron wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Paul to the Lake Show for Gasol and Odom (three team deal… Gasol is going to Houston for Scola and two other dudes)
Now all we need to do is package Bynum and some picks to Orlando for Howard and things will be complete![/quote]
Damn. Gasol had to go, and I’m REALLY interested to see how Bryant does with an All-Star pg running the show with a different system. Bryant in a traditional NBA offense with a legit pg are two things we’ve never see. I really hope Howard goes anywhere but the Lakers. That’s too much and would turn into subtraction by addition.
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Face it: you have to be non-objective to think Kobe is the best in the game. No one who’s NOT A LAKERS FAN argues for Kobe as the best in the game, which means pretty obviously that he no longer is.
Plenty of people who don’t care about the Heat think LBJ/Wade are top 2… plenty who don’t care about the Magic think DH is top 2.
I don’t like or dislike the Lakers or Kobe one way or the other. But both are very overrated by their fan base. [/quote]
Clearly you do dislike Bryant 'cause you’re saying he’s overrated. There are SEVERAL people who are part of the pro game who still consider Bryant the best. I’m done arguing with you on this point as you seem to just want to bash the guy, and have been doing it now for the last couple of NBA threads. [/quote]
lol I’m just saying - I’ve never heard anyone who’s not a fan call him the best in the NBA.
I don’t think simply saying he’s not the best player in the NBA is a “bash”. It’s not like I’m calling him a detriment to the team. I just think a couple guys have passed him. It’s not like I am alone in this opinion.
I don’t think he’s overrated by most people - I do think you personally overrate him.
If there’s one theme in all my posts it’s that I draw people towards the middle… you think he’s the best and I disagree… but if someone was saying he’s like the 10th best I would also call them an idiot.
edited to fix quote fuckup[/quote]
To the casual fan he may no longer be the best. However, the casual fan has been raised on ESPN highlights. I bet the player consensus would be a healthy Kobe as the best player in the game right now. I’d bet a large sum of money on it. [/quote]
Healthy and 5 years younger are not the same thing. Is he the highest ranked current player on the GOAT list? Absolutely, maybe top 10 GOAT. Is he the best player in the league, healthy or otherwise? HELL NO! I would take that bet in an instant. He would probably be voted “Most Clutch” or something similar, but he is obviously well past his prime. This is not saying he’s a bad player, I put him 7th in my top 10, and you could arguably swap him with Derek Rose at 6th. But top 5, let alone #1? Only a Lakers fan drinking the last bit of koolaid would believe that.
Explain to me how Kobe is better than any of these guys: Lebron, Dirk, DWade, Howard, Durant.
And to the other guy, I am a Mavericks fan, nobody was happier than me to see Lebron choke in the fourth quarter of the finals. But I’m not foolish enough to think that one series defines who he is as a player (he played great through the rest of the playoffs). He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
This is just silly. How do you define “best player” across teams of different composition and positions? You cannot.
Let me put it this way. We are playing for all the marbles - the intergalactic basketball championship. One game for all the money. Your team is comprised of perfect players at every position except shooting guard and you have one opening. One game. One and done. You can choose between LBJ, Wade or a healthy Kobe.
LOL I have Kobe and I’m coming home with the trophy. LBJ, Wade, D-rose, etc. are not getting you that one win.
You’re confusing “relative performance” over a season with “best player”. You first need to resolves issues of “labels” (what is “best”) before you have the argument. [/quote]
No, see now you’re manipulating the conversation. This discussion isn’t about hypothetical scenarios or who is more skilled or better in his prime. This is about judging effectiveness based on face value right now. Trading Kobe for a LBJ, Wade, D-Rose, Dwight, or Durant would be fair simply because they are extreme talents on the rise while Kobe is on the decline. You have to think about the future and practicality. Past NBA threads have exhausted those extensive arguments about the “better” player.
ESPN did a list during the lockout of top-something players in the league right now and Kobe was no.7.[/quote]
By the way you also manipulated the conversation by introducing trades and relative value. Of course those trades are easy. But they do not speak to who the best player is right this moment.
