The GOAT List: 2014 Edition

[G.O.A.T]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#196 Larry Donell Nance
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 13 (11)
Primary Role(s): #3/#4 guy on Good to Very Good teams / Best Player on bad Teams
Prime Averages: 18-9-3-2 on 55/77

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-Ahead of his time with superb length and explosive athleticism, Nance was a fire cracker in Phoenix first then Cleveland. Coming to the Suns in the earlier eighties, Nance fit in with Dennis Johnson, Walter Davis and Maurice Lucas as Phoenix won 50+ games 1983 and went to the conference finals in '84. After being the featured piece during the Suns rebuilding, Nance was shipped to Cleveland in 1988 for Kevin Johnson. In one of the few trades that works great for both sides, The Suns and Cavs both took off. In 1988-89 Nance made his second all-star game and the Cavs won 57 games. The all-star selection and 57 wins would repeat themselves in 1992 and this time Cleveland added in a trip to the conference finals. Nance's athleticism made him a fascinating player. He won the inaugural NBA slam dunk contest in 1984 beating the likes of Doctor J and Dominique Wilkins. But he was more than just a great dunker. He averaged as many as 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. He shot over 50% from the field in every season except his last (49%) and did so with a combination of great finishes at the rim and a deadly 18 foot jump shot. Think Serge Ibaka with a little more coordination and you've got an idea of Nance.
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[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#195 Rudolph Anton LaRusso
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 10 (9)
Primary Role(s): #3 on Title Contenders
Prime Averages: 16/10/2 on 43/77

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-Everyone knows about West and Baylor, but the 1960's Lakers were more than just a two man show. The most common third wheel on the Lakers bus was hard nosed forward Rudy LaRusso. The 6'8" enforcer for the Lakers front line was a five-time all-star and had a reputation as one of the top defensive forwards of his era. Averaging between 12 and 22 points and 8 and 10 rebounds in each of his ten seasons, LaRusso quietly went about the business of stopping the opposition best forward and knocking down 15 footers and hook shots if you dared leave him open. Elgin Baylor said LaRusso was his "favorite teammate" and that he could always count on him. Other teammates credit him with keeping them loose of the court anfdfocused on it as an ardent professional and a great overall guy. Playing in four NBA finals with the Lakers LaRusso posting averages of 14 points and 9 rebounds during those runs. Many Lakers admire LaRusso for his conduct n and off the court and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has said the Lakers should retire his #35 jersey. [/FONT]

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[L.Kizzle]

Lance and Rudy, two overlooked forwards in their day. Even though the PF position in their day wasn't really talked about until later in both of their careers.

[G.O.A.T]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#194 Louie Dampier
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 11 (8)
Primary Role(s): Best player on ABA playoff teams, 3rd Best player on ABA contenders
Prime Averages: 20-3-6 on 44/36/83

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-More than any other player, Louie Dampier's career was missed by basketball fans because of the ABA. Though he did play three NBA seasons, they were late in his career, into his thirties and as a backup for the San Antonio Spurs. But starting with the league and 1967 and seeing it through it's final season in 1976 Dampier played in 822 ABA games for the Kentucky Colonels. He is the ABA's all-time leader in games, minutes played and three-point field goals. For good measure he is also the ABA's all-time leading scorer and assist man. Dampier played his college ball at Kentucky along with Pat Riley. Both were a part of the 1966 team that lost the Championship game to all-Black Texas Western. Drafted by the Royals in the NBA, Dampier opted to join the new ABA and play in his home state. He would make seven all-star teams, four times he was an all-ABA selection. He averaged as many as 26 points a game, poured in 55 one night including 11 threes, and at age 30, he contributed 18 points and 8 assists a night during the Colonels playoff run to their only Championship.
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[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#193 Michael Howard Finley
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 15 (7)
Primary Role(s): #2 on playoff team/#5 on Championship Team
Prime Averages: 21-5-4-1 on 45/38/82

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-There seems to be a distinct lack of Michael Finley type players in the league today. Seemingly the perfect piece for a team, he is athletic, efficent can score inside and out, defend and he almost never turns it over. An off guard with his skill set putting up the type of numbers he did would be an all-star and/or all-NBA lock today. However a decade ago Finley couldn't break into the elite group. For Finley his climb to NBA stardom started in Phoenix as a role player, after being traded in 1997 re-signed with Dallas the next year to get an opportunity for more playing time. During his very best seasons from 1998 to 2001 he played more minutes than any other NBA player. He made two all-star teams and was regularly receiving minimal MVP votes. He was the first piece to the puzzle in turning the Mavericks franchise around. After he was in place, Dallas drafted Dirk Nowitzki, traded for Juwan Howard and Steve Nash and the rest is history. After five consecutive 50-win seasons, but only one conference finals trip, the Mavericks decided to reshape their roster and Finley signed with Texas rival and defending NBA Champion San Antonio. After the Spurs lost to the Mavericks in the 2006 playoffs and watched Dallas advance to the Finals, Finley and his teammates were hungry. Accepting a smaller role as the fifth starter and playing just under 30 minutes per game, Finley brought shooting, defense and that hunger for a title to the table as the Spurs won it all in 2007. [/FONT]

