Former NBA greats who are forgotten.

[dennismenace]

Been a baseball fanatic since the early 60's through today and the best 2 pitchers during that time are Koufax and Pedro in my opinion

I like Koufax and Bob Gibson, neither of whom I saw very often because they were NL. Gibson was a fearless terror on the mound. Pedro right up there as well.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Dino Radja is in the Hall of Fame, his approach worked pretty well for him.

Wow, didn't think someone from Radja-stan would respond! I did say he was the 2nd best Celtic for a short time (and actually typed best at first but didn't want to spark a depressing debate about whether Dino or David Wesley was their most important player).
Can we at least agree it is not the bodybuilding hall of fame.

a bit dough-ee

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I

He had his issues but he was a straight hooper: Michael Ray Richardson

I also enjoyed Rip’s Hamilton’s Detroit teams that once beat the mighty Lakers for an improbable title .
Chauncey Billups
Tayshaun Prince ( made Rip look fat )
Raysheed & and Ben Wallace

 

[Waquoit]

A more recent one is Gilbert Arenas. His off the court troubles probably contribute to people forgetting about him.

KEA busted him in college.

 

[JSB60]

George Gervin, Nate Archibald, Chet Walker

 

[ktuck911]

Caron Butler wasn't too shabby either.. solid NBA career

 

[RichZ]

The Knick’s great’s
Willis , Clyde, Earl the Pearl , Dave Debusschere

Monroe will always be a Bullet in my mind.
Which brings us to Wes Unseld, who could be the captain of the team of forgotten greats.

 

[BlueJayFan]

David Thompson and Sidney Moncrief were my two entries but both have been mentioned here.

I’ll add John Brisker, for being both really really good, as well as the maybe the meanest player in history. Died in Uganda where he was likely a mercenary in the late 70s.

As an off topic aside, I collect autographed sports cards and a signed Brisker Topps card is probably 4 figures.

 

[Deepster]

How is Bill Walton forgotten? Announces games on ESPN and had a 30 for 30 this summer.

Because he’s known as an announcer. Not a collegian. Not as someone who led Portland to a title or resurrected for the Cs.

 

[Deepster]

MAGIC JOHNSON! Everybody seems to forget how he was the one how was the lead of The Lake Show

That’s a great call. Do kids today know just how great he was???

 

[NEforceUConn]

Absolutely one of the best. A good argument could be for several pitchers. Gibson, Catfish, Palmer, Seaver, Maddox, Rivera, Marichal just to name a few. My point was if you asked me who I thought were best 2 my answer would be Koufax and Pedro. In that order.

You forgot a few seasons of Randy Johnson

 

[NEforceUConn]

Jimmy Walker.

Wish he was a Husky.

 

[Improviser]

Dave DeBusherre

A really steady and consistent banger, with a good outside shot. All around game, and good defender and team player.

Had a work ethic of always showing up to play.

This clip from Google, best sums up his game:

The heart and soul of the great New York Knick teams of the 1970s and a member of championship teams in 1970 and 1973, DeBusschere had a quietly potent offensive game that was effective from both inside and outside.

 

[Improviser]

Yao Ming.

Not from way back when, but had he not been hurt and had to prematurely retire, he would have been one of the greatest centers.

In this first game, a head to head with Shaq, I think he blocked Shaq's first three shot attempts.

Yao could score and defend, and did some pretty funny TV commercials too.

 

[HuskyHawk]

MAGIC JOHNSON! Everybody seems to forget how he was the one how was the lead of The Lake Show

Huh?

The guy people forget was James Worthy. He was incredible.

 

[uc1990]

It seems to me a forgot NBA superstar in terms of NBA all time greatest is Wilt Chamberlain. Since the Lebron James Michael Jordan debate comes up a lot and Wilt isn’t even mentioned that I have heard. When I was watching Jordan become the greatest of all time it was said Wilt did things that Michael could never do. I was 1 when wilt stopped playing so I didn’t see it.

 

[Waquoit]

You forgot a few seasons of Randy Johnson

Pinpoint control

 

[amishboy]

Of course, Dolph Schayes’ son was an All Big East player for South Ontario.

If I remember correctly, Danny Schayes was the center on one of the most talented teams outside of Duke or North Carolina (Derrick Coleman at PF, Sherman Douglas at PG, and Billy Owens at SF), yet somehow Jimmy B managed to lose the NC to Bobby Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers, led by the immortal Keith Smart and Dean Garrett.

Thanks for the “memory.”

 

[amishboy]

Is Bill Walton on the list? Is he an "all time great"?

Hall of Famer Bill Walton? Yeah, more of an “all time great” than three-quarters of those listed here (most of whom were very good, at best).

 

[superjohn]

Hall of Famer Bill Walton? Yeah, more of an “all time great” than three-quarters of those listed here (most of whom were very good, at best).

He's also not forgotten, dude is on TV more than Seacrest.

 

[uconnfan68]

Lloyd Free

Jump shots from just over half court, before the 3-pt line. When he was on, it was fun to watch.

 

[Dove]

I love the Boneyard where forgotten NBA greats range from Ric Smits and John Starks to Sandy Koufax and Kevin Ollie.

And you LIKE when Magic Johnson is mentioned?

 

[Dove]

That’s a great call. Do kids today know just how great he was???

You think Magic Johnson will be " forgotten by time?" If so, then this thread should be closed and we should all assume every great will be forgotten.

 

[nomar]

You think Magic Johnson will be " forgotten by time?" If so, then this thread should be closed and we should all assume every great will be forgotten.

Honestly can’t tell if Deep’s post was sarcastic. You said it.

 

[JakeTheDog]

And you LIKE when Magic Johnson is mentioned?

Fat finger lol.

 

[Deepster]

You think Magic Johnson will be " forgotten by time?" If so, then this thread should be closed and we should all assume every great will be forgotten.

I do think this generation does not know just how good magic was.

 

[Rich]

I used to love watching Alex English. It was really tough to get highlights in those days, if ESPN didn't have 'em I was SOL.

 

[superjohn]

I do think this generation does not know just how good magic was.

I think most people get it. There's a whole influencer reaction video community where young people freak out about Magic and Bird videos.

They're basketball royalty. From what I've seen Lebron is the only one who cracks into that tier of legends. Kobe is legendary and incredibly important to many people but he ain't with the big boys for most people from what I've seen. He's floating just outside witn Duncan for most.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I think most people get it. There's a whole influencer reaction video community where young people freak out about Magic and Bird videos.

They're basketball royalty. From what I've seen Lebron is the only one who cracks into that tier of legends. Kobe is legendary and incredibly important to many people but he ain't with the big boys for most people from what I've seen. He's floating just outside witn Duncan for most.

I hope that’s true. I do think, or did think, Russell and Wilt were under appreciated. But Russell got a lot of attention when he passed. Young people tend to associate prior era players as less athletic, playing a slower, different game. Not those guys.

 

[Chasm64]

Dennis Johnson