dan1997;842128190 said:

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My Top 5:
Magic
Oscar
Isiah Thomas
Kidd
Stockton (or Cousy)

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Good list. I think this nails it though people can quibble about order.

I wouldn't put Stockton anywhere near Kidd. If Stockton hadn't played with Malone, we wouldn't even be talking about him.

pappysghost;842128586 said:

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I wouldn't put Stockton anywhere near Kidd. If Stockton hadn't played with Malone, we wouldn't even be talking about him.

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Uh...I think it's the other way around.

I don't think I'd call him a terrible shooter. He did have terrible shooting nights, but he also had nights where he could really burn you. It's tougher shooting a good percentage when your roll is to get everyone else going - you just don't get a lot of shots to get in a rhythm. Because Dallas was a half court team he had to knock down 3's to open things up for Dirk and other guys. Three of the 5 years in Dallas he shot over 40% from the 3 line. If it weren't for his 3 point shooting, Dallas never would have won that title.

How hard is it to make a wing pass to Malone and let him shoot it over somebody or fill the lane and dunk it?

Yes, Stockton was an excellent player, but Kidd could hurt you more ways. He was bigger, stronger, and faster than John (6-4 210lbs vs. 6-1 175 lbs). The physical difference allowed him to grab more rebounds and guard bigger guys. New Jersey doesn't sniff the finals if it weren't for Kidd those years.

I can't believe Cal didn't want to give Lin a scholarship. He defeated Mater Dei for the CA state title for God's sake.

pappysghost;842128605 said:

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How hard is it to make a wing pass to Malone and let him shoot it over somebody or fill the lane and dunk it?

Yes, Stockton was an excellent player, but Kidd could hurt you more ways. He was bigger, stronger, and faster than John (6-4 210lbs vs. 6-1 175 lbs). The physical difference allowed him to grab more rebounds and guard bigger guys. New Jersey doesn't sniff the finals if it weren't for Kidd those years.

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That's it right there: What other PG could have gotten the Nets to the finals? (Granted, the Eastern Conference was depleted those years, but still.)

calumnus;842128120 said:

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There was zero chance Ben Howland was going to offer Jeremy Lin a scholarship at UCLA in 2006. He was signing 4 star players like Russell Westbrook at guard that year, not NR players.

Stanford didn't even offer him, but at least had him on an official visit.

Unlike UCLA, Cal at least offered him a walk-on spot.

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Not shocked he didn't get a big
time offer... Am shocked
that he didn't get rated AT ALL though. This was the best player on the number one ranked team in California.