WHO IS THE NBA MVP FRONT RUNNER?

I turned on the NBA channel and the first thing that I saw was " Is Jason Tatum the most complete player in the game offensively?" ESPN analyst Greg Anthony immediately agreed. Granted, Tatum had just dropped 43 points on the Detroit Pistons, and he has apparently cleaned up his act with turnovers after setting the All-time playoff turnover record last season. I decided to compare Jason Tatum's season to Luka Doncic's since both players have started this season on fire.

First of all, I have been the first person to get on Luka Doncic about his dribbling too much, and slowing down the Dallas Maverick offense. Last season I also tore into him for being out of shape. Apparently, Luka must have been listening because he worked out and played all summer long. He came into this season ready to play. 

Luka Doncic is averaging close to a 'triple double', and he has scored 40 or more points in multiple games this season already. In fact,  on the night that Jason Tatum dropped 43 points on the Pistons, Luka Doncic had 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Clippers, a much better team.

Luka Doncic is currently averaging 34.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 8.1 apg over the first 13 games. Doncic is also shooting 49.6% from the field, 28.6% from three point range, and his 3.3 turnovers per game are the lowest of his career. On the other hand, Jason Tatum is averaging 32.2 ppg, 7.1. rpg, and 4.1 apg. Tatum is also shooting 50% from the field, 38.7% from three point range, and averaging only 2.5  TOVs.

At this stage in the season I would have to give Luka Doncic the slight edge because of his more beastly all around numbers. Be advised, it is still early in the season. I can vividly remember last season when everyone was saying Kevin Durant was a lock for the MVP award because of his hot start. Things have a way of changing in a 82 game season. I would not rule Jason Tatum out. He is playing like he has something to prove.

.               Player Valuation Numeric

                        

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - ZELMO BEATY

October 25th was the birthdate of Naismith Hall of Famer Zelmo Beaty (R.I.P). Zelmo, a 6'9" center, was respected for his physical play, toughness, and relentless effort. Beaty played in the NBA & ABA for the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Stars,  and St. Louis /Atlanta Hawks. 

Here are some of Zelmo Beaty's career accomplishments for those that do not know. Zelmo " Big Z" Beaty played eight seasons in the ABA, and four in the NBA. Beaty was an ABA champion, ABA playoff MVP, and a  3-time ABA All-star. He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2016.

                             STAT LINE

Zelmo Beaty played 889 professional basketball games. He averaged 33.4 minutes, 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 assist, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 2.3 turnovers each contest. Zelmo Beaty also shot 49.4% from the field, and 77.1% from the free throw line.

Player Valuation Numeric  = 29.8

               Player Valuation Numeric

In addition, Zelmo Beaty was a visionary labor activist as a player who had a clear understanding of the changing times in professional sports. Beaty fought for benefit implementations that today's players are currently receiving. 

Zelmo Beaty was respected by his teammates, and ALL of his competitors. Furthermore, Beaty maintained a great respect for those who came before him as well. In addition, he was both a respected husband for over 50 years, and his activism helped improve the game. Much respect for the memory and legacy of Zelmo Beaty!!!

* Zelmo Beaty was rightfully remembered and acknowledged within the pages of Basketball G.O.A.T. In this publication the Top 30 players of every position, as well as 15 honorable mention players (165 total), are reviewed in detail. Click the link below the picture for more information. 

                      Basketball G.O.A.T

THERE IS ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY

The video showing Draymond Green sucker punching Jordan Poole leaked out recently, and it looked bad, really bad. Draymond came off like a bully, and nothing that Jordan Poole could have said to him justified his being attacked by a teammate - PERIOD. It was a grimey move on Greene's part and a preseason practice was no time to use it. 

Draymond Green's involvement in the scuffle is no surprise. On the other hand, who he attacked was as shocking as Will Smith smacking Chris Rock for busting on his wife. In both cases the video clearly damaged the assaulted person's brand. 

When Chris Rock got smacked at the Oscars the whole world had something to say the next day. What most people heard loud and clear was that Chris Rock has a strong legal position if he decides to sue Will Smith in civil court. Will Smith immediately did damage control, and then went on a n overseas sabbatical for several months.

Two days after sucker punching Jordan Poole, Draymond Green held a press conference apologizing for his actions. After handling questions he went on a leave of absense. Draymond Green was also a no-show at the team's preseason game. Jordan Poole showed up, led the team in scoring, and looked ready to tepeat as champions. Ironically, Chris Rock had several sold out shows, and a flood of new booking engagements after his Oscar incident. 

