ESPN’s ranking of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team has been revealed. What did we get right and what did we get wrong about our countdown of the league’s 76 greatest legends?
Michael Jordan tops the list, followed by LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain. The top 10 continues with Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Oscar Robertson and Kobe Bryant.
Which all-time greats were overrated and underrated? Which active player currently has the best case to be named No. 77?
Our expert panel is breaking down the rankings, including insight on their biggest factors when comparing players of different eras, the evolution of the all-time top three and what the future could hold for an NBA 100th Anniversary Team.
Note: Players’ accomplishments in the NBL, the ABA, college or international basketball were not considered during the voting process. The voting pool included 76 players, as there was a tie during the NBA’s voting for its 75th Anniversary Team.
MORE: NBA Power Rankings at the All-Star break
1. Which player was most overrated in the rankings?
Kevin Arnovitz: Kevin McHale (No. 39). McHale’s footwork in the post was the stuff of the Bolshoi Ballet. But it’s tough, for instance, to see him 19 spots ahead of Elvin Hayes, even accounting for the multiple championships. McHale was durable, but Hayes was an iron man and a bit more prolific. McHale undoubtedly belongs on the list, but I’d probably slot him a dozen spots lower alongside a few of the prolific guards below him.
Jamal Collier: Reggie Miller (No. 51). Miller has a few famous moments and one elite skill, but he just doesn’t have the accolades of a lot of other players on this list. I would have him lower.
Tim MacMahon: Bob Pettit (No. 35). He was obviously one of the greats of his generation, but I have a hard time believing Pettit would have been a dominant force as the game advanced. Sorry, but you can’t convince me that a guy who shot 43.6% from the floor when color TV was…
Source : espn
