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Show notes:
NBA's Top 75 list, the last 26 players (00:35)
The NBA took the top 50 & added 26 players (with a tie between 2 players) which makes up the top 75
So therefore we won't have the luxury of removing the likes of a Bill Walton, Paul Arizin or Dolph Schayes for example
The NBA's thinking: if they're on the original top 50 they'll remain on the list
So we will talk about those last 26 players who made the list
Starting off with the NBA righting a wrong from the previous top 50 by adding Dominique Wilkins & Bob McAdoo to the top 75
As for those remaining 24 players we'll highlight a few guys from the list
No-brainers: the late great Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook & Gary Payton
So let's discuss the other guys on this list:
Ray Allen. part of that great 1996 draft class, started with MIL, SEA, BOS as part of the Big 3 with Garnett & Paul Pierce, & then with MIA winning 2 titles in his career
Allen, coming out of UConn (not Duke), still stands as the all time leader in 3 point goals made
Allen therefore belongs on the list
Giannis Antetokounmpo from MIL is the youngest players on the list & yet one of the most accomplished players nonetheless
Carmelo Anthony, the scoring extraordinaire from the great 2003 draft, by my estimation I guess he should be on the list
Excuse my omission, but Steph Curry is a no-brainer that should be on the list given his accolades
Anthony Davis is an interesting case study in terms of guys on the list: not all that accomplished while with NOP but yet thanks to him being a Laker & winning a title I think that pushes him over the edge to make the list
James Harden is someone, based on the numbers & accomplishments, who should make it onto the list
Kawhi Leonard is another person who certainly has the credentials, which includes 2 titles & 2 Finals MVPs in his coffers, for making this list despite his balky knees
The choice of Damian Lillard is the stunner for me; not much on the resume especially in terms of postseason success
Another stunner: Reggie Miller; he's all over the TV now with TNT & NBA TV, but he was never a regular season stalwart (18 seasons with only 5 All Star appearances & only 3 time ALL-NBA)
Miller did most of his damage in postseason but not to the tune of winning a title so yes he comes up short in my estimation of being worthy of having a place on this list
Steve Nash, another player from that awesome 1996 draft class, also was in the league for 18 seasons but was way more accomplished than the aforementioned Miller & is more deserving of making the list
Folks like to throw shade at Nash for winning the MVP in 2004-05 narrowly beating out Shaquille O'Neal, but he came back that following year to win it again
Paul Pierce, a player I have no love for, got his championship thanks to the arrival of Garnett & Allen to BOS; I will say him winning the Finals MVP probably places him on this list
Dennis Rodman is being debated in terms of him deserving to be on the list
Rodman was a rebounding extraordinaire (led the league 7 times) given his size & a defensive stalwart (8 times All-Defense) who I feel has a rightful place on this list
So in conclusion, my 2 definite questionable additions are Damian Lillard & Reggie Miller while my 2 that we can debate about is Paul Pierce & Anthony Davis