                        Intangible Traits

There are other similarities as well. Draymond Greene and Will Smith both made the same statements concerning their victim's parents witnessing their assault, as if scripted. Also, both have significantly higher net worths than the men they assaulted. Draymond Green is due $16.4M this season compared to $3.9M for Jordan Poole. Also, the difference in Will Smith's net worth ($350M) compared to Chris Rock's ($40M) is significant enough for both Poole and Rock may decide to demand reparations to e en the score.

Because of the damage to their brands, and the video coverage, an out of court settlement would be in the best interests of both Will Smith and Draymond Green. Jordan Poole and Chris Rock were both embarrassed, and hit in the face. Will Smith and Draymond Green dished it out, and now they both are going to take hits to their pockets. In retrospect, their blows were infantile in comparison to what they will surely receive.

* The Top 30 players of every position (150 total) have been accurately and objectively uncovered with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric. If you have ever wondered who the Basket ball G.O.A.T really is, or if the NBA got the Top 75 right, then click the link below.

                     Basketball G.O.A.T

Earvin "MAGIC" Johnson or Chris "CP3" Paul?

Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Chris "CP3" Paul are two of the most accomplished players of All-time and both have rightfully been selected to the NBA's Top 75 player list. In addition, both have been considered 'point gods', which is definitely high praise.

The question posed in this post is not who is better, or who is the greater winner because the answers will only be opinions and subjective. On the other hand, when comparing who was a better ball handler then much more objectivity can be used. Granted, one can say that CP3 easily has a better 'handle' than Magic, and be correct, but that cannot be proven. 

On the other hand, the number of turnovers per game each legend has committed can be easily computed. In addition, comparisons between assists and turnovers (assist/turnover ratio) can be calculated easily as well. It is easy to say that a player is a great ball handler if they can dazzle and distribute assists like these perennial All-stars. Alteenately, it would be foolish to say that one is the better ballhandler if they turn the ball over much more than the other. For example, no one considers Russell Westbrook an excellent ball handler because he is also a turnover machine. Enough said.

Therefore, a brief analysis of Magic's and CP3's key ball handling statistics should reveal who was the better ball handler of these two point gods.

MAGIC JOHNSON

Assists Per Game - 11.2

Turnovers Per Game - 3.9

Assist/Turnover Ratio - 2.87/1

CHRIS PAUL

Assists Per Game - 9.5

Turnovers Per Game - 2.4

Assist/Turnover Ratio - 3.95/1

                100 Mazes for Beginners

For the record, I did not know the correct answer to this post until I just did the math. I also did not know that there would be such a big difference. I knew that Magic Johnson was the All-time per game assist leader, but I did not know that he also averaged a horrendous 3.9 turnovers per game. Players that turn it over 4.0 or more times per game are like 'secret agents' for the other team. Magic had over 4.0 turnovers per game during five seperate seasons with a high of 4.6. 

In comparison, Chris Paul averages 2.4 turnovers per game, and he has never averaged over 3.0 turnovers per game in his career.. This is outstanding and players that commit under 2.0 turnovers per game are elite and rare. Paul's high assist total along with his low turnover rate, show that CP3 is a better ball handler than Magic Johnson. There are skills and attributes that Magic Johnson has over Chris Paul. Ball handling is just not one of them.

* In Basketball G.O.A.T the Top 30 players of every position (150 total) have been uncovered with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric. Each player was evaluated accurately and objectively and the NBA got their Top 75 WRONG!!! 

Granted all of their picks are in the book, and Top 30 at their positions. On the other hand, there were a few deserving players that were denied their due respect. For more information click the link below. 

                       Basketball G.O.A.T

WHO WAS MORE VALUABLE - LEONARD OR WIGGINS

The number in the picture are correct. Even though Andrew Wiggins has been in the league for less time, he has managed to score more total points than Kawhi Leonard. Initially this surprised me because both players have similar skill sets and athleticism. I then recalled that Kawhi Leonard has missed a significant number of games because of serious injuries, so the scoring totals make sense. 

During his career Kawhi Leonard has received more accollades, and he has won one more championship as a professional. On the other hand, Andrew Wiggins has been MORE DURABLE, and has played in more games. In addition, Kawahi Leonard was selected as a Top 75 player All-time, but both players have similar numbers. Ironically, a casual glance at them both does not show a clear advantage for either player.

KAWHI LEONARD: 576 games - 19.2 ppg - 6.4 rpg - 2.9 apg - 49.4 FG% - 38.4 3-point % - 1.6 spg - 0.8 bpg - 1.6 TOV

ANDREW WIGGINS: 598 games - 19.3 ppg - 4.4 rpg - 2.3 apg - 44.8 FG% - 35.0 3-point % - 1.0 spg - 0.7 bpg - 2.0 TOV

Therefore, in order to actually determine which player has shown the greater value the Player Valuation Numeric was utilized.  The Player Valuation Numeric (PVN) is "objective", it uses each player's own production, AND it takes into account superior accomplishments such as championships won. No player is given more "credit" than they actually deserve.

