In December 2011, Slam Magazine released a Special Collector's Issue: NBA Battles:
It featured the Greatest Matchups You've Ever Dreamed Of!
Here are the matchups:
Magic Johnson vs LeBron James
Isiah Thomas vs Chris Paul
Kareem Abdul Jabbar vs Hakeem Olajuwon
Larry Bird vs Dirk Nowitzki
Elgin Baylor vs Julius Erving
Patrick Ewing vs Yao Ming
Wilt Chamberlain vs Shaq O'Neal
John Stockton vs Deron Williams
Oscar Robertson vs Jason Kidd
Bill Russell vs Dwight Howard
Karl Malone vs Amar'e Stoudemire
Jerry West vs Dwyane Wade
Allen Iverson vs Derrick Rose
Scottie Pippen vs Kevin Durant
Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant
What a great bunch of matchups!
Here's my evaluation:
Magic Johnson vs LeBron James - LeBron will eventuallly reach Magic's status but Magic has the experience, versatility and mental toughness to lead his team to victory.
Isiah Thomas vs Chris Paul - CP3 will go down as one of the best point guards ever but Isiah and his ability to lead a rugged team to back to back championship is incredible.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar vs Hakeem Olajuwon - Dream had the Shake (not the Harlem Shake) but The Captain had the most unstoppable shot in basketball.
Larry Bird vs Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk would hold his own but Larry would drop 25 points, 10 boards and 8 dimes on him, talk trash and mention how overrated German girls are.
Elgin Baylor vs Julius Erving - I never really studied the two but I would say a tie.
Patrick Ewing vs Yao Ming - You can say I'm being biased because my favourite player of all time is Ewing but objectively speaking, Ewing not only had a variety of post moves on the offensive end but defensively he was up there with the Dream, Robinson and Mourning.
Wilt Chamberlain vs Shaq O'Neal - Wilt may have dominated the league like no other but Shaq knew how to get his team mates involved. Shaq is my choice.
John Stockton vs Deron Williams - Hands down it's Stockton. Slam Magazine should had match Stockton vs Nash.
Oscar Robertson vs Jason Kidd - Battle of the big point guards. Big O = Triple Double ... Wow ... I'd say ... Big O but I never saw him play so my heart says J-Kidd but my head says Big O.
Bill Russell vs Dwight Howard - The greatest defender of all time over this generation's best defender.
Karl Malone vs Amar'e Stoudemire - The Mailman always delivers and after Duncan and Barkely, The Mailman is my choice as the 3rd greatest power forward ever.
Jerry West vs Dwyane Wade - I think D-Wade's athleticism would be the edge here.
Allen Iverson vs Derrick Rose - D-Rose's ability to get his team mates involved is the reason why I would choose him as the victor in this matchup.
Scottie Pippen vs Kevin Durant - Durant will suprass Pippen but right now, Pippen's versatility on BOTH ends of the floor is why I would give him the nod.
Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant - I wonder who's going to win.
It featured the Greatest Matchups You've Ever Dreamed Of!
Here are the matchups:
Magic Johnson vs LeBron James
Isiah Thomas vs Chris Paul
Kareem Abdul Jabbar vs Hakeem Olajuwon
Larry Bird vs Dirk Nowitzki
Elgin Baylor vs Julius Erving
Patrick Ewing vs Yao Ming
Wilt Chamberlain vs Shaq O'Neal
John Stockton vs Deron Williams
Oscar Robertson vs Jason Kidd
Bill Russell vs Dwight Howard
Karl Malone vs Amar'e Stoudemire
Jerry West vs Dwyane Wade
Allen Iverson vs Derrick Rose
Scottie Pippen vs Kevin Durant
Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant
What a great bunch of matchups!
Here's my evaluation:
Magic Johnson vs LeBron James - LeBron will eventuallly reach Magic's status but Magic has the experience, versatility and mental toughness to lead his team to victory.
Isiah Thomas vs Chris Paul - CP3 will go down as one of the best point guards ever but Isiah and his ability to lead a rugged team to back to back championship is incredible.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar vs Hakeem Olajuwon - Dream had the Shake (not the Harlem Shake) but The Captain had the most unstoppable shot in basketball.
Larry Bird vs Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk would hold his own but Larry would drop 25 points, 10 boards and 8 dimes on him, talk trash and mention how overrated German girls are.
Elgin Baylor vs Julius Erving - I never really studied the two but I would say a tie.
Patrick Ewing vs Yao Ming - You can say I'm being biased because my favourite player of all time is Ewing but objectively speaking, Ewing not only had a variety of post moves on the offensive end but defensively he was up there with the Dream, Robinson and Mourning.
Wilt Chamberlain vs Shaq O'Neal - Wilt may have dominated the league like no other but Shaq knew how to get his team mates involved. Shaq is my choice.
John Stockton vs Deron Williams - Hands down it's Stockton. Slam Magazine should had match Stockton vs Nash.
Oscar Robertson vs Jason Kidd - Battle of the big point guards. Big O = Triple Double ... Wow ... I'd say ... Big O but I never saw him play so my heart says J-Kidd but my head says Big O.
Bill Russell vs Dwight Howard - The greatest defender of all time over this generation's best defender.
Karl Malone vs Amar'e Stoudemire - The Mailman always delivers and after Duncan and Barkely, The Mailman is my choice as the 3rd greatest power forward ever.
Jerry West vs Dwyane Wade - I think D-Wade's athleticism would be the edge here.
Allen Iverson vs Derrick Rose - D-Rose's ability to get his team mates involved is the reason why I would choose him as the victor in this matchup.
Scottie Pippen vs Kevin Durant - Durant will suprass Pippen but right now, Pippen's versatility on BOTH ends of the floor is why I would give him the nod.
Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant - I wonder who's going to win.