NBA Slam Dunk Kings of the 1990s

The 1980s was not only the decade that brought about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but it had dunking mega stars. The 1990s also gave us a pantheon of great dunkers, albeit with lesser name value. When the 80s torch was passed in 1991 from Dominique Wilkins, easily an 80s standout, it was picked up first by Dee Brown. Each contributor throughout the decade had their gravity-defying feats to the lore of the Slam Dunk contest.

Dee Brown (1991)

Dee Brown kick-started the 90s with one of the most iconic Slam Dunk contest win. Famously remembered for his no-look dunk, Brown pumped up his Reeboks before creating magic on the floor. The image of Brown, arm swung over his eyes as he hammered down a gob-smacking dunk, has been etched into NBA All-Star weekend history forever.

Cedric Ceballos (1992)

Cedric Ceballos took a page out of Dee Brown’s book by adding a blindfold to his dunk routine. The highlight of the night was his self-proclaimed “Hocus Pocus” dunk where he completed a moving slam dunk while fully blindfolded. This dunk sealed his win and terrified every fan on his path to glory.

Harold Miner (1993, 1995)

Nicknamed ‘Baby Jordan’, Harold Miner’s power and finesse mirrored that of the great Michael Jordan. Miner won the Slam Dunk contest twice, enthralling fans with his soaring vertical leap and muscular dunks that would have been worthy of Jordan himself.

“I think the Slam Dunk Contest was a good barometer of the creativity and athleticism in basketball during that time.” – Harold Miner

Isaiah Rider (1994)

Isaiah Rider left an indelible mark on the Slam Dunk contest with his spectacular “East Bay Funk Dunk”. An astonishing through-the-leg dunk that brought fans onto their feet and crowned him the dunk king of 1994.

Kobe Bryant (1997)

A special mention has to be given to the 18-year-old Kobe Bryant, who became the youngest player ever to win the Slam Dunk contest. His acrobatic displays of dunks ignited his superstar career in the NBA. An unforgettable performance indeed!

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The NBA is widely regarded as the premier basketball league worldwide, making it the ultimate objective for many basketball players. Some players work hard to realize their NBA dreams, while others are actively sought after by NBA teams.

However, only a select few possess the exceptional abilities required to compete in the NBA. Unfortunately, some of these talented individuals have made choices that have resulted in their inability to play in the league.

Numerous factors contributed to their decision not to join the Association, such as drug-related concerns, tragic deaths, monetary limitations, flawed evaluations by NBA talent scouts, and additional influences.

Our discussion will focus on the seven most prominent basketball players who never competed in the NBA.

Good Basketball Players Who Never Made It to the NBA

1.Dejan “White Magic” Bodiroga

While Dejan Bodiroga may not be a household name in America, he is a widely recognized figure in the basketball world. Standing at an impressive 6’9″, he exhibited his talents in several countries, including Yugoslavia, Italy, Spain, and Greece, consistently outperforming his opponents. Bodiroga earned numerous MVP awards, including two EuroLeague MVPs and a FIBA World Cup MVP in 2002.

Bodiroga was a consistent scorer, often achieving 20 points and 5 rebounds per game. Despite being selected by Sacramento in the second round of the 1995 draft, he declined to play in the NBA and instead became a dominant force in European basketball.

At the 1996 Olympics, Bodiroga led the Yugoslav national team to a second-place finish, narrowly losing to a star-studded U.S. team featuring Reggie Miller and David Robinson. Bodiroga retired from basketball in 2007, leaving behind a legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players

2. Sergio Llull

Although the NBA has expressed interest in Sergio Llull, he has opted to remain satisfied with his accomplishments at Real Madrid. Llull, who excels as a versatile guard, possesses remarkable speed and exceptional long-range shooting abilities. 

During the 2016-17 season, Llull was honored with the EuroLeague MVP award and has since become a prominent member of the Spanish national basketball team, which has also seen the emergence of NBA talents such as Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon. Llull’s impressive achievements include winning two Olympic medals representing Spain – a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2016.

Although he was selected as the 34th pick by the Nuggets in the 2009 Draft, the Rockets purchased his draft rights for a significant amount of $2.25 million, which was considered substantial at the time. Nevertheless, Llull has chosen to remain loyal to Real Madrid for the entirety of his career.

3. Skip Wise

Skip Wise was a standout player at a Baltimore high school in the 1970s, leading his team from Dunbar to victory against the dominant DeMatha squad, which included future Basketball Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley. 

Standing at 6’2″, Wise was a robust guard who excelled at Clemson. He made history as the inaugural freshman to earn first-team All-ACC, with an impressive average of 18 PPG. Despite his talent, he left college after only a year to join the American Basketball Association. 

Unfortunately, his career was derailed by drug use, as was the case with several others on this list. He was caught using heroin while playing for the Warriors and was promptly released. Wise later joined the Spurs, but his stint with the team was short-lived as he was released after just two games. He was later incarcerated for drug trafficking. After his career ended, Wise returned to Baltimore and began working at a community center.

4. Dimitris Diamantidis

Dimitris Diamantidis enjoyed a prosperous basketball profession in Europe, but unfortunately, he was not chosen in the 2002 NBA Draft. 

Even though NBA teams tried to recruit him later on, Diamantidis decided to stay in Europe, as confirmed by his former coach Kostas Pilafidis. 

Diamantidis’ unselfish and adaptable playing approach has earned him a multitude of awards in European basketball, such as three Euroleague titles, an MVP recognition, six Best Defender honors, nine Greek League championships, and numerous others.

5. Lenny Cooke

Although LeBron James was considered a rising star after finishing high school, he wasn’t always the top prospect in his class. Surprisingly, Lenny Cooke was ranked higher than both James and Carmelo Anthony.

However, Cooke’s luck took a turn for the worse when he entered the NBA Draft a year earlier than planned. Despite receiving assurances from agents and NBA teams that he would be selected, Cooke was ultimately left undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Despite his potential, he had to settle for playing in minor basketball leagues. Although the Boston Celtics invited him to play in the NBA Summer League, he never received an NBA contract. As a result, he decided to showcase his skills overseas, playing in China and the Philippines.