You first have to define “best player”. To me, “best player” is the guy I want on my team for a must win, take it all game. At that position, right now, it’s a healthy Kobe and I think Wade is there with him, but I like Kobe’s psychological make-up and experience in big games better. He’s got a killer mentality on the court and he’s a smarter player. D-Rose is not yet in that conversation. LeBron’s body of work speaks for itself in big games so it’s not him. Dwight is a complimentary piece of a win-it-all team, not the focal point.
To illustrate the folly of guiding this argument by regular season production, D-Rose had a marvelous year, is a marvelous talent and his upside is tremendous. But based on his performance down the stretch in the play-offs, are you taking him over a healthy Kobe in that MUST WIN game? If you did you’d be a fool. Now, if I were building a team for years to come, would I take D-Rose straight up right now over Kobe? Of course. That’s a simple choice. In Sport, youth counts.
Whenever there is a legitimate GOAT discussion among informed parties, the discussion always centers around championships and production in big games. They don’t sit around talking about who the fuck the GOAT of the “regular season” was.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Paul to the Lake Show for Gasol and Odom (three team deal… Gasol is going to Houston for Scola and two other dudes)
Now all we need to do is package Bynum and some picks to Orlando for Howard and things will be complete![/quote]
Damn. Gasol had to go, and I’m REALLY interested to see how Bryant does with an All-Star pg running the show with a different system. Bryant in a traditional NBA offense with a legit pg are two things we’ve never see. I really hope Howard goes anywhere but the Lakers. That’s too much and would turn into subtraction by addition.[/quote]
could you imagine if CP and Howard played for the Lakers? Howard would get so many easy alley oops it wouldnt even be funny lol. And then if the D collapses you have kobe to kick out to??? Pshhhhhh! Ridiculous.
[quote]gregron wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Paul to the Lake Show for Gasol and Odom (three team deal… Gasol is going to Houston for Scola and two other dudes)
Now all we need to do is package Bynum and some picks to Orlando for Howard and things will be complete![/quote]
Damn. Gasol had to go, and I’m REALLY interested to see how Bryant does with an All-Star pg running the show with a different system. Bryant in a traditional NBA offense with a legit pg are two things we’ve never see. I really hope Howard goes anywhere but the Lakers. That’s too much and would turn into subtraction by addition.[/quote]
could you imagine if CP and Howard played for the Lakers? Howard would get so many easy alley oops it wouldnt even be funny lol. And then if the D collapses you have kobe to kick out to??? Pshhhhhh! Ridiculous.[/quote]
Haha, it would be like a real life NBA JAM. I understand Howards value, I just don’t want to see him as a Laker. This is gonna sound cheesy, but the best way I can put it is that takes away from the purity of the game. There’s so much new going on in LA I think that’d push it over the edge.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Paul to the Lake Show for Gasol and Odom (three team deal… Gasol is going to Houston for Scola and two other dudes)
Now all we need to do is package Bynum and some picks to Orlando for Howard and things will be complete![/quote]
Damn. Gasol had to go, and I’m REALLY interested to see how Bryant does with an All-Star pg running the show with a different system. Bryant in a traditional NBA offense with a legit pg are two things we’ve never see. I really hope Howard goes anywhere but the Lakers. That’s too much and would turn into subtraction by addition.[/quote]
could you imagine if CP and Howard played for the Lakers? Howard would get so many easy alley oops it wouldnt even be funny lol. And then if the D collapses you have kobe to kick out to??? Pshhhhhh! Ridiculous.[/quote]
Haha, it would be like a real life NBA JAM. I understand Howards value, I just don’t want to see him as a Laker. This is gonna sound cheesy, but the best way I can put it is that takes away from the purity of the game. There’s so much new going on in LA I think that’d push it over the edge.
[/quote]
Yeah I hear what you’re saying but as a lifelong Lakers fan I would love it haha. With Brown coaching (supposed Defensive mastermind) it’d be awesome to see Howard as the stopper in the middle. Hopefully Jabbar could work with Howard on his game like he did Bynum (all assuming that they actually sign howard)
How pissed would Orlando be? “God Damn it LA! First you take Shaq and now you take Howard! We hate you guys” lololol
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Face it: you have to be non-objective to think Kobe is the best in the game. No one who’s NOT A LAKERS FAN argues for Kobe as the best in the game, which means pretty obviously that he no longer is.
