Better Career: Ray Allen or Allen Iverson ?

[Waquoit]

You mean the Bucks team with Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson that won more games and went further in the playoffs than any Ray Allen-led team ever? Let me see if I understand your logic: if only Allen Iverson and his team of role players had overcome a team that had a better star player than Ray Allen, you would be more impressed with Allen Iverson carrying his team to the finals. In the context of comparing Allen Iverson (unfavorably) to Ray Allen. That's just fantastic!

I'll eat this one. I was thinking about the Celtics that were coached by Jim O'brian.

 

[Waquoit]

What a strange attempt at a point. It doesn't say anything about his career. Miami wanted Ray because he's a (deadly) spot up three point shooter. Iverson is (was?) an undersized scoring guard. What does the fact that Miami wanted Ray - or the fact that Ray's primary skill has a longer shelf life than Iverson's - possibly say about their respective careers? I don't think anything.

I won't eat this one. Iverson hasn't gotten a call in years because of his attitude not his skill set. He was totally unwilling to adjust his game to fit into a team concept. I think that says plenty about his career.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm not trying to trash people's knowledge of basketball, but the love affair of Kobe--and the specific phrase "most skilled 2 guard in NBA history"--is ESPN driven. That phrase in particular is a weasel phrase, too. How are you judging "skill"? It's being contrasted with "raw ability" or some nonsense to try to give Kobe an edge against MJ. It's all BS.

I'd take MJ, and Jerry West (imagine him with a 3 point line?), before Kobe. And I'd consider a healthy Elgin Baylor, too, although career-wise Kobe's got him.

Just to note, I would take Jordan for sure. Kobe wasn't that close to him imo, especially for career. Difficult for me to pick between eras (1960s). Game is so different, and let's face it, I wasn't watching.

 

[intlzncster]

After MJ retired in 98, AI was the

really, come on look at who Kobe played with in his prime as opposed to AI. Better career is Kobe obviously.

But if AI had played with better players, it might be Kobe in a landslide and we might not even be having this conversation. Maybe AI would not have played well with other star players. Not saying that's the way it would be, just that it is certainly conceivable.

 

[tzznandrew]

Difficult for me to pick between eras (1960s). Game is so different, and let's face it, I wasn't watching.

I think that's fair, and there's clearly something to it. We see it physically. But some seem to suggest that the players in the 60s were inferior, in more than just having proper health and strength conditioning.

As much as the game has changed, there's much the same. West played against Kareem, who played against Jordan. It isn't all that far removed.

 

[gtcam]

Calvin Murphy has a say about that.

old school- bob cousy

 

[Palatine]

In his entire career at UConn, Ray never spent a single day outside of first place in the Big East.

 

[BlueHen]

The way the question is worded in the thread title I have to say Ray. Longer NBA career and multiple rings. Most guys dream of having a career like Ray's. When his career is over Ray can look back with few regrets.

If your are asking who was the better player I'd say Iverson. There was a time when he was one of the top two or three guys in the league. He led a team of role players to an NBA final.

Both will be in the HOF.

 

[Gringo]

Growing up my father was able to get tickets to Knicks playoff games through his work. I was fortunate enough to see the Bulls (Jordan), Heat (in the 90's when they brawled) and AI play.

Nothing will ever top seeing Jordan drop over 40 in a playoff game at the garden. But watching AI play live was an incredible experience.

AI was an absolute warrior. He ran more than anyone else on the court. Worked harder than anyone to get open shots, and would take hard fouls from guys twice his size and get up like nothing happened.

He had a brash personality, but if you saw him live you would never question his work ethic or his will to win.

I love Ray Allen and you can make a rational argument for his career being better than AI's. But when AI was at his best, he was better than Ray.

 

[Huskybass]

[quote zenconn, post: 885887, member: 186"]Calvin Murphy has a say about that.[/quote]

Zenconn,

AI averaged over 26 points and 6 assists for his career, was an 11 time all star, won 4 scoring titles and won the mvp award in 2001. Murphy averaged under 18 points and 4.4 assists and made an all star team in 1979. Murphy had nowhere near the career that AI did.

 

[dogfan96]

If you take the question at face value, it's Ray and it's not even close. He got over on AI in the Big East for POY, regular season champs, BET champs (including the game-winner in a head-to-head matchup).. has a much longer career, will retire with a pretty comfortable lead in the All-Time 3-pt rankings (regular season AND playoffs), 2 NBA Championships (and counting).. sure-fire HOFer.... Yeah AI was better at his peak but that doesn't make a better career.

 

[jleves]

Not sure if this should figure in or not, but just for giggles, career earnings:
Ray 184 million and counting
Iverson 154 million and not counting

30 million here and 30 million there and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

 

[cordeodato]

I was always surprised that an NBA team didn't pick up Ricky Moore soley to defend Iverson.
Ricky had a knack for shutting him down. I hope one of you nuts has the figures to back up
what I am saying here.

 

[intlzncster]

Not sure if this should figure in or not, but just for giggles, career earnings:
Ray 184 million and counting
Iverson 154 million and not counting

30 million here and 30 million there and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

AI clearly better at spending though.

 

[jleves]

AI clearly better at spending though.

It's just crazy money when you put it into reality. If you make $250,000/year which most people would say is a lot of money, you would have to work for 736 years to make Ray Allen money. $75,000/year which is pretty solid and above average would take you 2,453 years to reach Ray. Crazy money.

 

[intlzncster]

It's just crazy money when you put it into reality. If you make $250,000/year which most people would say is a lot of money, you would have to work for 736 years to make Ray Allen money. $75,000/year which is pretty solid and above average would take you 2,453 years to reach Ray. Crazy money.

I never had the heart to do the math. Now I'm depressed. Excuse me while I go toil for my crumbs.

 

[Kurt]

Not sure if this should figure in or not, but just for giggles, career earnings:
Ray 184 million and counting
Iverson 154 million and not counting

30 million here and 30 million there and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

Does this take AI's Shoe deals into account?

 

[Kitaman]

Not sure if this should figure in or not, but just for giggles, career earnings:
Ray 184 million and counting
Iverson 154 million and not counting

30 million here and 30 million there and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

If you look at 'holdings' today or net worth:

Ray: Millionaire
AI: Broke

Losing over a $100 million is a shame in the worst way. Actually the NBA should hire AI for their rookie finance classes (teaching what not to do). Give the brother a little income.

 

[Kitaman]

I never had the heart to do the math. Now I'm depressed. Excuse me while I go toil for my crumbs.

More depressing is that he's getting paid to 'play' the same toy/game he played with as a kid.

 

[Scoe]

Who remembers the crossover against MJ