How much do you value longevity

[SHAQisGOAT]

Peak is better than longevity even though longevity is not to be taken for granted.


Would you rather have a star player for 4 seasons? Or the best player in the league for 2?

Pretty much...

Nobody would take Hayes over Barkley, for example.

Nobody would take Paul Pierce over Bird... Larry didn't have GOAT-level longevity (due to injuries) but he had a top5 all-time peak and still sustained a long prime at terrific level, Truth can't even begin to **** with that.

Nobody would take Stockton over Magic.

I'd most likely rank McHale over Parish.

Moses or Hakeem? Reggie or Wade? Think about that...

But you also have dudes like Kareem who had terrific peak and terrific longevity.
And longevity can sometimes be used to break a tie with certain players, let's say... It also matters, ofc.

[Fallen Angel]

Pretty much...

Nobody would take Hayes over Barkley, for example.

Nobody would take Paul Pierce over Bird... Larry didn't have GOAT-level longevity (due to injuries) but he had a top5 all-time peak and still sustained a long prime at terrific level, Truth can't even begin to **** with that.

Nobody would take Stockton over Magic.

I'd most likely rank McHale over Parish.

Moses or Hakeem? Reggie or Wade? Think about that...

But you also have dudes like Kareem who had terrific peak and terrific longevity.
And longevity can sometimes be used to break a tie with certain players, let's say... It also matters, ofc.

You're talking about players that have multiple years of being MVP candidates vs. players that have been limited to being only All-Stars.

OP brought up Pierce vs. McGrady and you're trying to make this Pierce vs. Bird.

There's a HUGE difference.

You're not wrong, you're just off-topic and stating something that's pretty obvious.

[Fire Colangelo]

Pretty much...

Nobody would take Hayes over Barkley, for example.

Nobody would take Paul Pierce over Bird... Larry didn't have GOAT-level longevity (due to injuries) but he had a top5 all-time peak and still sustained a long prime at terrific level, Truth can't even begin to **** with that.

Nobody would take Stockton over Magic.

I'd most likely rank McHale over Parish.

Moses or Hakeem? Reggie or Wade? Think about that...

But you also have dudes like Kareem who had terrific peak and terrific longevity.
And longevity can sometimes be used to break a tie with certain players, let's say... It also matters, ofc.

Well, I was thinking mainly of players in similar tiers with the more durable player having slightly worse peaks.

Malone vs Barkley for example. Barkley was a better player at his peak, but Malone was no slouch and was much more durable. Who would you take to start a franchise?

McGrady vs Pierce?

Bird vs Kobe?

Magic vs Duncan?

[TheMarkMadsen]

You're talking about players that have multiple years of being MVP candidates vs. players that have been limited to being only All-Stars.

OP brought up Pierce vs. McGrady and you're trying to make this Pierce vs. Bird.

There's a HUGE difference.

You're not wrong, you're just off-topic and stating something that's pretty obvious.

exactly this

a better example would have been Kareem vs Shaq, Kareem probrably wasn't as dominant during his peak but you'd be hard pressed to find somebody taking Shaq due to Kareems longevity

[Legends66NBA7]

Would you pick someone like Karl Malone over Magic Johnson to start a franchise?

Hell no.

Don't care how great Malone's longevity was, not taking him over more Magic.

Pierce over someone like McGrady?

Yes. T-Mac really only had one superb year + some really other good one too and Pierce has a game that can really be relied on without high volume.

Stockton over Isiah?

Depends on the team. For a first option but can defer, Isiah. For a floor general to just run the offense Stockton. Rather have Isiah either way.

LeBron over Bird? Given that LeBron stays relatively injury free until 35-36.

Don't see a problem taking LeBron, but don't see the problem with taking Bird either. I think Bird would probably do better today, it's easier for a guy of his game.

[Rose'sACL]

unless lebron gets injured next year, any GM would be a fool to take bird even if lebron doesn't win another ring.