Plenty of people who don’t care about the Heat think LBJ/Wade are top 2… plenty who don’t care about the Magic think DH is top 2.
I don’t like or dislike the Lakers or Kobe one way or the other. But both are very overrated by their fan base. [/quote]
Clearly you do dislike Bryant 'cause you’re saying he’s overrated. There are SEVERAL people who are part of the pro game who still consider Bryant the best. I’m done arguing with you on this point as you seem to just want to bash the guy, and have been doing it now for the last couple of NBA threads. [/quote]
lol I’m just saying - I’ve never heard anyone who’s not a fan call him the best in the NBA.
I don’t think simply saying he’s not the best player in the NBA is a “bash”. It’s not like I’m calling him a detriment to the team. I just think a couple guys have passed him. It’s not like I am alone in this opinion.
I don’t think he’s overrated by most people - I do think you personally overrate him.
If there’s one theme in all my posts it’s that I draw people towards the middle… you think he’s the best and I disagree… but if someone was saying he’s like the 10th best I would also call them an idiot.
edited to fix quote fuckup[/quote]
To the casual fan he may no longer be the best. However, the casual fan has been raised on ESPN highlights. I bet the player consensus would be a healthy Kobe as the best player in the game right now. I’d bet a large sum of money on it. [/quote]
Healthy and 5 years younger are not the same thing. Is he the highest ranked current player on the GOAT list? Absolutely, maybe top 10 GOAT. Is he the best player in the league, healthy or otherwise? HELL NO! I would take that bet in an instant. He would probably be voted “Most Clutch” or something similar, but he is obviously well past his prime. This is not saying he’s a bad player, I put him 7th in my top 10, and you could arguably swap him with Derek Rose at 6th. But top 5, let alone #1? Only a Lakers fan drinking the last bit of koolaid would believe that.
Explain to me how Kobe is better than any of these guys: Lebron, Dirk, DWade, Howard, Durant.
And to the other guy, I am a Mavericks fan, nobody was happier than me to see Lebron choke in the fourth quarter of the finals. But I’m not foolish enough to think that one series defines who he is as a player (he played great through the rest of the playoffs). He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
This is just silly. How do you define “best player” across teams of different composition and positions? You cannot.
Let me put it this way. We are playing for all the marbles - the intergalactic basketball championship. One game for all the money. Your team is comprised of perfect players at every position except shooting guard and you have one opening. One game. One and done. You can choose between LBJ, Wade or a healthy Kobe.
LOL I have Kobe and I’m coming home with the trophy. LBJ, Wade, D-rose, etc. are not getting you that one win.
You’re confusing “relative performance” over a season with “best player”. You first need to resolves issues of “labels” (what is “best”) before you have the argument. [/quote]
No, see now you’re manipulating the conversation. This discussion isn’t about hypothetical scenarios or who is more skilled or better in his prime. This is about judging effectiveness based on face value right now. Trading Kobe for a LBJ, Wade, D-Rose, Dwight, or Durant would be fair simply because they are extreme talents on the rise while Kobe is on the decline. You have to think about the future and practicality. Past NBA threads have exhausted those extensive arguments about the “better” player.
ESPN did a list during the lockout of top-something players in the league right now and Kobe was no.7.[/quote]
By the way you also manipulated the conversation by introducing trades and relative value. Of course those trades are easy. But they do not speak to who the best player is right this moment.
You first have to define “best player”. To me, “best player” is the guy I want on my team for a must win, take it all game. At that position, right now, it’s a healthy Kobe and I think Wade is there with him, but I like Kobe’s psychological make-up and experience in big games better. He’s got a killer mentality on the court and he’s a smarter player. D-Rose is not yet in that conversation. LeBron’s body of work speaks for itself in big games so it’s not him. Dwight is a complimentary piece of a win-it-all team, not the focal point.
