Note: Updated for Chris Bosh and Chris Webber’s 2021 Hall of Fame selections.
As the NBA has moved more and more towards “positionless” basketball (e.g. LeBron James could essentially play any position, and play it at a high level), the power forward archetype has evolved from a big bruiser who can score and rebound in the paint to more of a versatile playmaker with shooting range. In recent history, two players who have exemplified this paradigm shift are Chris Bosh and Chris Webber. At their respective peaks, each player was among the dominant power forwards in the game, leading us to ask the question:
Two of the greatest dynasties in NBA history have been the 1960s Boston Celtics and the 1990s Chicago Bulls – led by legendary coaches in Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson and transcendent superstars in Bill Russell and Michael Jordan, respectively, equally important to each team’s success were their “secondary” or “complementary” stars. In particular, two names that stand out from these teams are small forwards John Havlicek and Scottie Pippen, who were each renowned for their versatility in terms of an ability to score, rebound, pass, and defend, and basically do whatever was necessary to win. Superstars in their own right, given their similar importance to legendary teams, an apt question to ask is:
Though they may often be the smallest players on the court, great point guards can control the flow and have an outsized impact on the outcome of a basketball game. Along these lines, during the 1980s and 1990s, the diminutive floor generals John Stockton and Isiah Thomas each stood only a shade above six feet tall and weighed barely 170 to 180 pounds, yet were among the biggest and brightest stars in the Association; while the former was more of a pass-first point guard and the latter was a more dynamic scorer, each led their respective teams to unprecedented success. As we look back on this rugged era of NBA play and compare and contrast the careers of both players, we ask the question:
While the retirement of David Robinson at the end of the 2002-2003 season marked the end of the “Twin Towers” era in San Antonio, it would also usher in the beginning of a new one – together with stalwart power forward Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker would form a “Big Three” that would lead the Spurs to four NBA titles, including three in five years. Without a doubt, Duncan was the lynchpin of the dynasty and arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history, but the wily Argentine and the speedy Frenchman were likewise invaluable members of these championship teams. In playing and winning together for 15+ years, despite their different backgrounds and playing styles, it is only natural to ask:
Note: Updated for Paul Pierce’s 2021 Hall of Fame selection.
In April 2019, in his capacity as an analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown and much to the chagrin of his co-hosts, Paul Pierce boldly proclaimed that he had a better NBA career than Dwyane Wade. Reaction from all corners was swift and merciless, as many pundits and fans ridiculed his statements and Heat fans chanted “Paul Pierce sucks!” at a Miami home game. Despite the relatively one-sided response to Pierce’s assertion, let us take a closer look at this head-to-head comparison and analytically and objectively answer the question:
