http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/tag/NBACornerstones/
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Wade
4. Duncan
5. Carmelo
6. Nash
7. Arenas
8. Dwight Howard
9. Oden
10. Chris Paul
Summer of Answers: Why KG and Dirk Aren't Top 10 Cornerstones
With any list, there are tough choices to be made. In compiling our NBA Cornerstones countdown, we were forced to cut many worthy players. To make the Summer of Answers go down easier, we will now explain how and why some of these omissions occurred.
Kevin Garnett: For starters, KG is one of my favorite players in the league, no question. Why did we leave him off the list? Quite simply, I don't think anyone--and that includes you, feisty readers--knows how to make Garnett the center of a system or functional roster. Granted, Kevin McHale is incompetent, but Danny Ainge piling superstars atop him isn't a solution. That's called a lucky shortcut, and it's kind of the opposite of "building a team."
Garnett is a fantastic talent, but he's getting on in years, has taken one big shot in his career, and just doesn't lend himself to easy answers. While it's become a Simmons-fueled cliche to call KG "the league's greatest second banana," Garnett seems to make the most sense as an upgraded Shawn Marion, or the rightful heir to Scottie Pippen. If you don't believe me, look no further than the patchwork Wolves team that made the Western Finals. It worked only because there were two ballsy vets around to step in and take charge.
Dirk Nowitzki: This one is a lot easier. This past spring had a major effect on the way I view Dirk. His MVP was great and all, but the Warriors series exposed a lot of Nowitzki's weaknesses. My selection of Melo galled a lot of readers; I know that Anthony has his problems, but he's younger, and when it comes to offense, has an iron will where Dirk is fickle. It's also worth noting that Nowitzki has now been the centerpiece of two very different teams--neither of which suffered for a lack of depth--and both have lacked that final step of determination. In fact, he was at his best when Dallas was a more balanced Big Three team. Alongside Steve Nash and Michael Finley, Dirk could put in work without being asked to do it all.
I take issue with LBJ and D-Wade being ranked higher than Timmy (Cue Spurs homer comments). Assuming it's Timmy in '97 or, you know, pre-plantar fasciitis, I'd take him over anyone. I'd take him over Kobe because of TD's personality (Cue Or lack thereof comments), but, eh.
Duncan has to be #1 without any debate. After that, IMO it's Lebron second and then Kobe.
I'd take CP3 and Howard off that list and throw Dirk and KG in in their place.
Agreed. Duncan is so overlooked and underrated, its sickening.
3 Ships, loads of playoff games, a killer instinct in big games, will rip anyone on the team a new ass before, during and after a game...oh yeah, heckuva nice guy too.
Not good, but Great defender. Excellent offensive game either with his back to the basket, or facing up. Hustles, doesnt take plays off.
What the more do people need?
Yeah, so he included Oden.
Thats all I should have read before posting anything.
More hard-hitting and insightful sports journalism from AOL.
FIFY ^_~ (And yes, I caught the sarcasm.)
I take issue with Gilbert Arenas more than anyone else. He's one of the more exciting players to watch. He has amazing talent. But, he's not a cornerstone or franchise type player. He's a healthier and younger Baron Davis. He's going to put up a lot of points and get his share of assists, but he doesn't manage a game, control tempo, play defense, or inspire as a leader. Being a great talent and hitting a few game winning shots doesn't make you a franchise player. Ask Steve Francis.
www.m-w.com
a basic element : FOUNDATION <a cornerstone of foreign policy>
Meaning something you BUILD AROUND. We BUILT around Timmy...the Lakers haven't build $h!t, and DWade came as the supplemental element surrounding Snaq. Lebron I can't argue with but to put those 2 above TimmyD is ludicrous.
I think you take a big man like T.D. before anyone else to build a team around. I like the top 3 guys, but IMHO you build around a big man when one is available (Portland passing on MJ for Bowie being the obvious exception to my rule).
Oh yeah, and where's Yao Ming???? They list guys like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul and Gilbert Arenas, but they don't list Yao Ming?
