He made second-team the other season. Shaq Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Bill Russell Who has made the most three-pointers in NBA history? Bottom line: For the entirety of his career, Scott Skiles was listed at 6-foot-1. 3 min read. In any other era he would be a dominant power forward, yet he possesses the skill set of a point guard with a 6-foot-8, 250 pound frame. His most iconic play was a baseline, left-handed dunk over Jordan and Horace Grant in the playoffs. Kelly Oubre Jr. for instance, fits both criteria exactly . They got there because they were tough, and thats something that fans have appreciated since the league first began play. Johnson won three NBA titles in his career, which is almost entirely associated with his time with the Boston Celtics, but that was his third team after he was run off in Seattle and Phoenix because of clashes with coaches. Despite being too short and overweight most of the time (by NBA standards), Barkley dominated almost the entirety of his career and is the shortest player in history to lead the league in rebounds. Roundfield toiled in relative anonymity for his entire career but still managed to make the All-NBA Defensive Team five times and made three consecutive All-Star teams, almost stealing MVP honors in 1980 with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Where Love is toughest has been in his approach to the mental aspects of the game, where hes been open about his struggles with anxiety, rage and depression bringing widespread awareness to an issue that still is considered taboo in some corners. Some of the most legendary players in the history of the NBA include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Even in the 1970s, at 6-foot-9, Cowens was thought to be too small to play center in the NBA. Damian Lillard 2. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1992-95), Miami Heat (1995-2002, 2005-08), New Jersey Nets (2003-04), Key stats: 838 G, 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 52.7 FG%. Myself, I liked to get my fight over on Monday or Tuesday and not worry about it the rest of the week.". Boasting great size at 6-foot-8 and about 250 pounds, hes strong enough to finish through contact, he has a strong midrange game, and his three point shooting has been improving year after year. And he only played one season, his rookie year, with the Baltimore Bullets. Skiles languished on the bench, somewhat unfairly, for his first three seasons before going to the expansion Orlando Magic, where he set the NBA record with 30 assists in one game and was named NBA Most Improved Player in 1991. Maravich wasnt the most conventional star to ever play the game, but his flashy play and outstanding skill level made him one of the most exciting scorers to ever step on a basketball court. Johnson went to work as a forklift driver after he graduated, while he grew to 6-foot-3 over the next year, and was spotted during a pickup game by a junior college coach because of the intense way he played defense. Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images. The 6-foot-1 guard played his last college season for Arkansas in 2007-08, then bounced around foreign pro leagues until 2013, when he made his NBA debut with the Houston Rockets. Each of the last three seasons, NBA players voting in an anonymous poll have listed Adams as one of the three players they would least like to fight in the entire league. As, there are many NBA teams like Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, LA Clippers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks , and Houston Rockets. Teams: Indiana Pacers (1975-78), Atlanta Hawks (1978-84), Detroit Pistons (1984-85), Washington Bullets (1985-87), Key stats: 813 G, 14.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 48.2 FG%. Which NBA player holds the record for the most consecutive games played? He never played less than 79 games in his first 13 NBA seasons before abruptly retiring early in the 1993-94 season after a fight with teammate Isiah Thomas. MyStakeSports indeed has its' partner in Telegram as well. PHN can confirm the deal. Its ironic that Dumars, who has the NBA Sportsmanship Award named after him, was such a key part of Detroits "Bad Boys" teams that won NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bottom line: Alonzo Mourning crafted a career as one of the greatest defensive players in basketball history, putting the world on notice by leading the nation in blocked shots as a freshman at Georgetown University. In the NBA, some of the greatest players of all time have also been some of the toughest as well as some of the most beloved. He finished his career as the second most prolific scorer in NBA history with 36,928 points and shot 51.6% from the field over his 19 seasons. The mental aspect is just as important. If Durant stays healthy, and considering hes already started excusing himself from USA Basketball activities to remain fresh, theres