With that being said here are the results. Kawhi Leonard has a PVN score of 35.5 which is a solid score. Alternately, Andrew Wiggins has a 29.7 PVN score which is also solid. With redpect to the PVN scoresall difference of 1.5 points or more is a clear victory. Therefore Kawhi Leonard has been more valuable and the 5.0 point advantage took him into an elite category. Be advised, these scores are always subject to change depending on how they finizh their careers.

* Player value can now be calculate objectively and accurately. In fact, it is so easy to that even a 5th grader can do it. For more information click the link below.

                 Player Valuation Numeric

MICHAEL JORDAN FANS HAVE "SELECTIVE MEMORIES"

My post stating that Wilt Chamberlain is the Basketball G.O.A.T has been driving Jordan fans craz. I kept the post factual by stating that Wilt still has 72 NBA records, Jordan has only 3, and even a first grader knows that 72 > 3. As expected the trolls came out with plenty of excuses.

Excuses like Wilt played against 6'5" centers, or less talented players was easy to prove as ridiculous. Other excuses were so outlandish that I would ask the culprits if they ever heard of Google, laugh and keep it moving. 

In addition, when countless fans continued to say that Michael Jordan was 6-0 and a greater winner than Wilt Chamberlain had to be addressed. Granted, Jordan won six championships and Wilt Chamberlain won twice. This made Jordan 6 - 9 for his career, not 6 - 0. In his first 7 years Jordan tried to win but got thrashed and sent home. At that time Dr.J, Moses Malone, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (All Top 75) were in their primes. Make no mistake, Jordan was at his best at the time, and his 'Airness' got dismissed - FACTS.

In 1991 Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated the aging Los Angeles Lakers and he won his first NBA championship. Kareem Abdul Jabbar had retired, and a 31 year old Magic Johnson would announce that he had HIV soon after the NBA Finals ended. Jordan defeated future Hall of Famers that were non-winners. Enough said.

                         Lady Skywalker

In comparison, Wilt Chamberlain faced the infamous Boston Celtic Dynasty teams 12 of his 13 professional seasons. These Celtic teams had Bill Russell and eight (8) other HOFs. For the record, that is 3 times a Lebron James Big 3 collaberation. 

This is why Wilt Chamberlain could drop several 50 point games (high of 62 points), and numerous 40 rebound games (high of 55 rebounds) on Bill Russell, and still lose. Realistically speaking, that is what should happen when 9 HOFs compete against 3 HOFs. In fact, the two times Wilt's teams won were two of the greatest upsets in sports history!!!

In conclusion, anyone that still calls Bill Russell the G.O.A.T after reading the last paragraph should go to rehab. The hard drugs have taken  control. Those that still think Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T are living a lie. That is their peragotive and I could not care less if I tried. Nothing they can say will change the fact that 72 is greater than 3 (72 > 3).

* The Top 30 players of each position have been revealed within the pages of Basketball G.O.A.T (below). This was done with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric (PVN). It is both accurate and objective. In addition, the formula is so easy to understand that even a 5th grader can use it. For more information click the link below.

.                     Basketball G.O.A.T

WAS KOBE BRYANT THE "GREATEST" LAKER?

Los Angeles Laker owner Jeanie Buss called Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant the greatest Laker ever. No one in the organization disputed her, and even basketball analysts agreed. 

I can understand why Jalen Rose gave Kobe Bryant 👍👍. The Black Mamba dropped 81 points on his head. On the other hand, there is usually more controversy with a subject like this. Kobe hasn't been gone that long, and I understand the pause. Any negativity may have caused a severe pushback. Kobe Bryant is loved!!!

Furthermore, Kobe Bryant was a bad bad boy on the basketball court. He played all of his 20 years in Los Angeles, scored the most points (33,643) in Laker history, won 5 NBA Championships, as well as several other accolades. The Black Mamba even ended his amazing career by scoring 60 points in his final NBA game. Kobe Bryant was a first ballot Hall of Famer in absentia (R.I.P), and he 100% deserved the honor.

With all of this being stated, the question still remains; Is Kobe Bryant the really the greatest Laker ever? Instead of accepting Jeanie Buss' opinion, I decided to actually check to see if her claim was valid. Was Kobe Bryant getting this acclaim because of his considerable talent, his unexpected passing, his incredible popularity, or the fact that he played with the organization longer than anyone else? 

