Iverson vs. Nowitzki

Allen Iverson vs. Dirk Nowitzki

Allen “The Answer” Iverson is highly regarded as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game of basketball. Listed at only 6’0 and 165 pounds when he first debut in the NBA, Iverson was deemed by most to be too small to play in the NBA. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html) Despite this, Iverson was still a dominant offense force and specialized in ankle breaking crossovers and a style of basketball that was never fully seen before. Iverson used this and roaring voices of the Philadelphia 76ers fans to will his team to the NBA Finals, where he ended the undefeated playoff winning streak of Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals, but lost the series in five games. Iverson is a former MVP, Rookie of the Year, 11x All star and has career averages of 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game on 42.5% from the field and 31.3% from behind the three-point-arc. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html)

Allen Iverson attempting his signature crossover on Michael Jordan.

(http://www.si.com/nba/2015/09/07/allen-iverson-michael-jordan-kyrie-irving-stephen-curry-most-iconic-crossovers-nba)

Enter Dirk Nowitzki, who in my opinion, is the most underrated player in the history of the NBA. Nowitzki is a 7’0, 245 pound power forward who hails from Germany and unlike most big men in this era, Dirk is a flat out shooter. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html) Nowitzki has the shooting ability of a guard in the body of a center and as a result the Dallas Mavericks court spacing was magnificent through the mid and late 2000s. Not only is Dirk, a great player,  but he had one of the most iconic moves in NBA history with his patented one foot fadeaway. What made this move nearly unstoppable was that dirk was fading away on one leg at 7’0 feet tall, making his shot nearly impossible to contest, let alone block it. Over Nowitzki’s career, he has put up point totals of 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists on 47.3% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the three-point arc. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html)

Now for the moment of truth. In my opinion Dirk Nowitzki is better, especially when you compare both players best seasons. In Iverson’s MVP season, he averaged 31 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds on 42% from the field and 32% from the three-point line, while in Dirk’s MVP season, he averaged 24.2 points 8.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.(http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html) What  differentiates Dirk from Iverson, is that he averaged a 50/40/90 season (Shooting 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line) a feat only 6 others have accomplished.(http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html) Iverson was also known to be a terrible teammate, a quality

Dirk has been praised for along with his immense basketball IQ. in my opinion, Dirk is not just a better teammate but also a better playmaker and overall player.











Dirk shooting his signature one-legged fadeaway jump shot.

(http://houseofhouston.com/2014/07/10/report-houston-rockets-offered-dirk-nowitzki-max-contract/0)

Carter vs. Pierce

Vince Carter vs. Paul Pierce 

At 6’6 and 220lb, Vince Carter is known as one of the most exciting and high flying dunkers of all time. His vertical leap and three-point shooting ability is a rare combo not often scene in his era. Carter brought the game of basketball to Toronto and Canada like no one else before. Over the course of his career, Carter had many of his dunks celebrated, including the honey dip dunk, which he made famous at the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest. Carter also posterized many players, including Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Duncan and Shawn Bradley. Over the course of his career, Carter averaged 18.5 points. 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and shot 43.8% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point line. He also an eight-time All-Star and won Rookie of the Year. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartevi01.html)


Vince Carter performing his signature honey-dip dunk.
(http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/the-oral-history-of-vince-carters-dunk-contest-win/)

At 6’7 and 235lb, Paul “The Truth” Pierce is known as one of the NBA’s most clutch and consistent players. Pierce is undisputedly the best Celtics player since Larry Bird his jump shooting ability is one of the best in the league and this is shown through his “old man game” which is just a play style of slow pacing post up plays and fancy footwork. Pierce also has a vast knowledge of the game allowing him to be a master of mind games and trash talk a center part of the 2008 NBA Championship winning Celtics play style. Over his career, Pierce has put up stellar numbers of 19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 44.5% from the field and 36.9% from behind the three-point arc. Pierce is also 10x All-Star, he won an NBA Championship with the Celtics in 2008 and was the named the Finals MVP of that playoffs.(http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/piercpa01.html)

Truth be told, Pierce isn’t just the better player, but the better teammate, not only was Carter’s play way less efficient but it was also self-destructive. In the 2004-05 season, Carter had a physical altercation with his coach Sam Mitchell. While Pierce, on the other hand, has a great relationship with his former head coach in Boston, Doc Rivers. Though Carter has had a more flashy and bombastic career, Pierce has had a more stable and consistent career and is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer.