no telling just how many points he could score. "Just like that. By the way, Lakers fan by any chance? Bottom line: Kenyon Martin was the last college senior to be picked No. "You'd have a fight a week," Johnson told Sports Illustrated in 1992. Because 16.2 rebounds per game is just insane. Bottom line: Kendrick Perkins was basketballs version of a hockey enforcer on some truly great teams the Celtics in the late 2000s that included an NBA title in 2008 and several almost-great Oklahoma City Thunder teams with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the early 2010s. That makes the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 15-time All-NBA pick one of the toughest and most durable players of all time. His consolation? Helpful clues! Feedback will be revealed comparing your guessed player. Robertsons specialty was defense, making the All-NBA Defensive Team six times in his career and was NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986. I mean I guess you could say Dame's slightly ahead of Curry on advanced stats but not Luka. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar poured in more than 38,000 points in his 20 year career, dipping below 1,000 points in a season only once, and averaging 24.6 points-per-game for his career while shooting a sizzling 55.9% from the field. But no one who ever watched the man play would classify it as such. A lot of people will be quick to credit much of Karl Malones success to his running mate John Stockton and the way they perfected the pick and roll, but you cant deny the pure consistency that the Mailman showed throughout the course of his career. However, the Hornets are currently on a five-game winning streak, defeating the Detroit Pistons in their last matchup. Teams: San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-76), Cleveland Cavaliers (1976-77), Key stats: 964 G, 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 42.1 FG%. Williams spent his first eight seasons with the Nets but became a household name during his seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Bottom line: Theres a long lineage of forwards rounding out championship trios in the NBA based on their ability to blend with generational talent and still cut their own swath. Teams: Chicago Bulls (1984-93, 1995-98), Washington Wizards (2001-03), Key stats: 1,072 G, 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 49.7 FG%, NBA titles: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998). He never got in another fight after what happened with Tomjanovich, but hes currently doing six years in federal prison for embezzling money meant for children in Africa. Many players could stay in front of Bird, but his fade away . The 6-foot-6 product of UMass spent the first five years of his career in the ABA before becoming arguably the most legendary player in Philadelphia 76ers franchise history, pouring in more than 18,000 points in 11 NBA seasons and over 30,000 points when you include his five seasons in the ABA. Over the last 25 years, the next closest per game scoring average was Kobe Bryant's 35.4 points per game in 2005 - 06. Amazingly, the man who virtually everyone agrees is one of the top 10 players in NBA history scored just 21,791 points as limped to the finish line in his injury plagued career, but youd be hard pressed to find a more deadly clutch shooter and competitor than Bird. Anthony Edwards is the most intriguing player on the T'Wolves because, despite being only 21 years old, it is unquestionably his team. Despite going undrafted, Wallace won an NBA-record four Defensive Player of the Year awards (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and helped lead the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title and back into the finals in 2005. Hes also the only undrafted player in NBA history to be voted a starter for the All-Star game. He also was durable, ranking in the Top 25 in games played. Bottom line: Opponents underestimated John Stocktons toughness at their own peril throughout his 18 seasons, including 11 in which he was selected first-, second- or third-team All-NBA. After he went undrafted in 2002 following a standout career at the University of Florida, Haslem found his only pro opportunity was playing in France, and he showed up weighing almost 300 pounds. If Kobe is ever able to get healthy again, hell be able to surpass Jordan for third place on the career scoring list, and is currently one of just five players to ever surpass 30,000 points. instead of being the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player and an 11-time All-Star. Check back soon for Daily Lineup. Bottom line: Bob Pettit was one of the most prolific scorers and rebounders in NBA history, and if you did a double take at his career rebounding average, thats understandable. Guess the most average players - The average NBA height is 6'6" and the average age is 26 years old. Hes not even 30 years old yet and hes already poured in more than 23,000 points, and despite people knocking his jump shot, hes a career 34.1% shooter from long distance. !Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsportsguy5/TikTok: https:/. 3. Teams: New Jersey Nets (1989-90), Denver Nuggets (1990-91), New York Knicks (1991-96), Charlotte Hornets (1996-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Milwaukee Bucks (2001-03), Key stats: 882 G, 10.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 50.9 FG%. On the flip side of that, fans across the country got a chance to see what made Jackson such a special player as he took starring turns for the Clippers and Pacers over the next decade. I mean, sure, the NFL still reigns supreme in terms of . 18 amazing levels! Will I Make The Basketball Team Quiz. I guess I could buy both Dame and Steph being in kind of a tier 2.5. Why is Oakley so beloved? The Charlotte Hornets are 20-43 this season, placing them in the second-last position in the Eastern Conference. To put into perspective just how thoroughly Chamberlain owned the low post, the lane was widened from 12 to 16 feet specifically to make things a little fairer for people not named Wilt. After missing Game 6 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers with a torn thigh muscle, Reed was almost certainly a scratch for Game 7. France. Lucas also could ball. Basketball has developed into the highest scoring of the major sports, and thats one of its great appeals. By playing ferocious defense, first of all, and also by having what could only be described as a throwback attitude to decades past when it comes to the competition. The Rangers acquired Kane from Chicago in a three-team trade Tuesday night, adding the three-time Stanley Cup champion to their core that reached the Eastern Conference final last year and a couple of recent additions, including prolific scoring winger . News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. If you ever happened to catch a game that Skiles played in, you know thats spotting him at least 2-3 inches. Thats because Johnson, a second-degree black belt in karate, has been a professional MMA fighter and kickboxer since he was 18 years old and has a 7-0 record in MMA matches and 20-0 record in kickboxing. Bottom line: At one point in NBA history, no player was tougher or more intimidating than Larry Johnson, the No. Famed broadcaster Howard Cosell summed up Americas feelings toward Reed in the winning locker room after the game. And even 40 years after one of the most infamous incidents in pro sports, his name still invokes a certain feeling of uneasiness. Approximately $200 million in career earnings. There might not be anyone in NBA history with a sports background quite like Nash, which helps explain why he always seemed to have blood on his jersey. The retired NBA player-turned-TNT analyst spoke with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's 'First Take' to discuss the issue that has increasingly become a hot topic among league execs and players. If you were to look at the earliest clips of Hakeem Olajuwon playing basketball in college and then in his first couple of seasons in the NBA, youd probably never have expected him to evolve into one of the most skilled and talented big men in league history. Why is Jokic the only player in history to not suffer from voter fatigue? Hes already a five-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection (in just eight seasons), NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and has won three NBA titles. He finished his career with a scoring average of 24.3 points-per-game, and had one of the best shooting lines in basketball history. Bottom line: When it comes to Bill Laimbeer, the argument is always going to come down to whether he was a tough player or just dirty. The toughness wasnt just an act. Starks worked his way up from 10-day contracts with the Warriors to the CBA to finally landing a shot with the Knicks in 1990, where he spent almost a decade as a key foil to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and died of leukemia in 2016. It's the decisions that can make a contender a winner or leave a long-suffering franchise stuck in a first-round abyss. Its almost unfair that a player could come along with Durants combination of size, measuring in at 6-foot-9, and shooting range. They can't add someone like Boeser because of their buyout dead cap space that they have on the books without moving someone else out. Foust, an eight-time All-Star, died in 1984 of a heart attack at 59 years old. Learn more about players history or bio after guessing correctly! Martins innate toughness came from a pretty awful place. Bottom line: Dan Roundfield "Dr. Rounds" could be the next name you drop in a conversation with fellow NBA heads when youre talking about the most underrated, underappreciated players of all time. Popular Quizzes Today. Use all the clues to your advantage - You get a lot of information when you enter a guess, so make sure to guess unique players that will fill out as many of the hints as possible. MyStake Mini Games Quiz. The game of basketball had meager beginnings, with a bunch of athletically awkward guys trying to toss a ball into a peach basket. 