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[G.O.A.T]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#192 John Graham Kerr
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons):
Primary Role(s): #2/#3 on playoff teams
Prime Averages: 16-13-2 on 42/72

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-If your old enough to remember the NBA legends game during all-star weekend (and what a bad idea it was) you might remember a guy who was the size of a house with trace evidence of what was once a head of red hair throwing high post passes between the legs, around the back and in any other non-conventional way he could imagine. That was Johnny "Red" Kerr. Drafted to Syracuse in 1954, right after the shot clock was created by his teams owner Danny Biasone, Kerr arrived just at the right time to bolster an already strong Nationals front court and turn them into the Champions on the 1955 NBA season. Kerr averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds for the playoffs and provided a bigger body to defend against the likes of Fort Wayne's Larry Foust and Philadelphia's Neil Johnston. Kerr would play eight more seasons in Syracuse, the final eight for the franchise before they moved to their new home in Philadelphia. He spent two years as a Sixer, then one as a Baltimore Bullet before retiring in 1966. In total Kerr made three all-star teams, finished as high as sixth in the MVP voting and played in the playoffs every year of his career, including six conference finals.
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[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#191 Paul Theron Silas
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 16 (8)
Primary Role(s): #3/#4 on playoff teams & contenders
Prime Averages: 13-12-3 on 45/65

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-Arguably the top defensive forward of the seventies, Paul Silas made five all-defensive teams in the decade and seemingly went from winner to winner contributing that defense, rebounding and professionalism along the way. Silas played in fourteen postseasons capturing three titles, two with the Celtics and one with the Sonics. He was an all-star in Boston and Phoenix and posted double digits rebounds in St. Louis. Only Kareem, Magic and Wilt (as well as members of the 1960's Celtics) have played in more than the 10 conference finals Silas has appeared in. Silas was one of the top offensive rebounders in the league during his Celtic days, earning a team that had balanced scoring even more chances to shoot the ball. Four times he finished in the top ten in rebounding and ranks 21st all-time in rebounds for his career. Silas made a strong impression on teammates and opponents alike, perhaps none more so than John Havlicek who said of Silas after their second title together in 1976: "Paul is one of the most extraordinary people I've ever known, I'm not just talking about basketball; his character, his experiences, and his wisdom is unparalleled. He's a very strong leader, and you can't help but be affected by him."[/FONT]

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[L.Kizzle]

Finley was one of my favs in the early 2000s. I will always remember his cartwheel dunk.

[G.O.A.T]

Finley was one of my favs in the early 2000s. I will always remember his cartwheel dunk.

Kizzle or anyone else, which current players remind you most of Michael Finley?

[tmacattack33]

If you could list the years they played that could be a little better. And list the years that you are using for their "prime averages".

[G.O.A.T]

If you could list the years they played that could be a little better. And list the years that you are using for their "prime averages".

Most of the players career spans are covered in the brief writeups. Prime seasons are classified for this project as seasons where a player aged at least 50 games in the same or similar role/circumstances as their peak season.

I would do it, but it's literally a Google search away, I think there is more crucial info to look at for the general reader.

If you want specifics about a certain player or group of players pm me.

[L.Kizzle]

Kizzle or anyone else, which current players remind you most of Michael Finley?

Can't think of anyone really. I guess Marvin Williams is a very poor version of Fin.

