addictionary:
Starters:
Bill Walton
Elvin “Big E” Hayes
Elgin “Mr Inside” Baylor
Michael “Air” Jordan
Oscar “Big O” Robertson
Subs:
Arvydas “Sabas” Sabonis (height 7’3)
Ralph Sampson (height 7’4)
David “Skywalker” Thompson
Earl “the Pearl” Monroe
Stephon “Starbury” Marbury
Starters...
Bill Walton:
Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players in history. The team leader on defense, Walton was a superb rebounder and outlet passer to start the fast break. Offensively, Walton developed a deadly jump hook that he shot with either hand. Above all, the big redhead set the tone for his teammates. He was all business on the court and his success is well-chronicled. Walton was an outstanding student-athlete at UCLA where he led the Bruins to two national championships and an 88-game winning streak. In the 1973 national championship game, Walton scored 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting. His deft passing, shooting, jumping, and running skills helped the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship. He was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player the following year and made the All-NBA First Team. Although chronic foot and knee injuries prohibited Walton from enjoying an extended professional career, he still managed to capture one more NBA championship in 1986 with the Boston Celtics.
Elvin Hayes:
Possessing a devastating turnaround jump shot, Elvin Hayes got the most out his ability during a stellar collegiate and professional career. As a center at the University of Houston, his most memorable moment came on January 20, 1968 when Hayes out-dueled Lew Alcindor and UCLA in front of a capacity crowd of 52,693 at the Houston Astrodome. In the first ever, nationally televised college game in history, Hayes scored 39 points and had 15 rebounds for Houston, ending UCLA's 47-game win streak in what was called "The Game of the Century." Hayes began his pro career in 1968 as the first overall pick in the draft by the San Diego Rockets. His rookie campaign saw Hayes score 28.4 points per game, lead the NBA in scoring, and be named to the All-Rookie Team. As a Baltimore/Washington Bullet, he teamed with Hall of Famer Wes Unseld to form a dominating frontcourt combination that led the Bullets to three NBA Finals and an NBA title over Seattle in 1978. As a three-time All-America, Hayes led Houston to an 81-12 record and two Final Four appearances.
Elgin Baylor:
Basketball purists sum up Elgin Baylor's game with one word: unstoppable. Baylor was an innovative offensive force never before seen. The 6-foot-5 Baylor possessed tremendous body control and could suspend himself in air, causing many to say he was "the man with a thousand moves." With his slashing drives to the hoop and his springboard-like jump shots, he dominated his opponents. He had a strong first step, and he used it creatively. Baylor was the first athlete to play above the rim, paving the way for future leapers like Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan. On November 15, 1960, Baylor became the first player in NBA history to break the 70-point barrier when he torched the New York Knicks for 71 points. Baylor, who teamed with Jerry West to form one of the most-feared scoring duos in the NBA, was named All-NBA First Team ten times.
Michael Jordan:
Michael Jordan personified greatness on the court, and redefined superstar athlete off it. His freshman season at UNC culminated with Jordan hitting the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA national title game. That shot put Michael on the map and a new era was born. Following his junior year, Jordan entered the NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls. The young superstar began stockpiling NBA hardware. The court was his and the world soon followed. His unmistakable style - the wagging tongue, the baggy shorts, the signature line of sneakers - helped make the 14-time All Star the most recognizable person on the planet. Still his resume lacked an NBA title. Then in 1991, the Jordan-led Bulls launched an all-out assault on the rest of the league winning three straight world championships. Michael won Olympic gold again in 1992 and then in 1993 abruptly retired from the Bulls to play minor league baseball. He returned to the NBA full-time in 1995 and the Bulls promptly won three consecutive titles. Jordan was named Finals MVP each time. In 2001, Jordan made a second improbable comeback and still averaged 20 points per game and appeared in the 2002 and 2003 All Star Games.
Oscar Robertson:
Oscar Robertson was one of the greatest players in history. The "Big O" could do it all. He was an unstoppable offensive player who could score from every spot on the court and in any manner he saw fit. Robertson's offensive prowess changed the point guard stereotype from simply a passer and floor general to a scorer and offensive weapon. His collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati was historic. Robertson established 19 school and 14 NCAA records and led the Bearcats to a 79-9 record and two straight NCAA Final Fours. Enjoying a prolific 14-year NBA career with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson amassed 26,710 points and 9,887 assists. He entered the NBA in 1960 and immediately established himself averaging 30.5 points per game and captured Rookie of the Year honors. The Big O's best statistical season came in 1961-62 when he averaged a triple-double for the entire season, averaging 30.8 ppg, 11.4 apg and 12.5 rpg, a feat that has never been duplicated.
Subs.. Twin Towers... Twin PointGods...Who are They?
Arvydas Sabonis:
Sabonis is considered one of the best big man passers, as well as one of the best overall centers, in the history of the game.
Bill Waltononce called Sabonis, "a 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
Larry Bird", due to his unique court vision, shooting range, rugged in-game mentality, and versatility.
[1]
Ralph Sampson:
A 7-foot-4 phenom, three-time
College Player of the Year, and
first selectionin the
1983 NBA draft, Sampson brought heavy expectations with him to the
National Basketball Association(NBA). The
NBA Rookie of the Year, Sampson averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds for his first three seasons with the
Houston Rocketsbefore injuries began to take their toll. Three knee surgeries later he retired as a four-time
All-Star, an
NBA Rookie of the Year, and an
NBA All-Star Game MVP(
1985). One of his many career highlights was a buzzer-beating shot to dethrone the
Los Angeles Lakersas Western Conference champions in 1986, derailing their hopes for coveted back-to-back NBA titles, and sending the Rockets to their second NBA Finals in the team's history.
David Thompson:
With lightning quick moves, an explosive 44-inch vertical leap, and a precise shooting touch, David Thompson often left opposing defenders in his dust. According to rumor, while at North Carolina State University, the awe-inspiring Thompson was able to grab a quarter off the top of a backboard. A three-time Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, he was also considered the conference's greatest player. During his junior year at NC State, Thompson led the Wolfpack to the NCAA title and earned Most Outstanding Player honors. Thompson began his pro career as the ABA's Rookie of the Year in 1976. Thompson starred for nine ABA/NBA seasons with the Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics. The high-flying guard/forward averaged 20 or more points per game for six consecutive seasons. His prolific scoring record was highlighted by the 73 points he tallied in the final game of the 1978 season in the closest scoring title race in NBA history.
Earl Monroe:
Earl Monroe was a maestro of the hardwood orchestrating a dazzling show in front of thousands of fans every night. His twisting, spinning, faking, double-pump, and dribbling exploits made him a cult hero and earned him the nickname "The Pearl." Under Hall of Fame coach Clarence Gaines, Monroe became a collegiate star of considerable stature at Winston-Salem State winning the College Division national championship in 1967. He averaged 41.5 points per game his senior season. Monroe then dazzled professionally with the Baltimore Bullets where he and fellow Hall of Famer Wes Unseld created a devastating fast break not seen before in the NBA. In 1971, Monroe joined the New York Knicks where he and Walt Frazier formed an All Star celebrity backcourt that ultimately landed the Knicks the 1973 NBA championship. The 1968 NBA Rookie of the Year, Monroe pounded the hardwood during an era of great guards and wonderful showmen and proved the little man still mattered in a big man's game.
Stephon Marbury:
Despite his uncoachableness fame, Marbury was one pf the best ball handler slasher guards ever to play the game who also was a very good defender and disher. He was one of those streetball masterminds with talents that could not be matched in his prime.
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