Is Karl Malone a top 10 player if...

[LoneyROY7]

...MJ doesn't push off and the Jazz go on to win the title in 1998?

1 championship with those kind of numbers/accolades? I think he'd have a strong argument.

[ShawkFactory]

Who does he bump out? You cant put him over Hakeem with just the one title.

[LoneyROY7]

Who does he bump out? You cant put him over Hakeem with just the one title.

He was greater over the span of his career then Hakeem. Hakeem had the better peak, but it could be arguable if Karl had that championship.

[ArbitraryWater]

MJ didnt push off though

[Sarcastic]

Jordan hits the shot over Bryon Russell even without the push. Malone fcked it up with his butter fingers, giving the ball back to the GOAT.

[LoneyROY7]

MJ didnt push off though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdPQ3QxDZ1s

Might be the most blatant non-call in the history of the NBA.

[CurryOverLebron]

[LoneyROY7]

Over 18 seasons, Karl averaged 25/10/4 on 52 percent. Those numbers are incredible to maintain over that time-span.

[feyki]

No .

[kamil]

...MJ doesn't push off and the Jazz go on to win the title in 1998?

1 championship with those kind of numbers/accolades? I think he'd have a strong argument.

There would still be a game 7 to play... you're assuming they'd win both 6 and 7.

[LoneyROY7]

People really don't appreciate the consistency of high-level play that Karl maintained from the moment he stepped onto the hardwood until the day he retired.

[LoneyROY7]

There would still be a game 7 to play... you're assuming they'd win both 6 and 7.

MJ had no experience in a Finals game 7. I'd like Utah's chances.

[T_L_P]

Over 18 seasons, Karl averaged 25/10/4 on 52 percent. Those numbers are incredible to maintain over that time-span.

They are incredible, and he's recognised as a top twenty player ever because of it, but he doesn't get top ten consideration because he didn't impress nearly as much in the Playoffs.

85-02 Hakeem played 145 Playoff games
86-03 Malone played 175

25.9/11.2/3.2/1.7/3.3 for Hakeem
26.3/10.9/3.1/1.4/0.8 for Malone

The difference is, Hakeem did that while playing astronomically better defense and his scoring much more efficiently, unlike Malone even though he had the second greatest passer ever his entire career.

It might not seem a lot, but that's the difference between a top ten player ever and a top twenty player.

[feyki]

People really don't appreciate the consistency of high-level play that Karl maintained from the moment he stepped onto the hardwood until the day he retired.

Most important thing is prime. How was good players in their primes? And after that , How long their primes?

Stockton has best longevity in playmakers at nba history. But he isn't better than Walt Frazier or Isiah Thomas.

[Genaro]

Everyone in the top 10 has at least 2 titles. Malone doesn'1t get in the top 10 with only one.