6. Earl Manigault

With a remarkable height of 6’1, Earl Manigault exhibited extraordinary athleticism that was unmatched in his time. 

He gained recognition in high school by achieving a New York record of 57 points, which drew the interest of numerous people. 

Even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the top scorer in NBA history, admitted that Manigault was his toughest adversary.

7. Ramunas Siskauskas

Ramunas Siskauskas could arguably be considered the most exceptional basketball player to never play in the NBA. DraftExpress deemed him the most versatile player outside of the NBA.

Although he didn’t showcase his versatility in the NBA, Siskauskas dominated in Europe, securing two Euroleague championships, five Russian League titles, and the Euroleague MVP award.

During the 2010 Preseason Games, Siskauskas came closest to playing in the NBA, leading CSKA Moscow to a 90-87 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 22-point performance.

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The fast-paced game of basketball requires players to exert themselves both on offense and defense, despite the smaller court size when compared to baseball and football fields. LaMelo Ball has been noted by NBA’s Advanced Stats as covering the most distance among all players, averaging 2.77 miles per game, with Fred VanVleet coming in a close second at 2.76 miles.

To play substantial minutes in basketball, players must uphold their physical fitness. However, the extended regular season often leads to injuries. If a player fails to stay in good shape, they may face decreased playing time or an abrupt end to their career. Although players may wish to postpone the inevitable, ultimately, Father Time triumphs.

Despite their lengthy NBA careers, these players are no longer performing at their peak level and are expected to retire after the 2022-23 season due to their limited court time and decreased contributions. However, their younger teammates can benefit from their extensive experience and knowledge.

NBA Players Who May Be Retiring After the 2023 Season

1) JaVale McGee

In the 2019-20 season, the center from the University of Nevada had an average of 12 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, three years later, he is now playing for the Dallas Mavericks and only gets limited playing time, averaging 4.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists. The Mavericks already have Christian Wood and Dwight Powell in the position, making them well-equipped

If JaVale McGee decides to retire from the NBA, it would be a noteworthy conclusion to the career of one of the league’s most renowned players in a supporting role. It’s easy to forget that he has contributed to three NBA championship victories by executing his duties on those teams.

2) Thaddeus Young

In the 2020-21 season, Thaddeus Young received the NBA Hustle Award for his remarkable hustle statistics, including his proficiency in setting screens and diving for loose balls. While this recognition is commendable, it is noteworthy that Young nearly accomplished a double-double (15.1 points, nine rebounds) during the 2015-16 season with the Brooklyn Nets.

Although initially recognized as a skilled player on both offense and defense, the seasoned athlete’s abilities have significantly deteriorated during his sophomore year with the Toronto Raptors. As of March 11, his average performance has dwindled to only 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Despite being officially included in the team’s roster, he has yet to participate in any games due to the exceptional performances of Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl, Chris Boucher, and Precious Achiuwa.

3) George Hill

One NBA player who may want to think about retiring is George Hill. The 36-year-old point guard has had a long career, playing for eight different teams, including two separate stints with the Pacers. He was with the franchise from 2011 to 2016 and played in 55 playoff games during that time. Although Hill hasn’t been a significant contributor in recent years, his veteran leadership is still valuable to a young Pacers team. His experience could help guide the team’s up-and-coming players. If Hill chooses to retire, he will do so in his hometown of Indianapolis.

As per recent reports, Hill has conveyed his wish to keep playing basketball and has no intentions of retiring anytime soon. Nevertheless, in the event of his deciding to call it quits, he has explicitly stated his desire to conclude his career as a Pacers player. Hill has been an outstanding basketball ambassador in Indianapolis for more than a decade and has become a revered personality in the city. His contributions to the sport and the community will be etched in memory forever.

4) LeBron James

LeBron James, a 38-year-old basketball player with 20 seasons of experience under his belt and currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, should contemplate retirement, in my opinion. While I understand that this viewpoint may not be well-received by his ardent supporters, I believe the King must step down soon.

Do not misunderstand me, I have great admiration for LeBron James and regard him as one of the NBA’s finest players of all time. Nonetheless, I think that retiring in 2023 is the best decision for him. His legacy is already established, and he has accomplished unparalleled success in his career, including becoming the all-time leading scorer. He has nothing left to demonstrate on the court, and it is time for him to concentrate on his personal life and other pursuits.

His impressive durability can be attributed to his meticulous self-care and strict fitness regimen, enabling him to remain a valuable player despite minor injuries. However, there are signs of his decline, and it’s unlikely that the Lakers will be contenders for a championship. If he were to retire now, he could avoid the unfortunate fate of being overshadowed by younger players and relegated to a role player.

Despite this, his competitive drive and desire to play alongside his eldest son, who will be eligible for the NBA in 2024, may motivate him to continue playing until then. He is currently under contract with the Lakers until that year and is one of the highest-paid players in the league. Nevertheless, retiring would be a wiser decision for his legacy.

5) Goran Dragic

Since joining the league in 2008, Goran Dragic has been in pursuit of an NBA championship. His quest may finally be fulfilled in 2023 if he signs with the Milwaukee Bucks following his release from the Chicago Bulls. Nonetheless, he may encounter difficulty in earning playing time as a point guard due to the presence of Jrue Holiday and Jevon Carter.

Considering that Dragic’s basketball prime is now in the past, it may be time for him to contemplate retirement. During the 2022-23 season, his performance was underwhelming, with just 6.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, which falls short of his career highs. Despite not securing a championship, he has had a successful career, including winning the NBA Most Improved Player award in 2014, being selected for the All-NBA Third Team, and being named the Most Valuable Player in the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket. He was also a one-time NBA All-Star.

