Post by shorty on Jul 16, 2014 0:58:58 GMT
Wrote this beautiful article earlier, but page refreshed on me, and I lost that shit...
Basically, many of us were like, "Damn," when we saw who retired, and for good reason. This class had some of the original superstars and impact players from this league, and many of us will have fond (and not so fond) memories of these players and their impacts in this league. As GM of the Magic, I have a pretty good understanding of the players in this league, having been fortunate enough to have many of these legends on my squads at various points during this league. I'll put together a starting lineup and a bench using the players from this class:
Basically, many of us were like, "Damn," when we saw who retired, and for good reason. This class had some of the original superstars and impact players from this league, and many of us will have fond (and not so fond) memories of these players and their impacts in this league. As GM of the Magic, I have a pretty good understanding of the players in this league, having been fortunate enough to have many of these legends on my squads at various points during this league. I'll put together a starting lineup and a bench using the players from this class:
Center
Jamaal Magloire
The All Around Big Man
Magloire wasn't a superstar big man, but he could defend, rebound well, and score. The guy had many homes during his time in our league, and he was a regular double double machine where he went. Some of you could argue that Samuel Dalembert could probably be a better starter for this team rather than Magloire due to his better defense, and lower ball-usage, but Magloire was the better player, and you can't go wrong with starting the best talent. Some of his best moments include the first Finals in 2003 when Magloire held down Shaq and nearly upset the Kobe-Shaq Lakers in 7 games.
Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki
The German Luftwaffe
Dirk Nowitzki was one of the most unstoppable scoring machines this league has ever seen. He could score on you inside, mid-range, or on the perimeter. If you foul him, he'll hit his FTs. Dirk was a very solid defender as well and he can hold his own rebounding the ball. That makes the German 7 footer nearly unstoppable on offense, and his stats throughout his career shows it. Some of us may most recently remember him ring-chasing on the Cavs with Duncan, Kyrie, and Caron Butler. However, back in his prime, teams were building teams around HIM. Dirk led the Mavs to deep runs in the playoffs, helped anchor one of the most unstoppable offenses in the league in Orlando, and later helped revitalize the Detroit Pistons before finally helping contribute to the Cavs' championship in 2013. He might have won a ring in Orlando too if it weren't for his untimely injury in the 2005 Finals. Regardless of how many rings the man has, it was undeniable that he was a difference maker wherever he went, and the league may not see such a gifted PF scorer in the League for a while.
Small Forward:
Tracy McGrady
The SuperDuperStar
Needless to say, I could talk this guy all day (he was the sole reason I picked the Magic after all). Most of us won't appreciate what a talent Tmac was due to his unfortunate decline after age 30, and his diminished impact in the past few seasons, but during his prime, McGrady was easily one of the top talents in the league. A career 25ppg player who was more like a 30ppg player in his prime and good for 6-7 boards a game + 4-5APG, McGrady was an all-around player whose impact could carry any team. Unfortunately, injuries to his teams, and other factors prevented McGrady from winning more than one ring, but along with Dirk and later Steve Francis, McGrady led some offensively unstoppable Magic squads in the 2000s. This guy was one of the first superduperstars in this league, and he stat-stuffed on some very good teams. Even with his later struggles, most of the older GMs in this league will remember Tmac.
Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant
The Lord of the Rings
This retirement class is highlighted by Kobe "Bean" Bryant, the man who won rings on 4 different teams, 3 different conferences, and in 2 separate countries. Unlike McGrady, Kobe continued to show excellence later on in his 30s, and no player has made as much an impact on this league as Kobe. An unstoppable dual scorer, great passer, and great defender, Kobe could do it all, and he was a regular 30/7/5 type of player in his prime during the 2000s. Known to be clutch in Game 7s and when it mattered the most, each time he was traded, Kobe made the previous team regret the trade as he would carry whatever squad he was on to new heights and usually, to a championship. The reputations of GMs in this league have risen and fallen because of this man, and fittingly, the greatest retirement class of this league is led by the greatest player in this league.
Point Guard
Steve Francis
The Little Engine That Could
Honestly, with a starting lineup of Kobe Bryant, Tmac, and Dirk, you could put Luke Ridnour as the PG and this team could still dominate a season 80-2, or crush in an AS game. But every good team needs a good PG, and Francis is the man for the job. Put Francis on this squad, and they'll go 82 - 0, and not even have an AS game cuz this team would be declared winners before it started. Like the other players in this class (and like most players in general), Francis played on many teams throughout his career, and made an impact wherever he went. Steve Francis was the rare guard who could shoot, score inside, defend, pass, AND rebound well. Wherever he went, Francis put up big numbers, and always stepped up whenever the team needed him. Despite a mid-career slump due to a string of mediocre TCs, Francis had a career renaissance around age 30, and captured Finals MVP in the 2009 Finals as the standout player on a team with Tmac, Ron Artest, and Shawn Marion. Even after he was traded from the Magic, Francis continued to produce for the teams he played on, and it's hard to label Steve Francis as anything but a pure winner.
