Why do we toss around the word Superstar in NBA?

[Archangel]

I'm sorry dirk is a super star


Do u consider kg and Duncan superstars?

In their primes, without question.

 

[Draje]

I'm just very strict on my criteria. For me, being a superstar can embody a lot of things on and off the court. My top 10 in order is MJ, Magic, Tim Duncan, Shaq, Bird, Kobe, LBJ, Hakeem, Kareem & Wilt.

Magic impacted the game in more ways than scoring, as did Big O. I said in my book to be a superstar, I expect impact in more than one area. Profound impact. Never considered Dirk a superstar. Just an Allstar. The only true superstar I recognize today man really is LBJ. But next runner up is cats like KD, Russ, AD etc. I think superstar should equate to "you can't remove his impact on a game". Like I said earlier, if you body KD and get in his grill with that Tony Allen, Kawhi D, dude can be very ineffective.

That's stupid. KD is a very good passer who's playmaking and defense has improved tremendously to the point that he's able to run a great offense even when he's not scoring.

I love Paul George and Butler but then being slightly more well-rounded than Durant doesn't make them closer to superstars than Durant.

Durant literally had a GOAT-tier scoring season and an MJ-tier MVP run but he's not a superstar? He's probably the most naturally gifted scorer the world has ever seen since MJ (And he might be more gifted) but you wouldn't call him a superstar?

Dwight Howard anchored a goddamn elite defense with a team that started Hedo Turk and Rashard Lewis while being one of the best rebounders in the league (If not the best) while averaging 20 PPG on sky high efficiency and that's not "well-rounded" enough for you? Are you fukking high?

 

[Archangel]

That's stupid. KD is a very good passer who's playmaking and defense has improved tremendously to the point that he's able to run a great offense even when he's not scoring.

I love Paul George and Butler but then being slightly more well-rounded than Durant doesn't make them closer to superstars than Durant.

Durant literally had a GOAT-tier scoring season and an MJ-tier MVP run but he's not a superstar? He's probably the most naturally gifted scorer the world has ever seen since MJ (And he might be more gifted) but you wouldn't call him a superstar?

Dwight Howard anchored a goddamn elite defense with a team that started Hedo Turk and Rashard Lewis while being one of the best rebounders in the league (If not the best) while averaging 20 PPG on sky high efficiency and that's not "well-rounded" enough for you? Are you fukking high?

"KD is a very good passer who's playmaking and defense has improved tremendously" - Never said he wasn't. Doesn't really impact the game heavily with playmaking/defense. When I gameplan for KD, we not worrying bout dudes playmaking/defense homie. Remove his scoring, his impact diminishes.


"Dwight Howard anchored a goddamn elite defense with a team that started Hedo Turk and Rashard Lewis while being one of the best rebounders in the league (If not the best) while averaging 20 PPG on sky high efficiency and that's not "well-rounded" enough for you?" - Inflated numbers in an extremely weak Eastern conference. Never questioned D12s rebounding/defensive ability. If you only scored on put backs and alley oops, you'd score with high efficiency as well.

"I love Paul George and Butler but then being slightly more well-rounded than Durant doesn't make them closer to superstars than Durant." - Never said that nor did I even mention them. Their expectations aren't as high as an athletically gifted and freakish player like KD. But I see your point nonetheless.

 

[Consumed]

I'm just very strict on my criteria. For me, being a superstar can embody a lot of things on and off the court. My top 10 in order is MJ, Magic, Tim Duncan, Shaq, Bird, Kobe, LBJ, Hakeem, Kareem & Wilt.

Magic impacted the game in more ways than scoring, as did Big O. I said in my book to be a superstar, I expect impact in more than one area. Profound impact. Never considered Dirk a superstar. Just an Allstar. The only true superstar I recognize today man really is LBJ. But next runner up is cats like KD, Russ, AD etc. I think superstar should equate to "you can't remove his impact on a game". Like I said earlier, if you body KD and get in his grill with that Tony Allen, Kawhi D, dude can be very ineffective.