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Top Five 2023 NBA Draft Prospects

5. Jarace Walker (PF)

With a 6’8″, 240-pound frame, Jarace Walker instantly comes into the league with the perfect size for an NBA forward. His strength and physicality play a big role on both ends of the floor. On offense, Walker has a knack for getting to the rim with multiple moves and finishing through contact. He can also use those same moves to be effective from midrange and beyond the arc, becoming an a scorer in many areas. Walker’s ability to pass is also one of his strong suits, hitting his teammates in stride off the dribble and making great outlet passes in transition.

That strength and physicality translate on defense as well, detouring opponents from getting to the paint and being able to gaurd it. Walker is a disruptive defender, using his 7-foot-2 wingspan to hover over his opponent and block shots as well as create turnovers. He is a smart defensive player and is one of the best all-around on that side of the floor. There’s a lot to like about Walker’s physical tools that can translate well into the NBA.

4. Amen Thompson (PG/SG)

The top three picks seemed to be stapled leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft but Amen Thompson has made a pretty good case to move up. Once he gets drafted, he will immediately become one of the best pure athletes in the league. Thompson’s playmaking and skillset jump off the charts. As a scorer, he is able to get to and attack the rim with his explosive first step and quick burst/blow by speed, finishing with the best of them. He can also get to the rim with his ball-handling/crossover moves.

Thompson has great instincts and basketball IQ that allow him to become a great facilitator. He sees the floor well to be a creative and decisive passer. His defensive abilities added on make him a great prospect. Thompson has active hands and the length to poke the ball away and create steals, becoming a desruptive defender for anyone. That, in turn, turns into instant offense with his ability to push the ball up the floor. While his shot might need a little improvement, Thompson’s skill makes him one of the best players in this draft.

3. Brandon Miller (SF)

Coming out of Alabama, Brandon Miller is known as one of the best shooters in this class. With his shot mechanics and release, he is a smooth mid-range shooter and has elite range to knock down threes from anywhere. Miller also can hit different kinds of shots, whether it’s in rhythm, off the dribble, or turnaround jumpers. His size at 6’9″, 200 pounds allows him to shoot over anyone with ease.

Miller also delivers in different ways with the ball, having great vision to accurately find his teammates anywhere on the court. On the defensive end, the young forward has quick lateral movement and uses his length to become an active shot-blocker. With Miller’s natural ability to score from anywhere, he becomes a valuable asset and would surprise no one if he went second overall.

2. Scoot Henderson (PG)

If it wasn’t for a generational talent at number one, Scoot Henderson would be on top. Now that just means the Hornets can get a number one pick at number two overall. His strength and athleticism stand out above the rest, making him a pure athlete at just 6’2″. His nearly 7-foot wingspan makes up for his lack of size as well.

His explosiveness on offense makes him one of the best scorers in the 2023 NBA Draft. While Henderson is a really good mid-range shooter, it would take his game to a whole other level as a shooter if he improved his three-point shot. He also combined his great scoring ability with his great passing ability, becoming a great facilitator. Scoot has room to improve on the defensive end but displays some feistiness. He will fight with Miller for the right to go number two overall.

1. Victor Wembanyama (PF/C)

Known as the best prospect since LeBron James in 2003, Victor Wembanyama is projected to change the course of a franchise for years to come and in this case, that would be the Spurs. If his 7’3″ frame wasn’t terrorizing enough, he also possesses the skills to be absolutely dominant in every aspect. Wembanyama is able to create his own offense, showing great shot-making ability while also being able to finish above the rim. He can move the ball quickly as a passer and is an elite playmaker anywhere on the floor.

If his offense wasn’t enough, his play on the other end of the court makes him the complete package. Wembanyama can be a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He uses his eight-foot wingspan to block shots at a high level whether it’s at the rim or away from it. The 19-year-old superstar also can knock defenders off of their path and deteriorate them from getting to the paint. He has all the tools to be one of the best players in NBA history.

Main Image: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

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So with that being said, who would be the greatest NBA starting five of all time? Maybe there is a surprise or two in here for you!

NBA All-Time Starting 5

Point Guard: Magic Johnson

There may not be a player that better complements any style of ball like Magic could.

At 6’9”, 220lbs, he was an absolute giant at his position but had that flash in his game that can’t be taught. A true pass-first point guard, Johnson has exactly what the rest of this starting five needs. He is a player that is physically imposing in his position but also has the personality and skills to facilitate others.

When the rest of these positions are revealed, you’ll understand why we need a distributor here. Whether you need a stop on defense, or someone to push the pace for a fast break, he is the perfect point guard for any era of basketball. A true all-timer who most would agree deserves this nod.

Honorable Mentions: Stephen Curry, John Stockton

Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan

His Airness is unquestionably the shooting guard on this team and is also likely the first option for scoring. His resume speaks for itself. A six-time champion that featured two separate three-peats and an astonishing six-time Finals MVP, Jordan was absolutely the man you wanted on the court for your team in a big game.

READ MORE: Players you forgot were part of the Bulls dynasty

It wasn’t just his scoring prowess that had fans and players alike in awe, but he was also a nine-time defensive first-team player and was a defensive player of the year! So whether you need a bucket or a stop, good luck finding a better player than MJ. He is the type of scorer that makes any team better.

Arguably the greatest player who ever laced up his sneakers, Michael Jordan is every coach’s dream for a shooting guard.

Honorable Mentions: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade

Small Forward: LeBron James

King James may have created the positionless player we see more and more frequently in the NBA, but we will factor him into his original position here.

James is absolutely the most well-rounded basketball player that has ever played the game, but his best quality may be between the ears. He is known for being able to help exploit any team’s weaknesses and his run of 10 straight NBA Finals appearances helps to prove this.

He almost singlehandedly created the chase-down block, has arguably the NBA’s greatest defensive play of all time and, oh by the way, is the NBA’s scoring king at #1 career points. There isn’t a single skill that James does not have in his bag, but what is most impressive is his ability to showcase them all.