He probably wasn't counting 1999.
Here's the Duncan piece. I posted just this one in the Spurs forum a few days ago.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007...st-cornerstone/
The Summer of Answers: Tim Duncan is the 4th Biggest Cornerstone
by Tom Ziller
The Summer of Answers takes on every NBA question you've ever wanted to ask ... such as, "Which player would you build a franchise around?"
You could make a 'Tim Duncan for MVP' case every season this decade. (He has two such trophies.) Not only has The Big Fundamental made the playoffs every season of his career, he's been the Spurs' best player on both ends of the floor every single campaign. Ten seasons of hard work, four rings, three Finals MVPs. This dude craps gold. But, as you may have heard... he's kind-of a dork. Dorks don't sell merchandise, unfortunately. But does it matter?
Pros: There really isn't a whole lot to say here. The definition of double-double. (Well, one of the definitions of double-double.) One season he dropped below 20 points per game; another season he slipped under 11 rebounds. He's dependable, playing 95% of his possible 788 regular season games. And he's averaged almost 38 minutes a game -- a lot of time for a big. He's the best post defender since Bill Russell. (Eight all-defense first team nods.) And the whole 'consummate pro, coachable superstar, incredible teammate, devoid of visible ego' thing.
Cons: Screw jersey hucksters. There's only one thing keeping Duncan this far off the peak of this list: He's 31 years old. He's racked up 33,000 minutes including the postseason. But again: He's been healthy. Even in the past two years, as he's assumedly aged -- he only missed four games. Duncan's probably good for seven more seasons, and he'll probably start dropping off within three. That assures better current options to build a longterm contender, sadly. But be discerning in choosing just any old 'next great hope' or risk watching TD and his Spurs sip some more Krug.
Final Verdict: No candidates have the pedigree as a franchise anchor... but a few are younger, and the age/potential combination boosts them above Big Fun. (No worries: Duncan wouldn't care, anyway.) Duncan could very well be the most underrated GOAT candidate of all time. The MUGOAT? Sounds like something from the D&D Monster Manual... which would probably suit TD just fine, actually.
nice to see a guy thats never played a game in the NBA ahead of Yao/dirk/KG.
Lebron should be 1 or 2. I mean if you take him off that team not only will fans not come and watch them, but the team will be unwatchable. You saw in the Finals how the basically everyone on the team is trash other than LBJ
Agreed - I would NOT pick Kobe. Duncan is not #1 because of his age only -
replace dwight howard with chris bosh
It's a toss-up between Lebron and Timmy - and based on age only. If age was not a factor I would take Timmy, absolutely. But both are the players of their respective decade (give or take a few years).
Just because the Lakers haven't built around Kobe doesn't mean that he's not a good player to build around. Lakers front office sucks.www.m-w.com
a basic element : FOUNDATION <a cornerstone of foreign policy>
Meaning something you BUILD AROUND. We BUILT around Timmy...the Lakers haven't build $h!t, and DWade came as the supplemental element surrounding Snaq. Lebron I can't argue with but to put those 2 above TimmyD is ludicrous.
Oden will be at the top of that list within 3 years.
For that reason, I also should probably abstain, but...
Two of the top three players on the list (none of whom should be listed aobve TD in terms of actual accomplishments) have only won championships with Shaq, yet Shaq isn't even mentioned in the "guys we left out" section. Yes, he's old, he's a fat dinosaur, and he has one of the few remaining bloated old CBA contracts. You still have to mention him, even if only to explain that's why he's no longer top ten.
Oden, who has never played a regulation minute and may even have health issues, is in the Top 10, however.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
yeah that ^^^^
to me tho, it is not only the amount that duncan is underrated, but the amount that Kobe is overrated.
yes. He is talented, unbelievably so. But it is all wasted, IMO.
Talent alone will not get you to the finish line. Humility and strength of character... teamwork.... unselfishness.
When will people give up the ghost on Kobe and stop proping him up to be the Alpha and Omega of basketball?
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