Key Players off the Bench:
Michael Redd
Michael Redd was one of the best pure shooters this league has seen, and has made an impact for many teams throughout his career. The perfect Chuck weapon for a Chuck team, Michael Redd was an elite shooter who could hold his own rebounding and defending. He led the Bucks to many winning seasons in the early days, and he later on made a big impact on other teams. (NOTE: I FORGOT IF HE HAS A RING OR NOT, SO CAN SOMEONE HELP CLARIFY?) Redd's game scaled well in old age, and fittingly, even at age 34, he salvaged the 76ers, and the core of Stephon Curry and Brook Lopez is alive today due to Redd's veteran leadership on that team. If it weren't for the super talented guards in this retirement class, Michael Redd would easily be a starting guard for any other retirement class.
Baron Davis
If Steve Francis needed to take a piss during the game, he can take his time, aim, and relax because Baron Davis as a backup is a luxury. Baron Davis was one of those PGs whose ratings were sexy, whose stats were solid, and everything looked good on paper.. but for whatever reason he just wasn't a player you wanted to go that extra mile and carry your team when needed. Baron Davis passed well, defended well, and he could score, however he failed to capture a ring during his lengthy career and could never replicate the impact some of the other players in this retirement class pumped out. With that said, Baron Davis had a fantastic AS career. And seriously Francis, take your time, Davis can hold the fort on this team. Just don't expect him to make a game winner or anything tho.
Carlos Boozer
Compared to the other players in this class, Boozer won't measure up, but he was a great low-post scorer, and a solid rebounder throughout his career. He never led a team, nor can he tbh, but as a backup big for instant offense, Boozer is a man for the job. You can't have a career lasting in double-digits unless you were good enough, and Boozer was a very respectable big in this league.
Samuel Dalembert
He was a good defender, although he was never more than a role player. On this team, that's really all you need. Kobe, Francis, and Tmac are all good rebounders for their position, and so you can let up a little with Dalembert. A defensive role player might be exactly what this team needs. As a role player, you can't have a career lasting in double digits unless you were a good one, and Dalembert had a nice career.
Frederick Jones
I admit, I don't know much about this guy except that the only time you don't see finish him top 3 in a Slam Dunk contest is when he tears his ACL. The guy is a bit of a mystery, and I couldn't name you one team that he was a part of. Still, it's fitting that the greatest retirement class would feature one of the ASW's greatest participants in Frederick Jones.
Jamaal Magloire
The All Around Big Man
Magloire wasn't a superstar big man, but he could defend, rebound well, and score. The guy had many homes during his time in our league, and he was a regular double double machine where he went. Some of you could argue that Samuel Dalembert could probably be a better starter for this team rather than Magloire due to his better defense, and lower ball-usage, but Magloire was the better player, and you can't go wrong with starting the best talent. Some of his best moments include the first Finals in 2003 when Magloire held down Shaq and nearly upset the Kobe-Shaq Lakers in 7 games.
Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki
The German Luftwaffe
Dirk Nowitzki was one of the most unstoppable scoring machines this league has ever seen. He could score on you inside, mid-range, or on the perimeter. If you foul him, he'll hit his FTs. Dirk was a very solid defender as well and he can hold his own rebounding the ball. That makes the German 7 footer nearly unstoppable on offense, and his stats throughout his career shows it. Some of us may most recently remember him ring-chasing on the Cavs with Duncan, Kyrie, and Caron Butler. However, back in his prime, teams were building teams around HIM. Dirk led the Mavs to deep runs in the playoffs, helped anchor one of the most unstoppable offenses in the league in Orlando, and later helped revitalize the Detroit Pistons before finally helping contribute to the Cavs' championship in 2013. He might have won a ring in Orlando too if it weren't for his untimely injury in the 2005 Finals. Regardless of how many rings the man has, it was undeniable that he was a difference maker wherever he went, and the league may not see such a gifted PF scorer in the League for a while.
