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- 06/22/2012, 09:56AM ET
All-time NBA Three-on-Three team. One sub. And justify.
Jobo1045 said 06/22, 09:56 AM
Assuming we get every player in their prime...
Starting:
Michael Jordan
Reggie Miller
Shaquille O'Neal
Sub: Magic Johnson
Simply put... this team would be almost impossible to guard.
Jordan: Operating as a point/scorer. Not a whole lot to say about this pick. Lock down defender. Can score the ball in every way imaginable. Greatest of all time.
Shaq: The only way to guard his size would be to double team him and who do you double off - you simply could not guard him one on one. Not only was he a great scorer, but he passed extremely well for a big man which plays perfectly with Reggie. Potential problem if a team goes hack-a-shaq but who shoots free throws in a 3-on-3 game?
Reggie: Has anyone (Jordan/Kobe excluded) hated to lose more than Reggie Miller? The guy is one of the best pure three point shooters of all time and spaced the floor and used screens as well as anyone (Ray Allen being up there as well). Plays perfectly off Shaq demanding the double team and Jordan creating with the ball.
Magic: Can effectively sub in at any position, though might have a little trouble guarding an elite big man. We all know his game.
Darth Maim said 06/22, 10:39 AM
Nice topic, and because you didn't state that it would have to be 4 different players...here are my selections:
Michael Jordan
Oscar Robertson
Wilt Chamberlain
Sub: Magic Johnson
So my changes are Oscar for Reggie and Wilt for Shaq.
Robertson: Averaged monster stats for his career (25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists/game).
In addition Oscar was:
12x All-Star (1961-72)
9x All-NBA First Team (1961-1969)
3x All-Star MVP (1961, 1964, 1969)
NBA ROY (1961)
NBA MVP (1964)
NBA 50th Anniversary Team
Chamberlain: Was a stats beast (30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists/game)
And Wilt accomplished:
13 x All Star
11x Rebounding Champion
7x All-NBA First Team
7x Scoring Champion
4x MVP (1960, 1966-68)
NBA 50th Anniversary Team
So it comes down to Oscar over Reggie, and Wilt over Shaq.
Best of luck Jobo
Argument 2: Supporting evidence.....
Jobo1045 said 06/22, 11:24 AM
Can't argue stats against your team... Here's an attempt...
Shaq's best year (99-00) - 29.7 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.0 bpg
1x MVP
15x All Star
3x Finals MVP
3x NBA All Defensive Team
14 x All NBA Team
2x Scoring Champion
4x Rap Albums
2x Movie Star (Kazaam and Steel)
Reggie shot a career 39.5% from deep (not exactly comparable because Oscar played before the 3 point line and I honestly wont claim to know how he would have shot from 3)
5x All-Star
2,560 Career 3's
My argument is based on style of play, matchup problems, and will to win.
In his prime (and with the benefit of officiating) no one could stop Shaq one-on-one... Watch him dominate Yao at 7'6". Not sure Wilt ever had to physically guard someone with Shaq's sheer size and physical presence. There's never really been a player with quite the same physique as Shaq.
Reggie was an absolute competitor and knocked down big shots. Look at 8 points in 11 seconds to beat the Knicks in MSG. Not saying he would dominate the game against Oscar but would knock down the big shot if he left to double Jordan or Shaq in the paint.
Darth Maim said 06/22, 01:14 PM
Um, I am sure Shaq is proud about his rap album and his "blockbuster" movie career, however if you are comparing the basketball skills, I believe it is fair to say that he and Wilt may end up playing to a draw. They were both bigger than the competition and imposed their will on whoever they were playing at the time.
So, Oscar vs. Reggie:
You stated "My argument is based on style of play, matchup problems, and will to win."
Reggie only averaged 3.0 assists/game while Oscar contributed 9.5 assists. So in the style of play, Oscar would have the clear advantage in his passing ability to get MJ and Wilt the ball. Reggie would look to shoot first which isn't always the best strategy in 3 on 3 play.
And while Reggie (6'7 195) is 2' taller than Oscar (6'5 220), Oscar would have the the bulk advantage on his side. Once again, in 3 on 3 there is more of an emphasis on inside play. The same argument could be made for Shaq, however Wilt was a scoring machine and he played against Bill Russell, one of the best defensive centers ever, and was still able to hang 25 points and 20 rebounds on him.
Argument 3: Final summation.....
Jobo1045 said 06/22, 02:45 PM
Final Summation:
Jordan and Jordan play to a draw. Obvious Reasons.
Wilt and Shaq bang around inside and effectively play to a draw. However, I believe both of them demand a double team on occasion.
As you said, game comes down to the Oscar v. Reggie matchup. If this is 1-on-1 I'll give you Oscar all day. However, Jordan/Magic are my primary ball handler/decision makers and I'm looking to Reggie only to shoot. I don't need him to pass so I'm not worried about his assists.
Reggie's height plays more here than Oscar's bulk. We have two 7'0 centers clogging the paint effectively negating an inside matchup between the two of them. Oscar can use his weight to get by Miller and into the lane which will be clogged by Shaq. Granted, this does give him a dump off to Wilt. However, Jordan and Magic do that for me and Reggie can get into the lane when necessary.
Reggie's height allows him to shoot over Oscar and if you give him ANY room he's deadly from outside which would be exploited on any double team. He spaces the floor exceptionally well to get his shot.
Finally, Reggie is about as clutch and consistent as they come. He buries big shots. And 3's count more than 2's.
Darth Maim said 06/22, 03:05 PM
So, if we use your rationale..
