So, you're asking who got snubbed from the NBA 75 Greatest Players list. It's a hot topic among basketball enthusiasts, and opinions fly left and right. Let's dive into it.
First off, one name that constantly pops up is Dwight Howard. If you look at the stats, he has averaged 16.2 points and 12.1 rebounds per game over his career. Not to mention, he's an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Those are incredible numbers, yet he didn't make the cut. People wonder how someone with such dominance, especially during the late 2000s, gets overlooked.
Another major snub has to be Klay Thompson. I mean, the guy is widely recognized as one of the best shooters in NBA history. Remember that game in 2016 where he dropped 37 points in a single quarter? That's not something you see every day. Klay has three NBA championships and five All-Star appearances. Yet, somehow, he ends up on the outside looking in.
Tracy McGrady also made waves for being left out. T-Mac was a scoring machine, averaging 19.6 points per game over his career, including two scoring titles. This Hall of Famer has been an inspiration for many young players. So it’s baffling why he didn't make the list when players like Carmelo Anthony, who has similar stats, did.
Speaking of scoring, what about Vince Carter? Vinsanity captivated audiences for over two decades. He's the only player in NBA history to play in four different decades. His longevity and consistent performance, averaging 16.7 points per game over a 22-year career, make it hard to justify his absence.
Then you have Pau Gasol, whose versatility on both ends of the court was crucial for the Lakers during their 2009 and 2010 championship runs. He averaged 17 points and 9.2 rebounds per game over his career. It appears that contributions to championship teams don’t weigh as heavily as pure individual stats sometimes, which could explain his omission.
Chris Bosh also falls into a similar category. As a key member of the Miami Heat’s "Big Three" alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Bosh helped secure two NBA titles. His averages of 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over his career are nothing to sneeze at either. His early retirement due to health issues may have played a role in him being overlooked.
A more recent player that was snubbed is Kyrie Irving. This guy has handles for days and hit one of the most clutch shots in NBA Finals history to help the Cavs win a title in 2016. With an average of 22.8 points and 5.7 assists per game, how does he not make it? Critics point to his off-the-court controversies, but his on-court talent seems deserving of the honor.
And then there’s Tony Parker. He’s a six-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, and a Finals MVP. Averaging 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game over his career, Parker was integral to the San Antonio Spurs’ dominance. Maybe it's the overshadowing presence of Tim Duncan that kept him off, but it's still a noteworthy exclusion.
If you look at someone like Dikembe Mutombo, it’s hard to understand why he isn’t on the list either. With 8 All-Star appearances and 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards, his defensive prowess was unparalleled. He averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, contributing significantly on the defensive end.
Another glaring omission is Grant Hill. Injuries plagued his career, but when healthy, he was a force to be reckoned with. Averaging 16.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, his versatility and impact on the game were tremendous. Some argue his what-could-have-been career trajectory is why he was left out, but his impact can't be denied.
Finally, there's an interesting case for Bernard King. Despite never winning a championship, King’s scoring ability was off the charts. He averaged 22.5 points per game over his career and put up some jaw-dropping performances, like his 60-point explosion on Christmas Day in 1984.
nba 75 undoubtedly celebrates basketball's elite, but there are so many incredible talents left out that it begs the question: what criteria were they using? It’s an inexact science, but it’s hard to ignore the contributions of players like Howard, McGrady, and Thompson. Their careers are decorated with stats, awards, and unforgettable moments that have left indelible marks on the game.