Comparing 2011 NBA All Stars to Past Legends
Each year as the All-Star teams are selected, it gives players a chance to pad their resume. Every All-Star selection is a notch on their belt. It’s a chance for them to stack up to players past and present.
Of course, many of these players don’t need an all-star game to draw comparisons to some of the games greats. The truth is they have been drawing comparisons for years.
So let’s take a look at some of this years all star hopefuls and see who their game resembles. Some better, some worse than their comparisons, but everyone has one. Let’s take a took and try and determine who will be better when all is said and done.
24. Blake Griffin
1 of 24
Comparison:
Shawn Kemp
How They Compare:
Both Players are absolutely explosive above the rim. Kemp was a beast near the basket. Blake shows those same traits.
Both lacked defense at time, but Blake is young. He can get better.
Who Will Be Better:
It’s tough to say. Blake has spent half of his career injured(technically). Kemp spent most of his fat. Gut says Blake, but he’ll have to stay healthy.
23. Kobe Bryant
2 of 24
Comparison:
Michael Jordan
How They Compare:
It’s a tired comparison, but it works. Both guys were great at getting to the rim early, but became outside shooters later in their career. Both are winners. Both can close games.
If Kobe wins this year he’ll tie Michael for most three peats and have the same amount of rings.
Who Will Be Better:
At the risk of rehashing an old argument: Michael. He has intangibles that no other player had….and he never lost a Finals.
22. Kevin Love
3 of 24
Comparison:
Charles Barkley
How They Compare:
No flash for either of these guys. Both are 20/10 guys who are capable of dominating the glass any time they’d like.
Who Will Be Better:
While many underrate Kevin Love, to say he’ll be better than Sir Charles is a stretch. Barkley is a hall of famer. Love won’t be.
21. Eric Gordon
4 of 24
His Comparison:
Clyde Drexler
How They Compare:
Not the easier comparison, but it’s there. They are both fantastic scorers who aren’t great defenders.
Who Will Be Better:
Still too early for Gordon, but he’s made big strides to be a much improved player.
20. Tim Duncan
5 of 24
Comparison:
Kareem Abdul Jabar
How They Compare:
Sheer boredom of their game. They are two of the most dominate big men ever and there is little, if anything that has changed about their game. Kareem had the sky hook. Duncan has the bank shot.
Who Will Be Better:
Forgive me for offending, but Duncan. He’s got a complete game and the rings to match up with Kareem. It’s close, but it’s Duncan.
19. Deron Williams
6 of 24
Comparison:
Tim Hardaway
How They Compare:
Better than you think. Williams is a little bigger and a little more physical. Both handle the ball really well. Both can control an offense with penetration and great court vision. Similar assist and scoring numbers.
Who Will Be Better:
Williams. He might already be better. He is also far less bigoted.
18. Kevin Durant
7 of 24
Comparison:
Larry Bird
How They Compare:
Bird was a magnificent offensive player. Durant is the same way. Both tall and lean. Neither explosive to the basket, but they can get there.
Bird was a better all around shooter, but both are good passers and lack defensive skills.
Who Will Be Better:
Bird. He has rings and he did it forever. Durant could go down as one of the great ones, but Bird is on the Mt. Rushmore of basketball.
17. Carmelo Anthony
8 of 24
Comparison:
James Worthy
How They Compare:
Better than you think also. They are both great scorers, without much defense. They move well with the ball and allowed their talented point guards to get them the ball.
Who Will Be Better:
Anthony. Worthy might end up with more rings, but Anthony is a better scorer and is a guy you have to double team.
16. Pau Gasol
9 of 24
Comparison:
Bill Walton
How They Compare:
Fundamentally sound players. Career averages in assists, rebounds, and points are the same.
Neither of these players is a true dominant big man, but both play well in the team concept.
Who Will Be Better:
Gasol will be remembered as better. He’s more durable and may end up with more rings. However, in their primes Walton was the better player.
15. Russell Westbrook
10 of 24
Comparison:
Gary Payton
How They Compare:
Westbrook is a complete guard, much like Payton was. They can create their own shots.
Payton was a better defensive player, but Westbrook is no slouch. Career numbers in points and assists are almost the same.
Who Will Be Better:
Let’s say Westbrook. He’ll never match Payton’s shut down defense, but in time he can prove to be a more reliable offensive player.
14. Chris Paul
11 of 24
Comparison:
John Stockton
How They Compare:
Both are pure passers who have a jump shot that makes them dangerous. Stockton gets the edge for durability, and also for sneakiness.
Who Will Be Better:
Stockton. Being the all-time assist leader has to count for something.
