Best 5 players over the past 25 years

[One_and_Done]

And it's to Lebron's credit that he got his flawed Heat team to perform so well. Heading into the season the Lakers were the favourites, because pundits could see the flaws the Heat had... but then after the Heat made the finals anyway, oddsmakers shifted to the Heat and held the Mavs in low regard. That was dumb in hindsight, given how they performed that playoffs, but there was still a myth Dirk was a playoff choker.

The 04 Lakers team may not have been flawless, but they didn't have anything like the systemic flaws the 2011 Heat had. The league was also weaker in 04. That Lakers team should have been runaway champs, and they lost entirely due to Kobe's garbage play.

[CobraCommander]

This too easy lol

[One_and_Done]

This too easy lol

The voting certainly suggests it's an easy choice.

[MavsDirk41]

And it's to Lebron's credit that he got his flawed Heat team to perform so well. Heading into the season the Lakers were the favourites, because pundits could see the flaws the Heat had... but then after the Heat made the finals anyway, oddsmakers shifted to the Heat and held the Mavs in low regard. That was dumb in hindsight, given how they performed that playoffs, but there was still a myth Dirk was a playoff choker.

The 04 Lakers team may not have been flawless, but they didn't have anything like the systemic flaws the 2011 Heat had. The league was also weaker in 04. That Lakers team should have been runaway champs, and they lost entirely due to Kobe's garbage play.

How many allstar teammates and six man of the year candidates did James need so that 2011 Miami Heat team wouldnt have squandered a 2-1 series lead?

[One_and_Done]

And it's to Lebron's credit that he got his flawed Heat team to perform so well. Heading into the season the Lakers were the favourites, because pundits could see the flaws the Heat had... but then after the Heat made the finals anyway, oddsmakers shifted to the Heat and held the Mavs in low regard. That was dumb in hindsight, given how they performed that playoffs, but there was still a myth Dirk was a playoff choker.

The 04 Lakers team may not have been flawless, but they didn't have anything like the systemic flaws the 2011 Heat had. The league was also weaker in 04. That Lakers team should have been runaway champs, and they lost entirely due to Kobe's garbage play.

How many allstar teammates and six man of the year candidates did James need so that 2011 Miami Heat team wouldnt have squandered a 2-1 series lead?

I don't think he needed any, so long as the pieces fit optimally around him. Wade was not an optimal fit next to Lebron. Nor was a starting unit of Joel Anthony and washed Mike Bibby. Bosh was a good fit once moved to the 5 the following year. Honestly though, just give Lebron 4 role players at each position with the talent and fit of Battier and they probably get up fine despite the talent downgrade.

Wade is a better player than Jaren Jackson in a vacuum, but the Heat would have been a better team if Lebron was starting next to Bosh, JJJ, Battier and say Derrick White.

[MavsDirk41]

And it's to Lebron's credit that he got his flawed Heat team to perform so well. Heading into the season the Lakers were the favourites, because pundits could see the flaws the Heat had... but then after the Heat made the finals anyway, oddsmakers shifted to the Heat and held the Mavs in low regard. That was dumb in hindsight, given how they performed that playoffs, but there was still a myth Dirk was a playoff choker.

The 04 Lakers team may not have been flawless, but they didn't have anything like the systemic flaws the 2011 Heat had. The league was also weaker in 04. That Lakers team should have been runaway champs, and they lost entirely due to Kobe's garbage play.

How many allstar teammates and six man of the year candidates did James need so that 2011 Miami Heat team wouldnt have squandered a 2-1 series lead?

I don't think he needed any, so long as the pieces fit optimally around him. Wade was not an optimal fit next to Lebron. Nor was a starting unit of Joel Anthony and washed Mike Bibby. Bosh was a good fit once moved to the 5 the following year. Honestly though, just give Lebron 4 role players at each position with the talent and fit of Battier and they probably get up fine despite the talent downgrade.

Wade is a better player than Jaren Jackson in a vacuum, but the Heat would have been a better team if Lebron was starting next to Bosh, JJJ, Battier and say Derrick White.

So James, Bosh, and Wade decided they were going to team up together knowing that due to their salaries they couldnt have a deep bench because having 3 allstars on a team is typically expensive, but instead of saying it didnt work out and they blew a 2-1 series lead, you are going to continue making excuses? Maybe if Wade didnt shoot so many free throws in the finals Dirk gets a ring in 06? Or if Nash didnt leave Dallas for Phoenix, or if Cuban could land a big fish in free agency Dirk might have 4 or 5 rings…..is that how your thinking works?

[art_tatum]

Voting seem to suggest a lot of people didn't pick 5 lol. Guess they have agendas.

[Hatrick Ewing]

I assume you're joking with Pierce. Did you forget how to type Lebron and Shaq?

Shaq had a way shorter prime than Pierce and that's a fact.

Pierce was voteď in the top 10 for MVP once in his whole career, when he was 7th. Shaq was a perennial MVP candidate. They were not the same.