Jordan vs. Jordan is a draw
Wilt vs. Shaq is a draw
It comes down to Oscar vs. Reggie. Here is why Oscar would be the better choice:
Scoring:
Oscar 25.7/game
Reggie 18.2/game
Advantage: OSCAR
Assists:
Oscar 9.5/game
Reggie 3.0/game
Advantage OSCAR
Rebounding:
Oscar 7.5/game
Reggie 3.0/game
Advantage OSCAR
So Oscar has a huge advantage in scoring, rebounding, and assists over Reggie and your assertion that "My argument is based on style of play, matchup problems, and will to win." is only helping my argument.
Style of play....Oscar can score more, pass better, and get the boards more consistently than Reggie.
Match-up problems....Oscar is a more well rounded player than Reggie.
Will to win....Oscar won a title, Reggie did not...but this is a moot point, so this is a wash.
When you look at the match-up it is very clear that Oscar was the better player and he would be able to use his skills to dominate a player who's only real strength is shooting 3's and Oscar was a deadly long-range shooter.
Best of luck in the future.....
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Comments (25) Add A Comment
Not sure if I will keep this.....
Darth Maim
Hades, FU
Total Comments (756)
Wow, have to disagree with your team.
How about this team, Jordan, LeBron, Wilt. As for a sub, I'll bring in Magic off the bench since he can play any position.
The three most unstoppable players of all time on one team. Jordan can shoot, LeBron can drive the lane, and Wilt can dominate the post. No questions asked.
As for Shaq, which Shaq are you talking about? If you have ever played 3-3, the game is about speed and athleticism. Shaq in his later years, LA Lakers and beyond, would be to big to play 3-3. Wilt would run circles around him. I don't think you thought this through to well before posting.
we_are___
State College, PA
Total Comments (266)
Agree to Disagree there. Speed and athleticism play a part, but I think you're underestimating the value of sheer size and pure shooting which help as well. I've been playing three on three my whole life and there's very few things harder to guard than someone who can bury it from deep consistently.
A young Shaq and even up into his early years with the Lakers moved fairly well and was big enough to put Lebron on his back a few times and make him think about coming into the paint. In no way trying say Shaq can or would be a defensive stopper on Wilt but he'd muscle him up and would battle him on offense.
3 on 3 is more about offense and as dominant as Wilt is 3's still count more than 2's and a Jordan/Lebron/Wilt team doesn't have a premier outside threat. Jordan was good but never great from deep.
Jobo1045
Total Comments (19)
Considered:
Oscar
LeBron
Wilt
Bird
If I had to select 4 completely different players than left submitted.....
Darth Maim
Hades, FU
Total Comments (756)
Have played in the Gus Macker 3 on 3 for 15 years now and know what kind of team can win 3 on 3 tournaments.....
Darth Maim
Hades, FU
Total Comments (756)
I think we can all agree we know how to play in and what type of teams can win in 3 on 3 tournaments... It's a game that allows for a lot of styles.
Jobo1045
Total Comments (19)
anyone who doesn't list LeBron is just a jealous hater who no longer has a basis for their hate....
---Loki---
Total Comments (9436)
You mention Wilt and you mention Jordan but omit LeBron as the outside threat when he'd EASILY be the biggest outside threat of the three....
---Loki---
Total Comments (9436)
Of the three he might be the biggest threat but he's far from a great outside shooter and would be most valuable driving and cutting into the lane ala the 2012 NBA Finals and they wouldnt want him shooting from outside as much
Jobo1045
Total Comments (19)
The team that can play defense would win the game. Outside of spacing what other offensive play can you run in 3 on 3 other than a pick and roll or pick and pop. I would consider a defense stopper who can still score as my sub may be a Pippen since he can cover 2 of the 3 positions well.
Hey Hey Hey...It's…
Total Comments (239)
I want winners
Bloggers Needed
Total Comments (2505)
Have to vote left. Listing NBA career stats and accolades doesn't tell me why those 4 guys would win in a 3v3 tournament.
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2115)
?? That makes no sense. I hate Lebron because he's a selfish tool. Winning a championship doesn't make him less of an ****.
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2115)
Don't we use stats to compare players? My assertion is that Oscar was a better all-around player which will make him a better player when playing 3 on 3.....
Darth Maim
Hades, FU
Total Comments (756)
Olajuwon, Magic and BIG O, Bird on the bench i bet for then in a 3vs 3 agains those teams, they have size, streng and can score from everywhere, always have double treat for any point, defense and offense
EL MEJOR
Total Comments (4)
Considered Bird, Dirk, and Lebron over Reggie. Thought Lebron would clash with Jordan. Dirk intrigued me because of his size and shooting ability. No real justification for Reggie over Bird. Ultimately decided on Reggie because I wanted the pure deep threat and will to win he brought. (This is in no way an indictment saying Larry Legend doesn't possess those exact qualities)
Jobo1045
Total Comments (19)
now, a team that can be as good is BILL Russell, No23 and lebron with pippen in the bench, very tough team with lebron as a playmaker, vs Wilt, isiah thomas and karl malone, in the bench Havlicek, vs jabbar, Dr J and stockton in the bench, moses malone and my final team is pistol pete with drexler and shag in the bench the admiral
EL MEJOR
Total Comments (4)
and in a mix durant , dirk and ewing with the logo from the bench, can u dig it?
EL MEJOR
Total Comments (4)
Magic Johnson
LeBron James
Oscar Robertson
Versatile players with an unselfish style.
(Un)
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16669)
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