HoopWatch

Now we are down to our top ten pairs of NBA cagers who play similarly. Players now who remind us of stars we admire in the 90’s, 80’s, all the way from the 50’s. Here’s the bottom five of the top ten:

10. Kevin Johnson – Gilbert Arenas

They are All-Star point guards, but they love to score more than pass. Despite having great big men to go to, Charles Barkley for Kevin, and Antawn Jamison for Gilbert. They don’t shy away from contact, and would love to have the ball at crunch time.

9. David Robinson – Kevin Garnett

They are all-round big men. Robinson had achieved the quadruple-double twice in his career. Garnett scores and rebounds in double-figures, can pass, can steal, can swat shots and can lead fastbreaks. They are both total packages. They also are too unselfish, such that they refuse to take the crucial shots. Garnett has gone to the Conference Finals just once. And David would not have won a title without Tim Duncan.

8. Isiah Thomas – Allen Iverson
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Diminutive, but with a lot of heart. Both these guys play big, much bigger than their height. Injuries never slowed them down, and no one will. AI jus needs to develop a bigger heart and involve his teammates.

7. Julius Erving – Vince Carter

Dr. J is the original slam dunk master. He is the first to elevate the game to the air. But VC has perfected it. He is the best dunker ever, even better than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Now Carter just has to win a title, coz Erving has one with Phila.

6. Bill Russell – Alonzo Mourning

Russell perhaps is the best defensive big man ever to play the game. He has revolutionize the game with his defense, and placed a stamp on the philosophy that goes, “Defense wins games.” Russell has won 11 titles in 13 years. Nobody has ever duplicated that feat. Russell is Alonzo’s idol. He emulates Bill’s play. And there is no better shot-blocker in this league than Zo. All-time! Hands down! His timing is just perfect, and they are clean blocks at that.

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