13. Dirk Nowitzki
12 of 24
Comparison:
Scottie Pippen
How They Compare:
Absolute nightmare to match up with. Too fast for most centers, too fast for many power forwards, but too big for small forwards. Amazing range and ball handling skills.
Pippen was the much better defender, but Nowitzki is the better scorer.
Who Will Be Better:
Pippen. He has six rings and was maybe the greatest single defender at his position. Dirk isn’t those things.
12. Lebron James
13 of 24
Comparison:
Julius Irving
How They Compare:
Both possess skills not seen in the league when they came in. Both explosive on the fast break.
Lebron is the better all around player, but both were unique physical specimens.
Who Will Be Better:
Lebron. There is no argument.
11. Joe Johnson
14 of 24
Comparison:
Joe Dumars
How They Compare:
Lunch pail guards. Nothing flashy about either. They can both create their own shots, but lack true driving ability.
Who Will Be Better:
Joe Johnson. Dumars is a hall of famer, but that’s debatable.
Johnson does everything a little better.
10. Carlos Boozer
15 of 24
Comparison:
Karl Malone
How They Compare:
Too easy to compare. Both are terrible defenders. Both are great inside, can post up, and can crash the boards.
Who Will Be Better:
Malone. Boozer has carved out a nice career. Hopefully he can get a ring and beat Malone that way.
9. Danny Granger
16 of 24
Comparison:
Alex English
How They Compare:
English as little size, but both men were just good scorers. Neither rebounded very well, or played much defense, but they were both the guy you looked to who could put up the points.
Who Will Be Better:
Granger, but not by much. These guys are pretty evenly matched, and people forget how good English was.
8. Kevin Garnett
17 of 24
Comparison:
Elvin Hayes
How They Compare:
Both were good defenders who could attack the boards. They logged a lot of minutes on those legs. Both have a ring and both ranked in the top ten for minutes played for most of their careers.
Who Will Be Better:
This isn’t even a question. Garnett is a much better player. Hayes was good, just not good enough.
7. Amare Stoudamire
18 of 24
Comparison:
David Robinson
How They Compare:
Robinson was a much better defender, but offensively they are pretty similar. Amare is a bit more explosive, but both guys could back you down or face you up.
Who Will Be Better:
Robinson. He was as good a big as the league had and he was far less injury prone.
6. Dwight Howard
19 of 24
Comparison:
Moses Malone
How They Compare:
Neither man had a big low post game, but they can bang around with the best. They could rebound, score, and block shots. That’s all they needed to do.
Who Will Be Better:
It’s hard to be as dominant as Malone was for a few seasons. However, Howard is one of the best defensive players of all time and comparable on offense. Let’s go with Howard.
5. Chris Bosh
20 of 24
Comparison:
Kevin Mchale
How They Compare:
McHale was a great inside player with so much skill in the low post and at mid-range. Loved to play face up too. Not a great physical player. Bosh is the same way.
Who Will Be Better:
McHale. He’s a better player.
4. Rajon Rondo
21 of 24
Comparison:
Jason Kidd
How They Compare:
Both can’t shoot a jump shot to save their lives, but both can pass like no one’s business.
Kidd was an amazing passer who knew how to get the ball out quickly and lead a fast break. Rondo is the same way.
Who Will Be Better:
Kidd. Rondo is a great point guard, but he also has an amazing set of teammates. Let’s see how he does when the big three are no more.
3. Dwyane Wade
22 of 24
Comparison:
Oscar Robertson
How They Compare:
They were listed at slightly different positions, but they are both the kind of players that could do it all. Wade is a 25/6/5 guy for his career. Robertson is a 25/7/9.
They were of similar height and speed. They both have one ring.
Who Will Be Better:
Robertson. He was a triple double machine. Wade is not that.
2. John Wall
23 of 24
Comparison:
Magic Johnson
How They Compare:
This is an intangible question. They both have the unique ability to completely control a game. The speed, the intensity, it’s all in their hands. Wall is a special player because of the raw court presence he has. Just like Magic.
Who Will Be Better:
It’s unfair to say. Magic is clearly better than Wall, but it’s so early. If Wall lives up to the hype, he can make a case for himself.
1. Derrick Rose
24 of 24
Comparison:
Isaiah Thomas
How They Compare:
Both are points first, point guards. They possess tremendous ability to get to the rim and both worked to improve a weak outside shot.
Who Will Be Better:
Maybe it’s just my bias, but I’ll say Rose. There is no one who can guard him now and he’ll only get better. As long as he stays healthy he’ll be better.