To illustrate the folly of guiding this argument by regular season production, D-Rose had a marvelous year, is a marvelous talent and his upside is tremendous. But based on his performance down the stretch in the play-offs, are you taking him over a healthy Kobe in that MUST WIN game? If you did you’d be a fool. Now, if I were building a team for years to come, would I take D-Rose straight up right now over Kobe? Of course. That’s a simple choice. In Sport, youth counts.
Whenever there is a legitimate GOAT discussion among informed parties, the discussion always centers around championships and production in big games. They don’t sit around talking about who the fuck the GOAT of the “regular season” was.[/quote]
To add to this, people seem to forget (or don’t realize) that the regular season is just a means to an end to championship contenders. They play their stars as much as they have to, but no more so they’re rested for when it counts.
A situation “when it counts” would be something like the Western Conference Semi Finals right?? Where Kobe got swept by the Mavericks?? Clutch right?? There was a time when Kobe was the best player in the league. He is not the best player RIGHT NOW.
And Dwight Howard is a complimentary piece? What sport are you watching?
I don’t care if you were the greatest basketball player to ever live, your opinions are ridiculous. It’s obvious you have not watched NBA basketball the last couple of seasons.
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
No he’s not.
You sir are the “casual fan”. I played the sport. Still in contact with those that played in the league. He is not regarded in that fashion at the present time although I do certainly understand why the average fan would feel that way. [/quote]
Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen both said they think when it’s all said and done, Lebron will be the best player to have ever played the game.
So much for opinion of the players as a valid argument huh??[/quote]
When “all is said and done” is a different animal than who the best player is now. There is no real argument against LBJ having the biggest upside, hence the statement. But he and his game are presently stagnant. The verdict is out.
[/quote]
The all said and done was Larry Bird.
Scottie Pippen said he was the greatest player ever.
Point being: Using the alleged opinion of the players as an argument doesn’t mean much.
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
So if best player is too broad, who was the most dominant player in the NBA last season from a statistical standpoint?
Does anyone here think that player was Kobe?
[/quote]
What does that matter? Teams have different compositions of players and you’re comparing among various positions. Most of the 80 or so games are meaningless. No, I don’t think that player was Kobe. I also think that “best player” is more than statistics. “Best player” is that guy you want in that one game. One and done. It aint LeBron and it damn sure isn’t D-rose (right now). There is a case to be made for Wade.[/quote]
It matters a lot. Statistics are a numerical representation of what actually happened.
The problem with a lot of the pro Kobe as the “best player” arguments is they are accompanied with if statements, prorated stats, and excuses.
“if healthy”
“he put up good numbers relative to the minutes he played”
“he was recovering from past few seasons”
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
[quote]overstand wrote:
He’s #1 no doubt about it.[/quote]
No he’s not.
You sir are the “casual fan”. I played the sport. Still in contact with those that played in the league. He is not regarded in that fashion at the present time although I do certainly understand why the average fan would feel that way. [/quote]
Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen both said they think when it’s all said and done, Lebron will be the best player to have ever played the game.
So much for opinion of the players as a valid argument huh??[/quote]
When “all is said and done” is a different animal than who the best player is now. There is no real argument against LBJ having the biggest upside, hence the statement. But he and his game are presently stagnant. The verdict is out.
[/quote]
The all said and done was Larry Bird.
Scottie Pippen said he was the greatest player ever.
Point being: Using the alleged opinion of the players as an argument doesn’t mean much.
[/quote]
You don’t have a point. And you’re misrepresenting the context of THEIR viewpoint which is, based on his upside, when all is said and done, he can go out as the best of all time (and he can). But he will not unless he wins and he’s going to have to win a few.
I thought the question and disagreement was, who is the best right now? It aint him. And neither Scottie or Larry (to my knowledge) is saying it’s him right now. He’s won nothing. He’s come up short in big games. He even did a Copperfield and disappeared himself at critical stretches and entire games last season. If he’s not hitting his jumper, in play-off ball (where good teams will not just let him buffalo his way up the open court) he is entirely defensible.
So your point is that among informed people (those that actually have played on that stage) that their opinion doesn’t count for much, but the guys at Tnation practicing to work out the best DO?? Huh?