Was T-Mac the most gifted 2 guard/wing EVER?

Discussion in 'Other Sports' started by GeronimoJackson, Jun 6, 2011.

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  1. GeronimoJackson

    GeronimoJackson Brainwashed by the Left. Now I am free.

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    With a sliver of Kobe's work ethic, I think he would have been better than Kobe, Lebron, and I even dare say Jordan.

    Maybe the most gifted scorer ever, add with that the athleticism, length, IQ, passing skills, court vision, PG handles. No basketball player has ever possessed that kind of skill set (You could maybe make an argument for LeBron). And when he actually wanted to play defense, T-Mac was a good defender.

    the famous amazing 13 pts in final 35 secs vid
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXUfP7fUD5w

    The creativity
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtpWVp07A14&feature=relmfu

    Taught Kobe this move
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMiGaKvd2hs

    Magic-esque court vision and passing creativity
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iT1cVI007w
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rfazfxrP6o
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl7fpE3G7Rk

    Maybe the best playoff dunk of all time
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vQD9CjVdoc&feature=related

    With all that being said, at the end of the day, T-Mac might go down as the biggest underachiever of all time. How dare I call a back to back scoring champion the biggest underachiever ever? Simple, the guy has never been past the first round. And it's not like he doesn't show up in the playoffs, the guy has career playoffs averages of 29 pts, 6 assists, 7 rebounds. Talk about the worst of luck, the injuries, his Orlando team was as bad as it can get. Yao could never stay healthy, and the one year he had a healthy solid team, he was beaten by Tim Donaghy.

    We all know the injuries took its toll and ultimately led to T-Mac's demise prematurely, but he was also widely known for playing with little heart and relying his entire career on God given talent. One of his last games in Houston, and as great of a talent as he was, unfortunately this vid pretty much sums up the other half of the story:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjbkXewxlGI

    As you saw, losing by almost 20, but 4 guys still playing their butts off. I do like to note he was hurt, and I don't doubt it was painful, but you need to take yourself out of the game if you're not gonna contribute.

    I hope T-Mac decides to give Grant Hill a call, a guy that was almost equally as talented in his short prime who has knee surgery every week. But damn, the guy's like 38, got back some of his athleticism, and is playing strong, and every team in the league would love to have his services...because Hill works his butt off and was able to put his ego aside.
     
  2. Titanic_Sub

    Titanic_Sub Pro Bowler

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    The only area of Tmac's game that never impressed me was his post-game, he was never good with his back to his rim. That being said I do agree with you, one of the most naturally gifted scorers in history, and he has actually been one of the Pistons few brightspots.
     
  3. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    T-Mac has virtually disappeared from basketball.
     
  4. Deuce Wayne

    Deuce Wayne NOW Y'ALL GET THE MESSICH?!

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    Nah. I don't think so.

    I see him along the same lines as Grant Hill.

    We can use all the "what ifs"... but meh. I think he could have been better than Kobe if he worked as hard, as you said. But we'll never know.
     
  5. Titaneers

    Titaneers Ultimate Player

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    not as great as jordan... and 2 notches down from kobe..... there was never a time in my mind that thought "man... he could be as great as Jordan..." i thought he was pretty good early on... but never as great as the great MJ if he had worked at it, he may have been as good as kobe...
    i rank him 1 below his cousin-Vince Carter
     
  6. Deuce Wayne

    Deuce Wayne NOW Y'ALL GET THE MESSICH?!

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    I'm with you. I always thought he was really good... but never on the verge of greatness.

    Basically the healthier Vince Carter. All the potential was there, it just never really flourished to get a good idea.
     
  7. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    That's why we only see 1 or 2 Kobe Bryant types every 10-12 years, because it's not common to work as hard as Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan did. Those guys broke away from their peers because they're so stubborn, and hooked on being great. Both Jordan and Bryant aren't content with their play, and always feel the need to get better. Those aren't everyday qualities in people, especially athletes who from the ages of 10 and on were almost always the best in the gym just off talent, and not work ethic. A lot of basketball fans think LeBron is this amazing player, he's not, he's an amazing athlete with some touch on the ball. And far from a champion. Exactly the same thing T-Mac was. And LeBron's inner working wont allow him to become the next Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. As fans, we're very fortunate to get to see Kobe Bryant's and Michale Jordan's, those kinds of players aren't run of the mill players you see everyday.
     
  8. GeronimoJackson

    GeronimoJackson Brainwashed by the Left. Now I am free.

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    Well, you gave Deuce his p0rn for the night.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  9. GeronimoJackson

    GeronimoJackson Brainwashed by the Left. Now I am free.

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    He had the skills to be a great post player, but he just never aimed to get better.
     
  10. GeronimoJackson

    GeronimoJackson Brainwashed by the Left. Now I am free.

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    Well, nobody will work as hard as Kobe/Jordan, which is why they're the status quo, which is why I said if T-Mac had a sliver of their work ethic.

    Carter was not on the level of T-Mac. Carter, Kobe and Jordan didn't have the court vision T-Mac has, T-Mac was one of the best passers during his time and that includes PG's.

    Even if he and Yao did stay healthy, I don't think he would have won 6 or even 5 championships, but I believe he would have had at least 2.
     
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