                         High IQ Hoops

Be advised, the Los Angeles Laker organization is one of the most successfull in NBA history. They have also had some of the greatest players of All-time on their rosters. I decided to include only the players that played at least 4.5 seasons, the average length of an NBA career, which left out Top 75 players like Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Karl Malone. This requirement left Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Magic Johnson to compare to Kobe Bryant for overall Laker greatness.

I will compare each player's primary stats; points, rebounds, assists, championships, finals appearances, and Player Valuation Numeric scores. Blocks and steals were not officially counted for all of these players, so they were not used for these comparisons. Also, for those that do not know, the Player Valuation Numeric is an accurate and objective formula designed to calculate true player value. Here are all of the results.

SCORING

True, Kobe Bryant has scored more points as a Los Angeles Laker than any other player, but he has not scored the most points of all Lakers. Kareem Abdul Jabbar hilds that distinction, and he is the current All-time leading scorer in NBA history. In addition, Kobe Bryant''s points lead has a lot to do with his career longevity with respect to the other players, except for Magic Johnson. Wilt Chamberlain (30.1 ppg), Elgin Baylor (27.4 ppg) and Jerry West (27.0 ppg) all played 3 times as long as the average player, but still played more than 400 less games than Kobe Bryant (25.0 ppg). If they played as many games, then they easily would have surpassed his points total.

REBOUNDS

Kobe Bryant averaged 5.2 rpg. This is nowhere near the lead or even better than any of the others reviewed; Wilt Chamberlain (22.9 rpg), Elgin Baylor (13.5 rpg), Kareem Abdul Jabbar (10.4 rpg), Magic Johnson (7.2), and Jerry West (5.8).

                        How To LEAP

ASSISTS 

Kobe Bryant averaged 4.7 apg during his career. Here are the other Laker legend's assist outputs; Magic Johnson (11.2 apg), Jerry West (6.7 apg), Wilt Chamberlain (4.4 apg), Elgin Baylor (4.3 apg), and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (3.6 apg)

CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Black Mamba had 5 championships and 7 Finals appearance. In comparison, Kareem Abdul Jabbar had 6 championships and 10 Finals appearances; Magic Johnson had 5 championships and 9 Finals appearances; Wilt Chamberlain had 2 championships and 6 Finals appearances; Jerry West won 1 championship along with 9 Finals appearances; and Elgin Baylor had 1 championship and 8 Finals appearances. Kobe Bryant was an unquestionable winner

PLAYER VALUATION NUMERIC (PVN)

Kobe Bryant PVN = 38.8

* Other Laker Legends *

Magic Johnson PVN = 46.4

Jerry West PVN = 49.8

Elgin Baylor PVN = 49.2

Kareem Abdul Jabbar PVN = 51.1

Wilt Chamberlain PVN = 73.4

PLEASE NOTE: I did not include the George Mikan nor Shaquille O'Neal in this analysis. Mikan played well before all of these legends, and O'Neal would immediately be compared unfavorably to Chamberlain, which is not the point of this summary. Since both George Mikan and Shaquille O'Neal are Top 75 players, refusing to mention them would be blatantly disrespectful. Here are their Player Valuation Numeric scores:

                       Basketball G.O.A.T

George Mikan PVN = 44.3

Shaquille O'Neal PVN = 42.8

As stated earlier, the Player Valuation Numeric is an accurate and objective formula that calculates each player's value on the court. It uses each player's own production as well as championships, excellence points, and premium points, while also penalizing all players with 'weak points'. Be advised, all differences in PVN scores of 1.5 or more are significant.

In conclusion, after doing the research for this article, I have learned quite a bit about the Los Angeles Laker elite players that I did not know definitively. First of all, Jerry West is legitimately more valuable guard than both Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. In addition, four out of seven Laker legends examined have PVN scores more than 10 points higher than Bryant's.

Finally, if Lebron James (PVN =  47.7), George Mikan (44.3), Shaquille O'Neal (42.8), Anthony Davis (PVN = 40.3), and Karl Malone (39.9) had been included, then ALL of them would have been rated higher than Kobe Bryant on the merits. Therefore, it is safe to say that Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant is NOT the greatest Los Angeles Laker ever. In fact, he is not even close. He either ranks 6th or11th depending on whether James, Mikan, O'Neal, Davis, and Malone are considered. I will leave that to the Laker fans who now have quite a bit of previously unmentioned facts and reality to consider.

* Are you tired of the heated player debates like,  Who is the G.O.A.T? Or, Is Kobe Brysnt better than Lebron James? Have no fear, each player's true value can be accurately and objectively calculated. In fact, the formula is so easy to understand that even a 5th grader can use it. For more information click the link below.

                 Player Valuation Numeric