In the 2016 Finals, James became the first player to lead the five major stat categories in a single series: Points, Assists, Rebounds, Steals, and Blocks. A player like this has to be on your shortlist for best ever and rightfully is in the all-time five.

Honorable Mention: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen

Power Forward: Kevin Durant

In what will assuredly be argued, KD coming in as the four man is the perfect addition to this legendary team. For all their benefits on the court, I would argue that I don’t really have a deadly shooter in the lineup until now!

Durant has the purest jump shot of any player on this list and is an absolute mismatch for any player guarding him at this position. Standing at 6’10” and with the ball skills of a guard, there is no player in the world who can effectively stop Durant for long periods of time. Maybe this position is more likely to garner a bigger player who bangs down low, but I think you get the addition of a stretch four by placing Durant here.

Good luck guarding wherever Durant wants to pull up from! Or maybe he takes it to the hole! Good luck getting a bucket on him as well, Durant plays real defense as a big man.

Honorable Mentions: Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan

Center: Shaquille O’Neal

The most dominant player at his position ever, Shaqtus no doubt is the man for the middle of this legend-loaded team.

To start, there is no one that has ever measured up to his 7’2” and 325lbs of sheer muscle in his prime! He quite literally went through other centers and in some cases, dwarfing them. At the peak of his powers, he averaged a full season of 29 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks a game. He won rings being the focal point of two teams, the Lakers and the Heat.

There is no better player to anchor your team than he, and if you were lucky enough to see his prime, you understand that as controversial as it is to make these lists, he makes as good of a case as any to be considered over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Laker land and All Time.

Honorable Mention: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell

Main Image: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Best Odds to Win the 2022-23 NBA MVP

Luka Doncic (+450)

For the second consecutive season, Luka Doncic is the favorite to win the NBA MVP. He’s been phenomenal in each of his first four seasons. He averaged 21.2 points per game in his rookie season and then took off after that, averaging just over 27 points per game each of his last three seasons, including 28.4 last season.

Not only did Doncic rank third in scoring but he ranked fifth in assists so he’s not only putting the ball in the hoop but he’s distributing it, which is the key to success. He led the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals, ultimately falling to the Golden State Warriors. At just 23 years of age, Doncic has a great chance to win the 2022-23 NBA MVP and a lot more in the future.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600)

Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, six-time All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, two-time league MVP, NBA Champion, Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, First-Team All-Rookie, five-time All-Defensive Team, and six-time All-NBA Team. That’s the impressive list of accomplishments that Giannis Antetokounmpo has gathered over his nine seasons in the league, all with the Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, he won back-to-back MVPs in 2019 and 2020 so he knows what it takes to win the award.

Last season, Antetokounmpo was second in the league in points per game with 29.9, sixth in rebounds per game with 11.6, eleventh in both blocks per game with 1.3, and filed-goal percentage with 55.3%. He’s highly regarded as probably the best player in the league and is only getting better with each year. The Greek Freak might be fighting with Doncic for that honor and go head-to-head for the 2022-23 NBA MVP.

Joel Embiid (+650)

Joel Embiid could easily be higher on this list or at least have better odds but that just goes to show you the talent on display throughout the league. He’s been dominant the past two seasons, averaging 28.5 points per game in 2020-21 and a league-high 30.6 points per game last season. These numbers were why he finished second in the MVP voting back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022.

Embiid also has a good list of accomplishments himself, being First-Team All-Rookie, a five-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA, and a three-time All-Defensive player. There might’ve been even more if he stayed healthy throughout his career. Embiid comes into this season with even higher hopes with the Philadelphia 76ers adding around him and feeling completely healthy to go after the 2022-23 NBA MVP.

Nikola Jokic (+800)

Following up Antetokounmpo’s consecutive MVPs in 2019 and 2020, Nikola Jokic decided to replicate that by winning the NBA MVP in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Jokic almost averaged a triple-double for the season as he put up 26.4 points per game while tallying 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. As impressive as these numbers are, last year might’ve been the best of his two MVP seasons. Jokic averaged 27.1 points per game in 2022 while putting up 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists. Almost every statistical category from his 2021 season improved last season, including field-goal percentage, steals, and blocks. 

What might be more impressive is that he put the Denver Nuggets on his back and won the MVP without having Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. With those two due to be back this season, this trio will be a force in the west and might even bolster Jokic’s chances to win MVP with his teammate’s talent and playmaking ability. He comes into this season with the fourth-best odds to win the 2022-23 NBA MVP and his third-consecutive award.

Only three have won three consecutive MVP awards in NBA history: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

Will Denver’s Nikola Jokic win this third consecutive this season? Seems unlikely, @JeffZillgitt writes. https://t.co/saOJNbdRqj pic.twitter.com/XRomVwYEVn

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 13, 2022

Kevin Durant (+800)

After a wild offseason that included Kyrie Irving trade talks and Kevin Durant wanting to be moved, both stay on a team that still has high hopes to make noise. Despite of what people think of Durant’s tactics or demeanor, he is simply one of the best players on the planet and history of the game when he’s on the court fully healthy and that’s why he has among the best odds to win the 2022-23 NBA MVP.

Durant tore his Achillies and missed the entire 2019-2020 season only to come back the next season and average 26.9 points per game in only 35 games in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets. Last year in 2021-22, Durant averaged an impressive 29.9 points per game in 55 games. For many, an Achilles injury would slow you down and start the career decline but the 34-year-old is just a different breed. With even more pressure on the Nets this season, Durant is expected to rise to the occasion and show why he might still be the best player in the league.

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In his 88 years, Russell’s impact extended beyond basketball. He was a civil rights activist, a coach, and an elder statesman with an iconic belly laugh, showcasing a more fun side to the legendary big man.

Russell’s impact extended beyond the parquet. How much so? Here are six incredible things (to match his jersey number) about Russell that must be remembered in the wake of his passing.

Six Ways that Bill Russell was a Giant on and off the floor

1.) The Greatest winner of all time.

