With no end in sight to the postponing or canceling of live sporting events due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are relegated to debate what-ifs. So, why not.
A great argument surfacing on Twitter is which team would win if the best players from their respective era played an imaginary game or series against the best players from a different era.
The team of the ’80s/90’s looks unbeatable. A Backcourt of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan would be orgasmic for any hoops fan. Larry Bird and Hakeem Olajuwon at the Forward positions would certainly be intriguing. Don’t forget, Hakeem spent his first four years playing alongside 7’4″ Ralph Sampson.
Center is manned by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who along with LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Bill Russell, is in the short discussion as to who is the NBA’s GOAT.
The team of the last 20 years is also loaded.
This particular exercise has Dwyane Wade at point guard. I would replace D-Wade with Steph Curry. But, since I’m remaining disciplined, I will stick with the options given to me.
The modern Backcourt pairs up Wade with Kobe Bryant. It’s been slightly more than two months since Kobe, along with eight others, including his daughter, died in a helicopter crash. 2020 has sucked. We can all agree on that.
The modern Frontcourt would be LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal. No argument with that threesome.
Which Of These Recent #BasketballHOF
inductees Had The Greatest Career? #NBA #KobeBryant#TimDuncan#KevinGarnettMORE PODCASTS From FPC
- Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm— John Sapochetti (@johnsap25) April 6, 2020
Let’s tip it off.
At Point Guard “Magic” has a clear edge over Wade. The shooting guard matchup would be sexy. Jordan vs. Kobe would feel like a dad-son matchup. Kobe was essentially 92% of Michael Jordan. In this case, the original gets the nod over the replica.
Small Forward is as intriguing as shooting guard. Both Larry Bird and LeBron James were/are unstoppable scorers while also being the two greatest frontcourt passers in league history. LeBron’s peak has been twice as long as Bird’s. In addition, LeBron is a vastly superior defender. LeBron over Bird.
Power Forward matches up Hakeem Olajuwon and Tim Duncan. These two all-time greats are essentially the same player. Both were pure perfection. Like LeBron over Bird, Duncan’s peak was longer than Olajuwon’s. The Big Fundamental slightly over The Dream.
The ultimate contrast in styles occurs at center. Graceful, elegant and cerebral best describe Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Powerful and destructible are appropriate to characterize Shaquille O’Neal.
Kareem’s sky-hook is the most unstoppable shot in league history. Shaq’s drop step and dunk weren’t far behind. Kareem’s six league MVP’s and six Championships gives him the edge over Shaq’s single league MVP and four Titles.
So the ’80s/90’s team has the edge at point guard, shooting guard and center. The 21st-century team is better at the two forward positions.
A method I have used is to rank these players within my all-time top 30 list. Next to each player is where I rank them. Add the numbers and the team with the LOWER number wins.
The 80’s/90’s Team:
Magic (6)
Jordan (2)
Bird (7)
Olajuwon (13)
Abdul-Jabbar (4)
Total Points (32)
The 21st Century Team:
Wade (24)
Kobe (9)
LeBron (1)
Duncan (8)
Shaq (13)
Total Points (55)
The ’80s/90’s team is the choice. We will never know how this mythical game or series would turn out. It is still worth dreaming about during this nightmarish time.
John Sapochetti is Co-Host
Of The “SAP & KAT SHOW”
Heard On FullPressCoverage
Follow Him On Twitter @JohnSap25
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Ep 167: Discussing Buddy Parker With Hall of Fame Voter Paul Kuharskyby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2023 at 1:23 am
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Paul Kuharsky joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
A Film Room look at the week 4 College Football Matchupsby LandryFootball.com on September 22, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Six nationally-ranked matchups and several others in the spotlight pitting […]
-
Biggest Surprises in NFL through Week 2by LandryFootball.com on September 21, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Two weeks into the NFL season is too small of a sample size to make […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Campby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Farby Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Steelers at Raiders - Eagles at Bucs - Rams at Bengalsby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Phoenix Suns Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
CFB Daily: SEC, Pac-12, Week 4 Gamesby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Episode 113: What in the Halas Hell?by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Cowboys at Cardinals - Bears at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Patriots at Jets - Bills at Commanders - Panthers at Seahawksby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Philadelphia 76ers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "NFL Picks"by Boot 2 The Face on September 7, 2023 at 1:59 am
Boys are back talking CM Punk firing, AEW All Out, WWE Payback and picking […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 182: Michelle McCoolby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're looking at the career of Michelle McCool. A teacher by […]