The first player that comes to mind is Reggie Miller. You look at this guy, and you think, there is no way that he should be playing professional basketball. He's so skinny, isn't fast or quick, not very tall, not an excellent ball handler, nothing that makes some stars superstars. But this guy in my mind will go down as one of the greatest players to play the game. He couldn't beat you off the dribble, wasn't going to power past you and posterize you, or mesmerize you off the dribble with a pull up j. But what he lacked in physical attributes he more than made up with court awareness and the mental aspect of the game. One of the best pure shooters in the game.
Can't forget the Celtic great, Mr Clutch, maybe the most competive player in the game besides Michael Jordan, Larry Bird. In a game that was being dominated by quicker and stronger players, he refused to be outclassed. He outplayed you because he wanted it more.
Pierce is an anomaly because he looks slow, out of shape, but plays as hard as any guy out on the floor. And is as much as a banger and physical than the bigger glass men that play today. Maybe that layer of blubber absorbs some of those bumps and bruises.
what about Bill Laimbeer? He won champoinships with his outside shot and was an effective (and pesky) defender and rebounder. Maybe not a great player, but I would put him near the level of reggie overall.
Bill Laimbeer and Reggie Miller? Nah, Laimbeer was more an enforcer and integral piece. Miller was the franchise and carried Indiana to the Finals and during those rebuilding years dragged those baby boomers kicking and screaming into the playoffs.
In the first post, you mention that Reggie Miller wasn't very tall. When Miller entered the NBA, 6'7" was pretty darn tall for a shooting guard. It's still pretty tall.
lb and lambeer are both good picks. reggie was quick but not explosive. along the pacer's family i'd also say chuck "rifleman" person. he was nowhere near great, but he was also nowhere near athletic. magic had great strength and coordination, but for an nba player his speed and leaping ability were unimpressive. cassell is relatively plodding and earthbound for a high scoring point guard. oh yeah, and r32soul is right. mullin deserves the mvp for non-athletes. you never saw a slower player score that many points.
Players that weren't ATHLETIC but still great?