There are many amazing facts and figures about Bill Russell’s career that leave you completely dumbfounded. One, from the Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan, is head and shoulders above the rest:

Bill Russell 21-0 in winner-take-all games: All NCAA games, Olympic medal round, best-of-5s, best of 7s. Greatest resume of anyone. Period.

— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) February 12, 2017

That’s right. Russell’s teams never lost a win or go home game in the crucibles of the Olympics, NCAA tournament, and the NBA playoffs. 

Guys named Brady, Jordan, Woods, and Gretzky can’t claim to have won at that kind of clip.

2.) Bill Russell: Civil Rights Icon

Russell’s immense impact extended beyond the game itself through his efforts as a Civil Rights activist. He stood with Martin Luther King Jr., at the March on Washington and was one of the athletes present at the 1967 Cleveland Summit, organized by twelve prominent Black Luminaries in support of Muhammad Ali’s opposition to the Vietnam War.

This summit included other athletes like Jim Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bobby Mitchell, and future diplomats Sidney Williams and Carl Stokes among others. 

Six years earlier in 1961, Russell’s Boston Celtics were scheduled to play an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky. Before the game, Celtics guard Sam Jones was denied service in the restaurant of the hotel where the team was staying.

That treatment didn’t sit well with Russell and K.C. Jones decided not to play in that night’s game in protest of the Jim Crow policies they’d experienced earlier in the day. Similarly, this act was remembered in 2020 after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court in the NBA bubble against the Orlando Magic in response to the Kenosha, Wisconsin protests after the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Even at his advanced age, Russell’s social justice activism never wavered. He tweeted in support of Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling and kept politically active while online.

3.) Bill Russell’s Coach In His Final Championship? Bill Russell.

You read that headline right. 

Starting in 1966, Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics after Red Auerbach stepped down and moved to the front office, where he stayed until his death in 2006. This move made Russell the first black head coach in any of the major American pro sports.

In 1969, Russell’s Celtics overcame advanced age and injuries to make it back to the NBA Finals against the Lakers. As a fourth-seeded team hampered by injuries, age, and fatigue, the Celtics came back after deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 in the Finals to win the title.

Oh, and Jerry West, who later became the league’s logo, averaged 38 points per game and won the series MVP. The wily veteran Celtics won on a desperation shot from Don Nelson and a coaching blunder from Butch Von Breda Kolff in not subbing Wilt Chamberlain back into the game.

Russell called this game the balloon game thanks to the rafters being packed with balloons that would be dropped in celebration, according to owner Jack Kent Cooke, when, not if, the team won the title. Legend has it, the Celtics got wind of the scheduled celebrations and were fueled to victory by that hubris.

Russell’s later coaching stint with the Sacramento Kings would not be as successful in 1987.

4.) Russell’s Rebounding Was Even Better When It Mattered Most

Russell played 165 playoff games throughout his career, which calculates out to approximately two full NBA seasons. In those 165 games, Bill Russell tallied 4104 rebounds, the most in NBA history.

He averaged more rebounds per game in the playoffs than in his entire career. There have been periods of sustained greatness in professional sports, but none are more staggering than Russell’s playoff numbers, especially as a rebounder.

In 7,493 minutes in the playoffs, Russell averaged roughly 1.85 rebounds per minute. The man was a machine on the glass. When we talk about legendary athletes who played in a bygone era, their successes seem difficult to comprehend.

For Bill Russell that can be accomplished by looking at the numbers.

5.) Russell’s Greatness Was Recognized On Every NBA Anniversary Team

In 1971, Russell was unanimously selected to the NBA 25th Anniversary team. Ten years later, he made the NBA’s 35th Anniversary team as well.

In 1997, Russell was revealed to have made the 50th Anniversary Team. This past winter, he was named to the 75th Anniversary Team.

There have only been four men in the history of the league to be named to all four Anniversary Teams: George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Bob Cousy, and Russell.

As the center position has evolved at the pro level, Russell’s position atop its history hasn’t changed.

6.) Russell Was An Elder Statesman Whose Laugh Is As Legendary As His Statistics

Bill Russell’s sense of humor is the stuff of legend. It got even better as he grew older.

Don’t believe me? Ask these legendary big men.

Ask Kareem and Magic.

And if he was still around, I’d ask Wilt about Thanksgiving and his free throw shooting. 

Bill Russell was in a class all his own while crashing the glass for rebounds and blocking shots, and while winning more championships than any athlete not named Henri Richard. He was also the best of us when fighting for equal rights and while enduring horrific racism and vandalism with grace throughout his career.

About death and the afterlife, Bill Russell once said the following:

“I always said that when I left the Celtics, I couldn’t go to Heaven, because that would be a step down.”

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They too, are subjective and do not have the right answer. Part of the entertainment factor in sports is the unanswered questions about those who participated at the highest of levels. Who was better? Who needed who more? Who contributed more? All of the best sports debates have these questions and it’s like comparing apples to oranges. You can’t win the argument and, in most cases, you could argue they needed each other to succeed. So what are the best ones to debate? Here are my favorites.

Some of the Best Sports Debates are Apples and Oranges

Tiger vs PGA Tour

It’s no secret that Tiger Woods changed the game of golf. At his peak, he was truly the best that has ever lived and this cannot be seriously debated. His talent was so immense they had to change whole courses to make it fairer for the field. What can be debated, was Tiger Woods the catalyst for the eventual collapse of the PGA?

Tiger Woods gives damning verdict on LIV Golf pic.twitter.com/JjzXybHDGl

— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) July 12, 2022

Let’s face it, the PGA as a whole is “boring”. We don’t watch sports for the love of sportsmanship and everyone having fun. We watch it for the personalities and dominance of the performers. Woods had the biggest personality and was the most dominant ever.

There were fist pumps, cursing, and running up the score. You had racial dynamics and mega sponsorships. He was one of the first true athletes that the sport had ever seen and just as quickly as he rose to greatness, he fell and it was sad to watch.