1. KOT4Q and Korzemba please try this trivia and let's see if you two are truthfully the GOAT's of NBA trivia These are the toughest players in NBA history. And thats fair, because he almost killed Houstons Rudy Tomjanovich with one punch during a game in December 1977. Its also a clear indicator of where his toughness came from he trails only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell in that category. Jordan's done a great job working hard, so he's doing everything we're asking. Shaquille O'Neal The morning after you played Shaq, it always felt like you were in a fight. Unseld was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Bottom line: NBA connoisseurs can appreciate what Michael Cooper brought to the Los Angeles Lakers' "Showtime" dynasty of the 1980s. Bottom line: Willis Reed isnt just one of the toughest players in NBA history. But at the end of the day, thats precisely why he was such an unguardable force no one could stop him from physically dominating them and getting those dunks anytime he wanted. The Diesel was one of the biggest, strongest, and perhaps the most powerful presence in NBA history. Its kind of incredible to think of now, but McHale didnt even become a full-time starter until five years into his career, winning NBA Sixth Man of the Year twice in that stretch. For the 1990s video-game kids, he also was one of three players on the original "NBA Jam" who could consistently rebound. Chris Bosh with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on the Heat in the 2010s. World Cup 2022 Quiz. Theyre still the only players to pull off the feat. The mystery player will play in the Standard NBA leagues. Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Rodman always was willing to do that little extra to get a rebound or make a defensive play, which usually meant sacrificing his body by diving for a loose ball. Weddle - NFL Wordle - Guess the NFL player in as few tries as possible. Teams: Phoenix Suns (1996-98, 2004-12), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-15), Key stats: 1,217 G, 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 49.0 FG%. Bottom line: LeBron James could be in the Top 30 NBA career games played at the end of the 2019-20 season and likely will break Robert Parrishs career record of 1,611 games if he plays four more seasons, which hes openly said he wants to do. Some of the numbers Malone put up were absolutely silly by todays standards, such as when he boasted per-game averages of 31.1 points and 14.7 boards during the 1981-82 season. In addition to starting lineups, this tool will also display Vegas odds, positions and salaries for that day's games on DraftKings. In the 1970s, it was Bob Dandridge, who scored more points in the NBA Finals in that decade than any NBA player while winning a title in 1971 alongside Oscar Robertson and Abdul-Jabbar on the Bucks, then alongside Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld on the Bullets in 1978. Malone averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds every night in 11 seasons, and about the only reason hes not a little bit higher on this list is the fact that his career shooting percentage was a shade under 50% from the field. Here are the toughest, and easiest, places to play in this year's NBA Playoffs. Chamberlain was simply too much for anyone from his era not named Bill Russell to handle, setting records like an average of 50.4 points-per-game during his third season and pouring in 100 in a single game. NBA star Ja Morant 'flashed a gun at a 17-year-old after punching him 12 to 13 times' at his Tennessee mansion days after 'threatening' a Memphis mall security guard last summer, according to a . Hes also on track to break the NBA career minutes played record in that same span. Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Bulls in the 1990s. He helped lead the Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title and set the tone in the NBA Finals by squaring off with Darryl Dawkins (!) In Moncriefs 10 seasons with the Bucks, his teams lost in the conference finals or conference semifinals eight times. Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1996-2006, 2009-10), Denver Nuggets (2006-08), Detroit Pistons (2008-09), Memphis Grizzlies (2009), Key stats: 914 G, 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47.5 FG%. Bottom line: John Havlicek is one of just four players in NBA history to win eight NBA titles. You can also point directly to Bryants introduction to the league, when he got the sort of welcome outside of Los Angeles that you might expect for a 13th-century leper, as other teams' stars tried to "put him in his place.". 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