Throwdowns > Closed

ElevenRingsSTL said 05/19, 05:59 PM
I will start by saying that my list on your other TD was off the top of my head with zero research, but I'll still defend it.

I'm a Celt fan and love KG, but no way should he be listed ahead of the Mailman. Malone was a far superior offensive player, averaging 25 a game to KG's 19.5, while playing very similar minutes per game. (37.2 MPG to 36.7 MPG for KG).

Malone was an 11 time All-NBA selection compared to 4 for KG. Malone was also a two time NBA MVP, compared to once for KG.

KG is a better defensive player with his 9 NBA 1st team selections, but Malone was no slouch defensively, being named to 3 1st defensive teams as well. The rebounding numbers are similar, but no way does KG's defensive play overshadow how much more of an offensive force Mailman was.


McHale and Pettit have to be compared with consideration to the eras in which they played. Though primarily a PF, Pettit was a giant at the time compared to many other players in the league. As a result, his per game offensive numbers are superior to McHale's, who spent much of his career as a 6th man.

McHale though, was the best PF of his era, and my next argument will support his ranking.

ElevenRingsSTL said 05/20, 04:55 PM
KG's D and DPOY is stellar, but does not overshadow Karl's offensive dominance or two MVPs.

You say KG had nothing comparable to Malone in talent around him, but Malone had Stockton and nothing else close to a HOFer. When KG won his one title, it was when he joined Pierce and Allen in Boston. Malone/Stockton carried Utah to a couple of Finals and likely would have won one if they hadn't been matched up against MJ.

McHale was 6th man by design, the same as Havlicek and others in Boston. It allowed deep Celtic teams to better take advantage of the matchup problems McHale provided.

I'll use your KG argument in reverse: McHale's numbers pale because he played on stacked Celtic teams. Were McHale on a lesser team, he could have easily been a 25 ppg guy if he were the go-to guy. McHale's status as a great PF is not diminished because he played with Larry, Robert and DJ. All of those guys stats were lessened because they shared the ball.

Pettit was great but took advantage of the times. The average NBA height in 1960 was 6'5, and there were only 4-5 players over 6-8. Pettit's numbers reflect his size advantage and ability to score over smaller defenders.

ElevenRingsSTL said 05/21, 10:55 PM
Wouldn't dispute that KG played a major role in the 08 championship, but again it was after he joined two HOFers. Had you given Mailman a second HOFer along with Stockton, he most assuredly would have won a ring.

I stated that Malone had nothing close to a second HOFer and apparently you agreed with me, as all you could offer up was Jeff Hornacek. Hornacek was a nice player, but nowhere close to HOF caliber, and very similar to the players KG lined up with in Minnesota.

KG has had a great career and I can't criticize it, but he still falls short of Malone's overall body of work. Second in all time points, 2 MVPs and took the Utah Jazz to two Finals appearances where they only lost because of MJ.


Pettit was not Shaq, but let's not pretend he didn't have a tremendous size advantage over the majority of people guarding him. Pettit has great numbers and he is definitely a Top 10 PF, but can't be considered Top 5.

You didn't refute my point about McHale putting up bigger numbers elsewhere. McHale was a tremendous scorer and one of the toughest defensive matchups in NBA history, given his size and numerous post moves.

Good TD, DJ. Thanks for the invite