Since then, golf has never been the same. Sure, you get your two or three events a year that pop and are must-watch, but there hasn’t been someone who can move the needle like Tiger and the sport has taken a hit. The PGA was the most dominant golf tour in the world until recently. Now, just like its greatest star, it seems to be falling from grace and is becoming sad to watch.

What is the biggest factor in the recent moves of most of the current tour members going to the LIV tour? Money. The last year of Woods’ amateur career was 1996. That year, the PGA tour paid out $101 million in total prize money. At the end of what was the peak grossing year of the Tiger Woods years in 2008, the tour was awarded $292 million. That is nearly a 300% increase in just 12 years.

The reason for that increase was not because of some of the lowest rounds we’ve seen, because every year had great scores. It was simply because there was nothing like prime Tiger Woods. LIV Golf is poaching from a once must-watch tour because of the lack of preparedness in a world without Tiger Woods. He made the field improve to keep up and the rewards for this showed in dollar bills and entertainment value.

The PGA did nothing different and even doubled-down on unpopular stances. For this, the LIV tour has the opportunity to rise above what seemed an untouchable entity. LIV is paying for the top performers in a different style tour and it is because Tiger Woods showed us golf can be peak sports entertainment if you change. The PGA has no one to blame but themselves.

Shaq vs Kobe

There is a real argument to be made that these two may have been the most different of the duos of the best sports debates. They also needed each other in order to be two of the all-time greats.

It starts with the fact that they were teammates on arguably one of the greatest teams the NBA had ever seen. It started in 1996 when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the rights to high school shooting guard Kobe Bryant from the Hornets. Later in the year, they also acquired center Shaquille O’Neal from the Orlando Magic.

O’Neal was already an established star who was no stranger to pop culture and the bright lights of Hollywood. Bryant was a very serious person who truly believed — and at times proved — that he was the best guard in the league upon his arrival. Bryant’s personality to the team came off as selfish and O’Neal’s was seen as not taking it seriously, but the Lakers had two of the best at their respective positions.

When the legendary Phil Jackson eventually coached them, it showed that the chemistry worked when both parties wanted it to. O’Neal was into hazing Bryant as a rookie and never tried to have a relationship other than that even slapping him midgame. Bryant was quoted in a training camp saying O’Neal showed up “Fat and out of shape”.

This personality clash did do damage to the relationship behind the scenes but didn’t do anything to hurt the success of the team. They won three straight titles together in 2000, ’01, and ’02. The true disconnect these two had was sharing the spotlight and it ultimately ended with O’Neal being traded to the Miami Heat and a day later in true rivalry fashion, Bryant signing a seven-year deal to remain with the Lakers.

O’Neal went on to win a title in 2006 with the Heat and Bryant ended up winning two more titles leaving the pair with four and five titles respectively, but they shared three. The main question here is “what could have been?”.

Had these two stars been able to check their egos, maybe we could have had a Bulls-like dynasty, but instead, we had two great share the stage for eight crazy, controversial years and saw three dominant title wins. Both players are Hall of Famers and prior to Bryant’s passing had rekindled the relationship so there’s a little bit of a happy ending here.

Regardless, the motivation to outdo each other resulted in three additional titles for the duo albeit against each other, and for that, they deserve to be on this list.

Messi vs Ronaldo

If you’re a fan of soccer or maybe just a fan of highlights, you almost assuredly have heard the names, Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. What you may not know is that both are widely considered the best ever, depending on who you ask.

Wayne Rooney talking about ex teammate Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/3XJFGvadxC

— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) July 10, 2022

The parallels between the two are uncanny. They’ve won a combined 71 trophies (Messi 37, Ronaldo 34) and they are two of the eight players ever to have 700+ goals scored. Both had long illustrious careers with popular clubs (Ronaldo at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Messi with Barcelona). Both even were the best players for their respective countries and have participated in multiple World Cups.

Of the two, Messi made it the furthest in the World Cup, ultimately losing in the final. Ronaldo is #1 all-time in total goals scored. Messi is five goals away from being third all time. Messi has the record with seven Ballon d’Or’s, soccer’s version of the MVP. Ronaldo has five of these awards.

“Soccer is played in over 210 countries” according to an LA Times article by Kevin Baxter, making this the most participated sport in the world. You have two of the best to ever play still going strong and a debate about who is better that can never be won.

Make sure to tune in to the World Cup in Qatar in late 2022 as each of these two tries to get that first world cup win. Maybe that is the tiebreaker…

Bird vs Magic

Basketball wasn’t always what it is today. It was mostly a niche sport that had little to no professional spotlight outside of a few legendary names. The Finals used to be aired on a tape delay. What may have been the most significant event for the sport of basketball was the 1979 NCAA National Championship Game.

This is still the highest-rated college basketball game ever with 35.1 million viewers. You have undefeated Indiana State, led by forward and college player of the year Larry Bird vs Michigan State, led by guard and Final Four MVP, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. This was a contest that was ultimately won by Johnson and the Spartans to claim the school’s first-ever title.

This was the first time these two players faced off against each other but sparked what can be argued as the sport’s greatest rivalry. In their respective drafts, Magic was taken first-overall to the Lakers, Bird sixth-overall to the Celtics. Now, the rivalry goes from individual college greats to NBA team royalty.

In year one, Bird led the Celtics to a 61-21 record that ended in the Eastern Conference Finals with a loss to the Dr. J-led 76ers. In year one, Johnson helped a star-studded Lakers team to a 60-22 record that ended with an NBA title. In the closeout Game 6, Johnson started at center and had a magnificent 42-15-7 stat line. He was also named finals MVP.

This wouldn’t be the peak of their careers by any stretch of the imagination. Throughout the 1980s, Bird or Johnson competed in every NBA Finals including three head-to-head matchups. They also took home five of the 10 total MVPs of the decade. Bird won the first NBA Finals they played in 1984 but lost the remaining two in 1985 and 1987. Combined, they have eight titles, six regular season MVPs, and 24 total All-star appearances.

