Edge: PEDRAG STOJAKOVIC. Peja was an essential part of the very successful team put together by the Kings. Korver never really led a team, nor did he have the size of impact that Peja did.
96-11: MARCUS CAMBY (drafted second overall by Toronto)- Lanky 6'11" center from UMass was never much of a scorer, but could really defend and rebound. Had a couple tough seasons where he battled with injuries, but provided a big middle presence and an asset to the Raptors, who tremendously lacked defense. Finished '00-'01 with 12 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.16 blocks per game.
03-11: CHRIS KAMAN (drafted sixth overall by Los Angeles)- Finesse 7'0" center teamed up with Elton Brand to form a dominant front court that led the Clippers to a couple strong runs into the playoffs. Kaman had his breakout year in '07-'08 where he averaged 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.80 blocks per game.
Edge: CHRIS KAMAN. Chris Kaman just shows more upside. Camby has that defenders instinct and can really put on a show, but Kaman simply gets the job done. Kaman looks to be able to take a team much further than Camby was ever able to.
96-12: DEREK FISHER (drafted 24th overall by Los Angeles)- Another one from a small name NCAA school Arkansas-Little Rock, this quick, 6'1" point guard was used to back up an aging Nick Van Exel in the Lakers backcourt. Watching players like Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Elden Campbell, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, and Glenn Rice come through LA, Fisher always had a lot of competition. When given the starting point guard position, he had big shoes to fill, and he did not let a soul down, proving to have become a very clutch point guard with the playmaker instinct that was needed from him. Fisher never had spectacular numbers, but turned out to be a Robert Horry-like player in a sense that he was always there to take that big crunch time shot when Kobe was completely covered and Shaq had fouled out or wasn't able to get the ball.
03-12: T.J. FORD (drafted eighth overall to Milwaukee)- This super agile, sharp shooting, 5'10" point guard had a huge career at Texas, taking their season into late March a couple times, and was drafted with a lot of question marks. The biggest one being, is he too small? Ford's game is similar to that of Earl Boykins and Terrelle Brandon. Ford has yet to reach all-star status, but has definitely proved that he can be a good NBA point guard.
Edge: DEREK FISHER. Derek Fisher is a winner. It is as simple as that. He has played around winners the whole first five years of his career, and has been bred to be a winner. T.J. Ford is in Toronto right now, so he doesn't quite have that situation. He still has to prove that he can be as clutch as Fisher.
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