Small Forward:
Tracy McGrady
The SuperDuperStar
Needless to say, I could talk this guy all day (he was the sole reason I picked the Magic after all). Most of us won't appreciate what a talent Tmac was due to his unfortunate decline after age 30, and his diminished impact in the past few seasons, but during his prime, McGrady was easily one of the top talents in the league. A career 25ppg player who was more like a 30ppg player in his prime and good for 6-7 boards a game + 4-5APG, McGrady was an all-around player whose impact could carry any team. Unfortunately, injuries to his teams, and other factors prevented McGrady from winning more than one ring, but along with Dirk and later Steve Francis, McGrady led some offensively unstoppable Magic squads in the 2000s. This guy was one of the first superduperstars in this league, and he stat-stuffed on some very good teams. Even with his later struggles, most of the older GMs in this league will remember Tmac.
Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant
The Lord of the Rings
This retirement class is highlighted by Kobe "Bean" Bryant, the man who won rings on 4 different teams, 3 different conferences, and in 2 separate countries. Unlike McGrady, Kobe continued to show excellence later on in his 30s, and no player has made as much an impact on this league as Kobe. An unstoppable dual scorer, great passer, and great defender, Kobe could do it all, and he was a regular 30/7/5 type of player in his prime during the 2000s. Known to be clutch in Game 7s and when it mattered the most, each time he was traded, Kobe made the previous team regret the trade as he would carry whatever squad he was on to new heights and usually, to a championship. The reputations of GMs in this league have risen and fallen because of this man, and fittingly, the greatest retirement class of this league is led by the greatest player in this league.
Point Guard
Steve Francis
The Little Engine That Could
Honestly, with a starting lineup of Kobe Bryant, Tmac, and Dirk, you could put Luke Ridnour as the PG and this team could still dominate a season 80-2, or crush in an AS game. But every good team needs a good PG, and Francis is the man for the job. Put Francis on this squad, and they'll go 82 - 0, and not even have an AS game cuz this team would be declared winners before it started. Like the other players in this class (and like most players in general), Francis played on many teams throughout his career, and made an impact wherever he went. Steve Francis was the rare guard who could shoot, score inside, defend, pass, AND rebound well. Wherever he went, Francis put up big numbers, and always stepped up whenever the team needed him. Despite a mid-career slump due to a string of mediocre TCs, Francis had a career renaissance around age 30, and captured Finals MVP in the 2009 Finals as the standout player on a team with Tmac, Ron Artest, and Shawn Marion. Even after he was traded from the Magic, Francis continued to produce for the teams he played on, and it's hard to label Steve Francis as anything but a pure winner.
Key Players off the Bench:
Michael Redd
Michael Redd was one of the best pure shooters this league has seen, and has made an impact for many teams throughout his career. The perfect Chuck weapon for a Chuck team, Michael Redd was an elite shooter who could hold his own rebounding and defending. He led the Bucks to many winning seasons in the early days, and he later on made a big impact on other teams. (NOTE: I FORGOT IF HE HAS A RING OR NOT, SO CAN SOMEONE HELP CLARIFY?) Redd's game scaled well in old age, and fittingly, even at age 34, he salvaged the 76ers, and the core of Stephon Curry and Brook Lopez is alive today due to Redd's veteran leadership on that team. If it weren't for the super talented guards in this retirement class, Michael Redd would easily be a starting guard for any other retirement class.
Baron Davis
If Steve Francis needed to take a piss during the game, he can take his time, aim, and relax because Baron Davis as a backup is a luxury. Baron Davis was one of those PGs whose ratings were sexy, whose stats were solid, and everything looked good on paper.. but for whatever reason he just wasn't a player you wanted to go that extra mile and carry your team when needed. Baron Davis passed well, defended well, and he could score, however he failed to capture a ring during his lengthy career and could never replicate the impact some of the other players in this retirement class pumped out. With that said, Baron Davis had a fantastic AS career. And seriously Francis, take your time, Davis can hold the fort on this team. Just don't expect him to make a game winner or anything tho.
Carlos Boozer
Compared to the other players in this class, Boozer won't measure up, but he was a great low-post scorer, and a solid rebounder throughout his career. He never led a team, nor can he tbh, but as a backup big for instant offense, Boozer is a man for the job. You can't have a career lasting in double-digits unless you were good enough, and Boozer was a very respectable big in this league.
Samuel Dalembert
He was a good defender, although he was never more than a role player. On this team, that's really all you need. Kobe, Francis, and Tmac are all good rebounders for their position, and so you can let up a little with Dalembert. A defensive role player might be exactly what this team needs. As a role player, you can't have a career lasting in double digits unless you were a good one, and Dalembert had a nice career.
Frederick Jones
I admit, I don't know much about this guy except that the only time you don't see finish him top 3 in a Slam Dunk contest is when he tears his ACL. The guy is a bit of a mystery, and I couldn't name you one team that he was a part of. Still, it's fitting that the greatest retirement class would feature one of the ASW's greatest participants in Frederick Jones.
