This came up in the Rocky thread, thought it deserved its own thread.

Isiah vs. Iverson is an interesting discussion.

Found this http://www.landofbasketball.com/player_ ... thomas.htm

Iverson was clearly a much better scorer. Isiah was a much better passer. Rebounds are about equal.

I think Isiah would usually be considered a better defender, but I think Iverson's defense is underrated.

Iverson was the scrappiest player I have ever witnessed. He was fearless.

I am going with Iverson

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Thomas all the way.

He could've easily scored more points if that was his goal.

And that's not to knock Iverson, though I'm going to go ahead and knock him in the regard that at times, his shot selection and stubbornness to continue to drive to the hole came at a cost to the rest of team.

There is a great documentary on Netflix about Iverson. Would recommend it to all basketball fans

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

They're totally different types of players. There are plenty of guys similar to Isiah, obviously most of them not as good. Iverson is a one of a kind type guy. Rose was probably the closest thing, but he's bigger and even so, he couldn't last flying around like that.

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Ecclesiastes 5:8

I wouldn't put AI in the "clearly better scorer" category so fast. In his first few seasons, Isiah could and did fill it up with regularity. It was an odd show. Isiah & Kelly Tripucka battling for shots

As for fearless, iirc, Isiah still came to the hole, even after Malone broke his face.

But, I would have paid to watch AI before Isiah though. I'm a sucker for the clowning guys factor.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

You don't think Thomas could've put up bigger offensive numbers if he wanted to? I think he could've lived at the free throw line.

Iverson was a more determined scorer, Stockton was a better PG but I think Thomas bests them both as an overall player.

Well of course we could argue would of and could of all day long, my statement about Iverson being clearly the better scorer is based on the stats. And those say he was clearly better. Even in his first few seasons Isiah did not average more than Iverson.

Both were great players. No doubt Isiah was on better teams.

But I don't think you could put Isiah on the 2000 76ers and have him almost carry them to a title in the way that Iverson did.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Never really saw Isiah but I think I'd still take Iverson if I had. That game 1 against LA was something. Him stepping over Lue is just classic.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Thomas was a leader in a way that didn't show up in the box score. He was the kind of guy who would be 1-12 going into the fourth quarter and when the game was on the line he shot 7 of 8. But the way Iverson played for a guy of his size and stature, you just don't see that and if a guy does it, he's not going to last.

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Ecclesiastes 5:8

RFDC + Hockey Gay = Match!

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Definitely not. But at the same time, I don't think you could have put AI on the Bad Boy Pistons without trouble. Dantley/Aguirre wouldn't have stood for zero shots, and I don't think Laimbeer or Dumars could've taken over a leadership role. AI definitely couldn't have.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

And Thomas might have another title to his credit if he didn't almost break his ankle in the Finals against the Lakers.

I love AI. I hate Thomas.

But Thomas was the better player.

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You know me like that.

Isaiah Thomas. Isaiah sacrificed in order to win games. He had a better handle, was a better passer and defender. Isaiah was capable of beating you in so many ways. The other thing about Isaiah was that he was able to transform his game in order to suit the personnel. His I.Q. was better and he was far less selfish.

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Dantley really didn't. That's why they got Aguirre. But it's a good point that Thomas was the kind of leader who could get Aguirre to subordinate himself on behalf of the team even though he could have probably led the league in scoring any time he wanted to.

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Ecclesiastes 5:8

Even if Rose doesn't blow out his knee, how long could've he have played that way? Three, maybe four more years?

He'll probably never accept it, but at this point he should try and model his game after Andre Miller.

West Side Tough Baby!

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I was amused watching Aguirre even stumble across half court and play a tiny bit of defense on that team.

In summer league games I don't think he ever moved off of 2-3 spots. Someone cracked him it for @DeLaSalle one summer, he responded with a bank account joke and everyone went home laughing.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

It's not often that I agree with you, but I completely agree with you here. Pound for pound AI is the greatest scorer every. He just didn't have enough to win the big one.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

And the Milwaukee Bucks of the late 80's - early 90's had the market cornered on tall white guys.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Let's pump the brakes on that line of thinking.

I think they would have adjusted because they could see how his talent would help them win. Similar to how guys adjusted with MJ and Kobe.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I forgive you. You aren't old enough to have seen David Thompson or the Iceman in their primes.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

There is no way Allen Iverson could have checked Isaiah Thomas. In terms of heart I've never seen many with more heart than Isaiah.

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I didn't but I doubt I would change my opinion. AI was 6 foot nothing and about 160 pounds.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Thomas had a force of will that included/drove his team. AI's force was to shoot first, shoot often and shoot last. I love AI, but I just don't think he was capable to fit in that system, especially in that era of basketball.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Bernard King had no knees.

Like Kobe and MJ, I think AI just wanted to win. He did what he thought would help his team win.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!