You may argue about who you liked better, but you’ll never be able to convince anyone that these two didn’t need each other to change basketball.

Tyson vs Ali

One of boxing’s greatest best qualities is that you truly get a 1v1 and, in most cases, the best man wins. One of the big debates is who is the greatest heavyweight of all time?

Unfortunately, these two never got to fight 1v1. To start, Muhammad Ali may be one of the most influential pop culture figures in our country’s history. Among many other things, Ali was truly a force to be reckoned with in boxing. He was the heavyweight champion of the world for three consecutive years from 1964-67. He was brash and backed up every bit of smack talk he dished out, and he dished out a lot.

He beat some of the best fighters in the world and proclaimed himself as “The Greatest”. He was a combination of speed and power the sport hadn’t ever seen, but he was just as influential outside of the sport. He was a key civil rights activist and a conscientious objector to the Vietnam war. He wasn’t shy about his beliefs and truly embodied what it means to be true to yourself.

So, with all that said, who could be better than a cultural icon? Enter Mike Tyson. Known as “The Baddest Man on the planet”, Tyson was known for his devastating knockout power and quick finishes in his fights. He also was known for his controversial life before and during his boxing career. Tyson was the type of fighter who had a psychological edge in the fight before even entering the ring. The way he spoke about what he wanted to do to his opponents was backed up by a fierce and sometimes volatile fighting style.

Whether it was Tyson biting your ear, or Ali yelling in it, I’m sure you’ve heard that these were the top two heavyweights who have ever lived.

Brady vs Manning

This could be the NFL’s best example of an apples and oranges comparison. Peyton Manning is a highly touted quarterback prospect drafted first-overall in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts. Tom Brady was sharing time at quarterback in college and was drafted 199^th overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Patriots.

Manning is the immediate starter from day one with the Colts, Brady has to wait his turn and take advantage of a split-second injury to starter Drew Bledsoe. In his rookie year, Manning shattered rookie records including most touchdowns in a season. Manning had the early lead in the debate of who is better but, in typical Brady fashion, he has since made a case some think isn’t debatable.

Brady holds almost every major quarterback record including career yards, attempts, and touchdowns for both the regular season and the playoffs. He has a Superbowl record of 7-3 and has won it in both the NFC and AFC.

If Brady were to win all his playoff games this year and win another super bowl, he would be the all-time wins leader for quarterbacks that have played the NFC teams in the playoffs even though he has only been in the conference three years.

He also had arguably the greatest season on record with his 2007 performance of 4,800+ passing yards and 50 touchdowns. Manning, on the other hand, changed how the game was played at the line of scrimmage. He was known for his ability to manipulate the defense presnap with various audibles and changes including arguably his most popular “OMAHA” code word.

He also had an all-time season that eclipsed Brady’s with 5,500+ yards and 55 touchdowns for the Denver Broncos. Manning is a five-time MVP in 18 years whereas Brady has three in 22 years. The all-time matchup between the two is 11-6 in favor of Brady.

Whether you favor one or the other, the criteria involved in your discussion make all the difference for who “wins” this debate.

LeBron vs Jordan

Ahhhhh… You didn’t think I’d leave out what many consider is atop the best sports debates of all time, did you? Another comparison that isn’t fair to either involved, the Michael Jordan vs LeBron James debate has polarized even the most knowledgeable basketball fans.

Which two players can beat LeBron and Jordan in a 2V2? pic.twitter.com/iI1iuzSIow

— Derrick Rose (@BaljeetBallin) July 5, 2022

MJ was cut from his high school team and used this as fuel to eventually be a D1 player at the University of North Carolina under the tutelage of legendary coach Dean Smith. He wins many accolades and eventually a national championship by way of a game-winning shot that was designed for him to shoot.

He is then drafted third overall in 1984 by the Bulls, where he becomes a sensation almost immediately with individual success more than the team. In the 90s, Jordan finally breaks through the barriers and has team success as well capturing six titles in eight years with no losses in the Finals and is considered no doubt the greatest player who has ever lived.

That is until 2003. Jordan retires the same year as a young prospect named Lebron James is drafted.

Selected first overall by his hometown team directly out of high school, Lebron James has immediately anointed: “The Chosen One”. Lebron sets a myriad of records throughout his playing career including ones once broken by MJ. James had his fair share of team success including four Finals wins on three teams and an eight-year stretch of playing in the championship series from 2011-2018.

Jordan was known for the massive dunks, floating around defenders, and finishing with moves we still haven’t seen again. He hit game-winners in the Finals securing rings and wins. Jordan had a sequence in his last Finals ever that was a layup to put his team down one, a steal of the ensuing defensive possession, and then a game-winning shot en route to his 45-point closeout performance and ring number six.

However, James was a physical force we haven’t seen replicated. He won his only ring with Cleveland after being down 3-1 against the dynastic Warriors and seemingly saved a pivotal Game 7 with arguably the greatest defensive play in the history of the league, a chase-down block against former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.

Jordan took the NBA and made it an international league because of his draw. James was the first superstar who didn’t stay with one team, and because of his moves, the league is more transactional. What can’t be debated is that these two are arguably the greatest to ever play and in most cases, who you watched is who you think wins.

I’ll leave you with one final argument on the pro-Lebron James side of this debate. He is the only player in league history to lead the five major stat categories in the NBA Finals: points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals.

Follow me on Twitter @steakspeare and make sure to follow @lwosports for more debates, polls, and the best of all sports content!

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Top Five 2022 NBA Draft Prospects

5. Shaedon Sharpe (SG)

At the age of 18, Shaedon Sharpe will enter the NBA Draft after not playing a game at Kentucky even after enrolling there. Despite not playing in college, his strengths are more than enough to become one of the top players in this year’s draft. Sharpe’s explosiveness alone is what gets the attention of scouts but he can also create shots with the ability to make the tough ones. He has really good footwork and can create separation off the dribble. There might be some questions due to Sharpe taking time off and not playing a single game in college but his upside is what can make him a top-five pick.

