I think he was still the 6th man, though, no?
I looked it up. Jalen started all 23 games and played 41 minutes a game.
Yes, Rice was a starter on the 2000 Lakers.
If not for some seriously shady refereeing, the answer should be Chris Webber in 2002. I guess without the LeBron Takeover in 2007, the answer would be Webber once more.
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Hold up, Chris Webber was starting for the 2007 Pistons? Man I do not remember that whatsoever
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The redemption storyline would have been insane had they won. So emotionally appealing. Was going to be a longshot of course.
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Yep. Even though he was a shell of his All-Star self, he really turned the Pistonsā season around that year. His passing was still a thing of beauty.
Flip probably shouldāve played him more vs. the Cavs. Years ago, I painstakingly went through the play-by-play of that series and nearly every time Webber was on the floor, they were either a plus or played the Cavs evenly.
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It sure looked like it was going to be a Pistons/Suns Finals for a while. Then LeBron went off and Horry hip-checked Nash into the scorers table and Amare took two steps too many away from the bench.
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He was only there for about half the year, got waived by the 76ers and Pistons picked him up. Started in all 16 of their playoff games that year. It was the season where it was tied 2-2, with home team winning all 4 games, heading into Game 5 at the Palace. Lebron scored 25 straight points, including 18 in the OTs to win the game. Game 6, Daniel Gibson went off and hit about a million threes.
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I remember the series well enough. Mostly because it was really Lebronās coming out party. I just pretty much thought Webber was washed by then but looks like he played well and found a good role. Iām not a Pistons fan if that makes it more understandable.
In modern basketball Webber would have been a killer Center. Similar game to Bam, honestly. With more scoring.
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Or a more athletic Jokic.
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More scoring and an near incalculably worse defender.
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Statistical profile aside, Jokic is literally the most singularly unique player in my lifetime.
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How young are you?
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Webber had a very good NBA career during his era (before injuries robbed him of his athleticism). In this era where there are no bruising PFs standing on the block and it is more flowing, shooting, passing league? Heād be insanely fun to watch.
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- A 7ā1ā chubby guy slinging one hand passes all over the floor and serving essentially as the team shot creator is not something Iāve seen. There is no big man in the history of basketball that is, statistically, at Jokicās level as a passer. Iāve certainly never seen someone with the same visible playing style.
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He reminds me a lot of Vlade. Granted a little better but Vlade wouldāve thrived in this era too. Iād say Sabonis was in that realm too but we never got to see his best in the USA.
Iād also argue that Wilt was on par as a passer. He averaged almost 9 per game one year and had another season that was better than Jokicās career best.
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So who checks Duncan in the Finals? Iām guessing LeBron will get some time on him but I think Morris might be the primary guy.
I never saw Willis Reed play, but how does he compare? Jocic also has the ability to dribble and shoot - not something you are. Sabonis in his prime would have been fun to see.
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Reed was before my time. I know they compared Kevin Loveās outlet passes to Willis, though.
I hate to be THAT GUY, but comparing any player that played in the 60s to any modern player is just a pointless exercise. May as well have been playing different sports
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