Pierce could defend multiple positions and would be even more valuable in today's game. Pierce never had a teammate as good as Kobe. Pierce never asked for a trade. Pierce is more skilled (can shoot, dribble).

[One_and_Done]

How many allstar teammates and six man of the year candidates did James need so that 2011 Miami Heat team wouldnt have squandered a 2-1 series lead?

I don't think he needed any, so long as the pieces fit optimally around him. Wade was not an optimal fit next to Lebron. Nor was a starting unit of Joel Anthony and washed Mike Bibby. Bosh was a good fit once moved to the 5 the following year. Honestly though, just give Lebron 4 role players at each position with the talent and fit of Battier and they probably get up fine despite the talent downgrade.

Wade is a better player than Jaren Jackson in a vacuum, but the Heat would have been a better team if Lebron was starting next to Bosh, JJJ, Battier and say Derrick White.

So James, Bosh, and Wade decided they were going to team up together knowing that due to their salaries they couldnt have a deep bench because having 3 allstars on a team is typically expensive, but instead of saying it didnt work out and they blew a 2-1 series lead, you are going to continue making excuses? Maybe if Wade didnt shoot so many free throws in the finals Dirk gets a ring in 06? Or if Nash didnt leave Dallas for Phoenix, or if Cuban could land a big fish in free agency Dirk might have 4 or 5 rings…..is that how your thinking works?

Players aren't great at being GMs.

[One_and_Done]

Shaq had a way shorter prime than Pierce and that's a fact.

Pierce was voteď in the top 10 for MVP once in his whole career, when he was 7th. Shaq was a perennial MVP candidate. They were not the same.

Pierce could defend multiple positions and would be even more valuable in today's game. Pierce never had a teammate as good as Kobe. Pierce never asked for a trade. Pierce is more skilled (can shoot, dribble).

Pierce had KG, who was better than Kobe.

You're not being serious right now. Pierce isn't on the same tier as Shaq, or even close.

[SA37]

This is a bit difficult because the league has changed so much over the last 25 years.

1. Jokic
2. Duncan
3. LeBron
4. Shaq
5. Wade

[GamecockFan1024]

1 - Curry
2 - KD
3 - Lebron
4 - KG
5 - Shaq

Just assumed Kobe wasn't an option since he wasn't listed.

[One_and_Done]

1 - Curry
2 - KD
3 - Lebron
4 - KG
5 - Shaq

Just assumed Kobe wasn't an option since he wasn't listed.

That's what the 'other' option is for, I only listed the 9 best players.

[Matt15]

Lebron
Duncan
Kobe
Curry
Shaq

[NBA4Lyfe]

lol take out luka and put in harden

[One_and_Done]

lol take out luka and put in harden

I considered Harden before Kobe, but on balance I had to go with Luka. There were tougher cuts than Harden at any rate.

[2020]

Not having Kobe as an option is an oversight.

I think there's very little argument that Kobe is better than any of those 9 guys. The stats don't even think it's close. There are at least half a dozen guys who I'd have listed over Kobe that missed the cut.

Kobe: 9 first-team all defense teams. 5 titles in 2 different eras.
I know his 55% true shooting isn't fantastic, but he was a winner and a real menace on D. Good rebounder who became a great rebounder when it mattered most.

I'd sure like to see these other "half dozen" players you would include over Kobe in the list.

[One_and_Done]

I think there's very little argument that Kobe is better than any of those 9 guys. The stats don't even think it's close. There are at least half a dozen guys who I'd have listed over Kobe that missed the cut.

Kobe: 9 first-team all defense teams. 5 titles in 2 different eras.
I know his 55% true shooting isn't fantastic, but he was a winner and a real menace on D. Good rebounder who became a great rebounder when it mattered most.

I'd sure like to see these other "half dozen" players you would include over Kobe in the list.

To start with? Dirk, SGA, D.Rob, Harden, Embiid, CP3, Nash, Wade, K.Malone, maybe Kawhi depending on how I feel about his longevity, maybe Tatum too. Butler's runs in 20, 22 and 23 are more impressive of a carry job than anything Kobe ever did tbh.

[RoyceDa59]

The first 4 are locks, don’t care what order

LeBron
Duncan
Kobe
Curry

The 5th should be Shaq but 25 years cuts off his 90’s production so it leaves the door open for Durant, KG, Dirk, Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi.

Luka probably gets this spot but he simply hasn’t done enough yet.

I’d probably give it to Shaq either way because 2000-2002 Shaq is the most dominant player on this list and of all time.

[One_and_Done]

The first 4 are locks, don’t care what order

LeBron
Duncan
Kobe
Curry

The 5th should be Shaq but 25 years cuts off his 90’s production so it leaves the door open for Durant, KG, Dirk, Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi.

Luka probably gets this spot but he simply hasn’t done enough yet.

I’d probably give it to Shaq either way because 2000-2002 Shaq is the most dominant player on this list and of all time.

If you read the OP you'd understand this is not limited to that 25 yr period. You can project forward, and are taking someone's whole career.

Kobe has no business over Shaq.