4. Jaden Ivey (PG)

The top point guard in the NBA Draft is Jaden Ivey out of Purdue. His upside alone should get the attention of many across the league. Ivery has the elite speed to make up for some of his cold areas on offense. His ability to separate with his speed alone makes him a dangerous weapon. He is one of the best finishers in the draft with his agility and athleticism.

Ivery can play some good defense when you need him to and once again, his speed makes up for some of his lack of ability on defense. He still has some areas on offense to clean up like passing and decision-making but overall, he has a chance to become the one to take over games when called upon.

3. Paolo Banchero (PF)

Paolo Banchero might be number three on this list but he has all the potential in the world the go first overall in the NBA Draft. His overall skill on offense might be the best in this class. What makes Banchero dangerous is not only his ability to create shots for himself but also the ability to create shots for others. He’s able to do this because of his ball-handling skills and his passing game among other things.

Banchero also has the power at 6’10, 250 pounds to back down defenders and attack the rim. His defense might be the only downside of his game but his offense can surely make up for it. Banchero’s offense is NBA ready, especially if he improves his jump shot, and can eventually be the go-to guy in the future for any team.

2. Chet Holmgren (PF)

Not a lot of people were high on Chet Holmgren being the first overall pick at the beginning of the college basketball season and some still aren’t but he’s improved his stock to a potential top pick. Sitting at 7-feet, 195 pounds, Holmgren has impressed a lot of people with his ability on defense. He has elite rim protection and can switch on some of the team’s top offensive players. Chet almost averaged four blocks a game and can also rebound on that side of the court.

While Holmgren has room for improvement on offense, he can still produce on this side of the ball. He averaged 14.1 points per game while shooting 60.7 percent, 39 percent from three. While the numbers don’t show it, Chet has great passing vision for a player his size. His shooting is very streaky but if he can improve his shot, there’s no reason to believe that he can live up to being the top pick.

1. Jabari Smith (PF)

Jabari Smith has the tools both on offense and defense to become a star in this league. On the offensive side of the ball, Smith is an incredible jump shooter. He has a quick release, allowing him to make tough and contested shots. The freshman also has deep shooting range, making it tough for defenders to stop him. Smith averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 42 percent from three.

Smith also impresses on the defensive side of the ball. He has the ability to effectively switch on defenders and go out to the perimeter. His quick footwork helps him on the defensive side just as much as on the offensive side. Smith is only 18 years of age, allowing him to learn and adapt his game for several years before reaching the potential everything thinks he can.

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Friday NBA Playoff Best Bets

Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks ( 2-0 Heat)

Miami Heat | Point Spread: -1(-110) Moneyline: -115

Atlanta Hawks | Point Spread: +1(-110) Moneyline: -105

Total | Over 221.5(-110) Under 221.5(-110)

Trae Young has been ice cold this series. Not only has he been abysmal from three (2 for 17, Russell Westbrook would be proud), but he’s not getting to the line consistently either. As the series heads to the 404, a little home cooking from the refs will most likely go in the Atlanta Hawks‘ favor (as a team, the Hawks shoot three more free throws per game at home).

Unfortunately for the Hawks, a Trae resurgence will not be enough for them to overcome another Miami Heat beatdown. I don’t expect an Erik Spoelstra-led team to play with its food in the playoffs. In the last two games, they’ve looked better than they have all season, expect that to continue.

Increased production from Trae will help hit the over, but Miami continues their stellar streak against the spread.

My Pick: Miami Heat -1, Over 221.5

Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls (1-1)

Milwaukee Bucks | Point Spread: -2.5(-110) Moneyline: -140

Chicago Bulls | Point Spread: +2.5(-110) Moneyline: +120

Total | Over 223(-110) Under 223(-110)

The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling this series; they barely squeaked out a win in game one and lost on Wednesday. While I think the Bucks will win the series, they’re not winning in front of a raucous Chicago home crowd on Friday, especially with Khris Middleton hobbled.

Jrue Holiday has been the story of the series, but not in the way he’d like. After putting together the best offensive season of his career, he’s averaging nearly as many turnovers (5) as field goals made (6) for the series. Alex Caruso and the rest of the Chicago Bulls will continue to feast off turnovers against a team that’s been shaky on the road in the playoffs before.

This is the best team the United Center has seen since Derrick Rose had knees, I fully expect the Bulls to ride that wave to victory before Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks regroup later in the series.

My Pick: Chicago Bulls +2.5 (and the upset!), Under 223

Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans (1-1)

Phoenix Suns | Point Spread: -1.5(-110) Moneyline: -125

New Orleans Pelicans | Point Spread: +1.5(-110) Moneyline: +105

Total | Over 216.5(-110) Under 216.5(-110)

The New Orleans Pelicans got their feel-good win against the Phoenix Suns, unfortunately for them, it won’t continue in Chris Paul’s old stomping grounds. There’s no way CP3 sees how they were defended without Devin Booker and didn’t figure out what the Suns need to do in the Big Easy. Herbert Jones has been impressive, but he’s a rookie. Jonas Valanciunas has had troubles defending the pick and roll before, fully expect the Suns to put him in the spin cycle.

The Suns won without Devin Booker during the season and had the best road record in the league. They’re not a superstar or bust team, and only being -1.5 favorites for a team this good is laughable. This is my best bet for Friday; expect the Suns to roll.

My Pick: Phoenix Suns -1.5, Over 216.5

Prop Bets To Love

Trae Young Over 28.5 Points and Trae Young Over 40.5 Total Points + Rebounds + Assists

Trae is coming back to Atlanta like a house on fire. With a friendly whistle, I expect him to clear these marks with ease.

Chris Paul Over 20.5 Points

Without Booker to lean on, it will be CP3 coming out with something to prove. Expect a dominant Chris Paul performance all around while he proves he can still carry the scoring load.

*All odds courtesy of mybookie.ag.

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