[G.O.A.T]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#190 Charles Thomas Scott
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 10 (8)
Primary Role(s): #4/#5 on Championship Teams/Best Player Balanced playoff teams
Prime Averages: 24-4-5 on 45/77

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-Prolific scoring guard whose career began in the NBA where he poured 30ppg over two seasons with the Virginia Squires, including the 1971-72 season which was the rookie campaign for Julius Erving, Scott was the team’s leading scorer. The Squires were a team on the rise, but Scott bolted for the NBA after the Celtics (who had his draft rights) traded him to the Suns. Had he stuck around the ABA it seems likely his Squires would have played the Indiana Pacers for the title that year. But instead he posted more big numbers on a bad Phoenix team. Over three seasons he averaged 24 points and as many as six assists. He made three all-star teams in a row, following his two ABA selections and proved himself as a bonafide scorer in the NBA. And so, Boston came calling. They had won the Championship in 1974, but failed to defend their title in 1975 falling short against the Washington Bullets. John Havlicek was getting older, slowing down, and Scott could provide a perimeter scoring punch to help the team get back to the top of the mountain. That’s just what he did. After being acquired in a deal that sent Paul Westphal to the Suns (another trade that worked out great for both parties), Scott would average 18 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists and the Celtics would face the surprising Suns in the NBA finals. He kept up the same pace for much of the playoffs, but saved his best for last , the infamous double overtime game six of the 1976 finals saw Scott post 25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists as the Celtics hing on by the skin of their team for their 13th World Championship. Scott played two more seasons in Boston before they began rebuilding, From there he spent half a season with the Lakers and two years in Denver before retiring at age 32. [/FONT]

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[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#189 Mark Anthony Aguirre
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 13 (7)
Primary Role(s): #4/#5 on Championship Teams/Best Player on Bad Teams
Prime Averages: 25-6-4-1 on 49/31/74

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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-It’s not always fun playing for an NBA expansion team, and Mark Aguirre, the top pick of the 1981 draft found that out after he began his career with the NBA’s 23rd franchise the Dallas Mavericks, right as they began their second NBA season. After having a dazzling career at DePaul, Aguirre despite rumors of an attitude problem was the pick of the Mavericks, their centerpiece to build around. Aguirre, reluctant to express joy after being drafted said he just wanted to get better every year with Dallas, and it started just that way. Dallas jumped to 28 wins in Aguirre’s rookie year and 38 in his second year as he averaged 24 points six rebounds and four assists. He was an all-star his third season as Dallas’ win total improved again and this time, over .500 they would host a best of five playoff series with Seattle. After four grueling games the series was tied and Seattle led Dallas by four with 30 seconds remaining. A steal and lay-up by Rolondo Blackman and a five second violation followed by a Blackman jumper tied the game and forced overtime. There Aguirre hit two key shots to secure a one point win and a series win for the Mavericks. The next two seasons saw 44038 records and two more playoff appearances, but a first round exit against Portland and an a second semifinals loss to the Lakers (despite 28 a game from Aguirre) had the tension between coach Dick Motta and Mark at an all-time high. As their constant feud was described: “The usual unfolding of these well-publicized tiffs: Aguirre does something on the court that irks Motta. Motta yells and then yanks Aguirre from the game. Aguirre sulks. Motta fumes. They exchange words in the locker room afterward. They meet later and, temporarily, patch up differences.” 1987 and 1988 saw the Mavericks field their best two teams of the 80’s. The won 110 games in the two seasons and though they were upset in the first round by high-flying Seattle in 1987, they reached the conference finals and pushed Los Angeles to seven games in 1988, Aguirre for his part led the team with 25 points a game and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists against Showtime. That was the peak for the Mavericks though. Aguirre, now a three-time all-star, however was still feuding with Motta and when Dallas struggled to start the 1988-89 campaign, his name got brought up in trade talks. He eventually he landed in Detroit in exchange for Adrian Dantley. A close friend of Isiah Thomas, Aguirre accepted a lesser role and the Pistons took of, going 37-4 down the stretch and into the playoffs en route to their first title. They would win again in 1990, now with Aguirre providing scoring punch off the bench. Mark stayed with Detroit through 1993, played one season with the Clippers and retired in 1994. [/FONT]

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[Shade8780]

Can we just skip to the top 10?

[G.O.A.T]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]#188 Larry Joe Kenon
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Tier Classification: Winning Pieces: Stars & Specialists
Years Played (Quality Prime Seasons): 10 (7)
Primary Role(s): #2 on above average to very good teams
Prime Averages: 20-10-3-2 on 49/80

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[SIZE="3"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]-A t 6

[G.O.A.T]

Can we just skip to the top 10?

What do you mean?

I don't see how that would work.

Trust me it'll be better because of this.

[fragokota]

Can we just skip to the top 10?

[jlip]

Kizzle or anyone else, which current players remind you most of Michael Finley?

He doesn't particularly remind of Finley, but Joe Johnson is a current player that I would consider a Finley caliber player. Finley was more a slasher (even though he had an effective outside shot), while Joe is more a jump shooter, but they seem to be on the same tier IMO. In their primes both are great #2 players on teams that could go deep in the playoffs.