Durant impacts the game in more ways than scoring too though. His pocket passes to Ibaka in the P&R & dribble drive kickouts to open shooters helped facilitate the OKC offense without probably the best penetrator the game has to offer in Russell Westbrook. Defensively his length plays right into OKC's aggressive help & recover scheme and his size allows him to play the four when OKC wants to go small which was a highly successful lineup for them. He fulfills a ton of roles on both ends of the court and his impact on the game is definitely irreplaceable. Thunder going from number two seed in the West to out of the playoffs entirely has something to do with his impact I'd think. Thats not the influence of just an all star, his impact on a basketball game is undeniably enormous. He might have his flaws like any other player to have played this game but that doesn't mean he doesn't have profound impact, in fact its just ignorance to say that he doesn't carry that

I don't think we'll ever be able to come to an understanding here with the Dirk is just an all star thing. He is the definition of versatility when will we ever get a big man thats the best post player and perimeter shooter on the floor at the same time. A seven footer that in his younger days could handle the ball in transition & go coast to coast like when he dominated KG's wolves in 2002

Man has been the centerpiece of a franchise that won no less than fifty games for a decade regardless of who has surrounded him on the floor. You couldn't have possibly watched his play all of these years and think that was your standard all star player. Thats just not having a proper appreciation for the game man, there's so many players right now that you're selling short and not giving proper credit to. Im just guessing Moses Malone is another one since he's less versatile than Nowitzki. Can already guess how you view Steve Nash

I don't know how Kobe could be in your top ten, ahead of LeBron James of all people, given your criteria here. He was not a great defender during his peak seasons. How can you criticize KD's defense and not Kobe's. The bulk of his value as a player came from his abilities as a transcendent scorer which far surpassed anything else he did on a basketball court. Why is he not just an all star and why is he better than LeBron & Hakeem?

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

Negged and reported. I see we met our WOAT thread contender today. @cook its time to throw this in the bushes

 

[Archangel]

Durant impacts the game in more ways than scoring too though. His pocket passes to Ibaka in the P&R & dribble drive kickouts to open shooters helped facilitate the OKC offense without probably the best penetrator the game has to offer in Russell Westbrook. Defensively his length plays right into OKC's aggressive help & recover scheme and his size allows him to play the four when OKC wants to go small which was a highly successful lineup for them. He fulfills a ton of roles on both ends of the court and his impact on the game is definitely irreplaceable. Thunder going from number two seed in the West to out of the playoffs entirely has something to do with his impact I'd think. Thats not the influence of just an all star, his impact on a basketball game is undeniably enormous. He might have his flaws like any other player to have played this game but that doesn't mean he doesn't have profound impact, in fact its just ignorance to say that he doesn't carry that

I don't think we'll ever be able to come to an understanding here with the Dirk is just an all star thing. He is the definition of versatility when will we ever get a big man thats the best post player and perimeter shooter on the floor at the same time. A seven footer that in his younger days could handle the ball in transition & go coast to coast like when he dominated KG's wolves in 2002

Man has been the centerpiece of a franchise that won no less than fifty games for a decade regardless of who has surrounded him on the floor. You couldn't have possibly watched his play all of these years and think that was your standard all star player. Thats just not having a proper appreciation for the game man, there's so many players right now that you're selling short and not giving proper credit to. Im just guessing Moses Malone is another one since he's less versatile than Nowitzki. Can already guess how you view Steve Nash

I don't know how Kobe could be in your top ten, ahead of LeBron James of all people, given your criteria here. He was not a great defender during his peak seasons. How can you criticize KD's defense and not Kobe's. The bulk of his value as a player came from his abilities as a transcendent scorer which far surpassed anything else he did on a basketball court. Why is he not just an all star and why is he better than LeBron & Hakeem?

I got Kobe ahead of LBJ and Hakeem in large part because of rings. I'm not a big Kobe fan, but the intangibles will always put him ahead of LB for now. If LB keep stacking rings, he'll definitely move up. He has a lot more basketball to play and things to prove vs someone whose career and legacy is defined and complete.

Thing about Kobe v Durant, I've seen Kobe take over games more times than I can count without scoring. I know its his biggest strength, but Kobe is more versatile than given credit for. His 12x all defensive teams have plenty of merit in this argument. KD is still young, and I'm not saying he won't get there, I just don't see it right now.