With all this talk about LeBron "needing to win a title" to cement his legacy, it got me to thinking about all the great players who have never won one. Here's a short list of recent NBA greats off the top of my head:
Karl Malone - All you hear about is how The Mailman "couldn't deliver a title." In fact, Malone is largely forgotten by anybody under 30 today.
Charles Barkley - Sir Charles is constantly being badgered by the guys on-set at TNT for never winning a title.
Patrick Ewing - Again, his career is mostly defined by the fact that he couldn't bring a championship to New York.
Dominique Wilkens - We look back upon The "Human Highlight Film" and his career as mostly all glitz without substance. Why? No title.
John Stockton - See Karl Malone.
Tracy McGrady - Anytime you hear a talking head babbling about T-Mac, it's always the same thing - he can't get his team a title.
All of which leads me to this - why does Jason Kidd get a free pass? He's been in the NBA since 1994 and has been to the finals twice, where he was swept once and went out in 6 the other time. He's played for 4-teams during that span. He's a career 39% shooter in the playoffs. Sure, he's had success in the olympics, but so did Malone, Stockton, Barkley, and Ewing. In addition, it's not like he's been free of some of the things we crucify others for. In 2001 he was arrested and pled guilty to spousal abuse, something that McGrady has never been accused of. Still, when describing Kidd, all you hear are phrases like "unselfish player"and "team leader" ad nauseum. It's not like he has some great personality, which is one reason Barkley gets by with so much. I'm befuddled, flummoxed and confused. My head hurts.
And so I ask - why does Jason Kidd get a free pass?
Good point about Kidd. Never thought of that before.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that the reason is that he is a very good player but not an all-time great like the ones you listed. Take the other point guard you listed, John Stockton. If I had to assemble a team to play a decisive game 7 I don't think I would hesitate to start Stockton over Kidd. And yet Stockton never won a championship. Unlike the "all-time greats" you listed here, there are A LOT of "very good" players without championships and I would include Kidd with that group.
ReplyDeleteI want to hear your opinion after tonight!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Kidd? WHAT DID YOU SAY????
ReplyDelete