Paul Pierce holding his 2008 NBA Finals MVP Award.
(http://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/paul-pierce-bostons-forever-truth)

Kemp vs. Richmond

Shawn Kemp vs. Mitch Richmond

Shawn “The Reign Man” Kemp was one of the most one of the most electrifying dunkers of all time. Listed at 6’10 and 230 lbs, Kemp was an extremely athletic his size and position made him famous. Kemp also had a 41-inch vertical leap. To put that in perspective, the average person has a vertical leap of 16-20 inches, but he manages to jump twice as high as the average person and his speed and athleticism help made him an offensive force. In his best season putting up 19.6 points, 11.4 rebounds  2.2 assists on a great 56%, he is a 6x all-star and rightfully so. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kempsh01.html)

Shawn Kemp throwing down his signature dunk 

(http://niketalk.com/g/i/802367/kemp-jordan-dunk-jpg/)

Mitch “The Rock” Richmond was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1988 and was named 1989 Rookie of the Year. Richmond was a pivotal part of the high-temp play of the “ Run TMC’s “ Warriors team of the late 80s and early nineties. Michael Jordan, often referred to as the greatest player in NBA history, declared Richmond “as the toughest shooting guard to defend.”  (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2014/04/08/former-wizard-mitch-richmond-elected-to-basketball-hall-of-fame/?utm_term=.97c64c066e89)

Mitch Richmond being awarded the 1995 NBA All-Star Game MVP.

(http://ca.complex.com/sports/2012/11/the-25-best-nba-players-of-the-90s/1990s-19)

Richmond was known for for out muscling his opponents and all-around scoring ability but was also a solid defender. He is a 6x All-Star, 1995 All-Star Game MVP, and Rookie of the Year. In his best season, Richmond but up 22.5 points, 4.rebounds, 5.1 asissts, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks per game, while shooting 46%. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/richmmi01.html)

Now to compare the players, although Kemp's play style was more flashy and entertainment.it was far less consistent and efficient than Richmond. In Kemp's best season he still averaged 4 turnovers per game and only 2.2 assists, his assists to turnover ration 4:1.8 which is horrific. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kempsh01.html) 

Mitch Richmond's most impressive quality was his consistency. Over Richmond's most impressive 7 seasons in  Sacramento, he averaged at least 21 points while Kemp could barely stay in shape after the 1997-1998 season, thus making him the better player (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/richmmi01.html)

Erving vs. Dantley

Julius Erving vs. Adrian Dantley

'Dr.J'

Julius Erving is an idolized figure in the basketball world, as one of the greatest small forwards of all time. Dr. J, as he was most commonly known in his playing days, revolutionized the dunk and contributed to NBA history with high flying acrobatic layups. Adrian Dantley, the lesser known star of the Erving’s 1980s era, is considered to be one of the best scorers of all-time.

Erving has career statistical averages of 24.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html)

He also has a great list of accomplishments having been awarded the MVP in 1981, he’s also an 11x All-Star, NBA Hall of Famer and is credited with creation of trick shots and poster dunk.(http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html)

Erving performing his signature dunk on Larry Bird. (http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/dr-j-larry-bird/)

Erving’s spectacular abilities created a lore that is often discussed by basketball fans today. Within this lore the players of his era are overshadowed by Erving’s iconic plays, players including drain Dantley. 

Erving performing his signature dunk on Larry Bird. (http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/dr-j-larry-bird/)

Enter: Adrian Dantley  

Dantley the lesser known of the pair, was a player who could work in any system of play. His statistical career averages are 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1 steal and 0.2 blocks per game. Dantley’s stats paints the picture of a great scorer. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html) Dantley was a six-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year and like Erving, is also an NBA Hall of Famer. 

Dantley driving to the hoop (http://clutchpoints.com/adrian-dantley-spends-retirement-being-a-referee/

The Matchup

While the lore around Erving’s name suggest him as a man, the myth and the legend, the stats show differently. Here are their two best statistical seasons. 

Erving — 26.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and 51 field goal percentage. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dantlad01.html)

Not that bad right, but what about Dantley. 

Dantley — 30.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.2 blocks and 55 field goal percentage. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ervinju01.html)

The Result

Dantley’s efficiency, even while scoring more points, brings him over the top as the better offensive player, a statistical category Dr. J specialized in. In conclusion, don’t always believe the hype around players.