The 2011 NBA Playoffs: If you want to crown them, then crown their ass!

Okay, with that criteria, here's my list, not in order. I cheated and have 11, because I don't know who to take off- MJ, Magic, Kareem, Bird, Stockton, Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem, Isaiah, Kobe, Lebron. Pip's not in the same category as those guys, but he's probably top 20 of that era.

In thinking about this list another question came to mind. Who would be on your top 15-20 list of "could have been great or greater"? I mean a player who was very talented, but something happened to hinder or derail his career, maybe an injury, personal issue or just being on the wrong team. I'm thinking of players like Larry Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Tracy McGrady and Alonzo Mourning. Maybe even a Yao Ming, Sam Bowie or Bill Walton.

 

I always had a special place in my heart for exceptionally skilled big men who just never had the athleticism or commitment to fitness to become a superstar (perhaps due to my personal identification with said players ). I'm thinking of guys like John "Hot Plate" Williams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Williams_%28basketball,_born_1966%29

 

This guy was one of the best I ever saw his freshman year at Clemson.

An amazing talent, his opportunity was cut short by drug use.

http://hoopshype.com/articles/greatest_ferranti.htm

Most have never even heard of him.

 

Actually, Steve Nash's wife . . .

http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nash_ex_wife_baby_daddy_identified_as_former_teammate/4492555

a shame, really . .

 

Rashard Lewis is still around? I thought he got swallowed by a sinkhole or something.

 

The later articles on that site seem to say that the rumor was false and raise a different rumor that maybe it was Steve who was cheating on his wife.

 

No Dirk? I know he is the enemy right now but the german has been terrific since the arrival to Dallas.

 

Are people going to create a rumor about some NBA player banging his mom/wife every time LeBron has a bad play-off game?

 

Lebron was wearing his hipster glasses walking in. That means trouble. But get in there deutsch.

 

Dallas about to choke this away. Such an offensive game, you'd think this would be Dallas by double digits.

Edit: Dallas up by 5 with momentum and under 1:30 left (ipad typing is slooow).

 

Wow...that was an exciting game.

Those Dallas 3 pointers were critical.

LeBron didn't come through in the 4th quarter once again.

 

Why have i not seen any shots of Mark Cuban during the Finals?

 

Lets not forget that the Lakers found themselves in the exact same position as the Heat right now and they still managed to win the title.

Since winning a game seven on the road is so difficult (only one team has done it in Finals history I believe) this'll either be Mavs in six or Heat in seven now. Although who can make any sort of prediction about this series?

Oh and looks like Adande's prediction of the Mavs still being due a good shooting night came true last night.

 

I can see them do it as long as Wade is fine... significant impact on the final result due to his absence and not being 100%.