Star match-ups (by position) the league just missed out on.

[L.Kizzle]

What are some superstar match-ups that we just missed by a few months? Players have to retire the same year the other was drafted (or in the case of David Robinson) played their first game. So Wilt vs. Walton wont work. Wilt was out of the league a whole season before Walton entered the league.



George Mikan vs. Bill Russell: Mikan retires in 56 and Russell is drafted that season.

Maurice Stokes vs. Elgin Baylor: 1958 They're obviously peers. Russell had Wilt, West had Oscar, these guys were supposed to have each other.

Bill Russell vs. Lew Alcindor: 1969 Just like Russell just missed Mikan, Alcindor just missed Russell.

Connie Hawkins vs. Julius Erving: 1976 They faced off against each other on Harlem playgrounds just no in the NBA.

Elvin Hayes vs. Charles Barkley: 1984 The new age PF taking over.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. David Robinson: 1989 They would have battled had David come out his draft year of 1987.

Kevin McHale vs. Chris Webber: 1993 Who wins this battler?

Isiah Thomas vs. Jason Kidd: 1994 The changing of the guard.

James Worthy vs. Grant Hill: 1994 Would be fun to watch.

Moses Malone vs. Kevin Garnett: 1995 High School Battle.

Clyde Drexler vs. Vince Carter: 1998 The new wave of a high flyer.

Hakeem Olajuwon vs. Yao Ming: 2002 New Houston vs. Old Houston.

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: 2003 What needs to be said.

[L.Kizzle]

Dennis Johnson vs. Gary Payton: 2 Sonic backcourt stars.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

In many of those cases, wouldn't the younger player outplay their matchup? There's a reason why the older guys retired that season and most of the younger guys you mentioned were instant impact from their rookie year. Except maybe KG and Kidd, I guess.