The gold ol' days...

by dhod on Jun 8, 2010 4:22 PM PDT

There was a time when if I had league pass that I could watch these games and expect at least 10 highlights that would make me jump out of my seat. I'm not saying there are not players like this now, but this was a time when players would just amaze me. The only player to do this now on a consistent basis is Lebron. Therefore, I will ask your opinion....

First up,

Tracy McGrady

He was considered by some to be the best player in the NBA at times. Prior to all of his injuries he was one of the most exciting players to watch because he could do it all. He was more athletic than Kobe and also had a better long range shot. The most intriguing part of T-Mac's game was his swagger. He was so cool on the court and made it look to easy. It would be interesting to see how he'd be killing right now if he never got injured. After all, he is a year younger than Kobe.

Next....

Steve Francis

Steve Francis aka Stevie Franchise, was so exciting because of his ball handling skills in combination with his unreal athletic ability. He would break people's ankles and then dunk on the biggest man on the court on the same play.

Third

Vince Carter

Air Canada is the best dunker of all time. Hands down. If anyone says otherwise they need to be slapped. His athleticism just doesnt compare to anyone except Lebron in todays game. Even still I do not think Lebron's athleticism today is nowhere near Carter's.

Allen Iverson

The Answer is probably one of the best scorers of all time. He is not even six feet tall and he was fearless. Ever since he came into the league he has been hated on for having too many tattoos or braids or a bad attitude. However he continued to prove all the haters wrong by showcasing his abilities on the court.

Last but not least

Jason Williams

J-Dub aka White Chocolate, is probably my favorite player to watch of all time when he was on the kings. His moves were so unpredictable and just never knew what he was going to do next. He hand the most handles and best passing ability in the NBA. He was so flashy and had the ability of being likable and hated at the same time. He has so much swagger as well.

It's sad that all of these players now are either retired, injured or washed up. These were some of my favorite players to watch in the late 90's and early 00's, but now it pains me to watch them (if they are still in the NBA.) I have to continue to watch these videos to remind me the of the good times when I could watch a game of any one of these players and just be in aw. Don't get me wrong, I love watching Kobe, Bron, and D. Wade but I think I like watching these five better even if they aren't good anymore.

Poll

Who was your favorite player to watch in the late 90's/early 00's that is now retired or washed up?

Tracy McGrady

70 votes

Steve Francis

16 votes

Vince Carter

45 votes

Allen Iverson

66 votes

Jason Williams

39 votes

236 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

Gotta go with the FRANCHISE!

by Potential on Jun 8, 2010 5:15 PM PDT reply actions

I used to idolize Steve Franchise a bit when I played ball.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of those players try signing with the Lakers to win a championship or something. A lot of has beens from the 04 all-star game without any rings.

by Precise Films Productions on Jun 21, 2010 2:21 AM PDT up reply actions

LOL!!!

I just had an awesome memory, thought I should share it. A few years back my friend and I got free tickets to a Warriors game sitting right behind the opposing teams bench which happend to be the Knicks. Steve Francis was just checking in after sitting on the bench for most of the first half and my friend yells out “Stevie Franchise??? More like Stevie sits on the bench!!”

I was in tears for about 20 minutes, thanks for the memorys!

by VERY VERY BUSY on Jun 8, 2010 5:28 PM PDT reply actions

It comes down to McGrady, Carter and Iverson for me and all for different reasons. I’d probably go with Iverson because I remember watching him in the playoffs when I was about 10 or younger than that. He stepped over Lue in the NBA Finals and that was crazy. His crossover mesmerized me and I loved the way he played the passing lanes.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 8, 2010 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

my favorites. carter and A.I.

by warriorfannumber1 on Jun 8, 2010 6:18 PM PDT reply actions

Stevie Franchise

Used to be my favorite non-Warrior. Wish he beat LA though.

"It's like Will Smith, remember the Fresh Prince? Get the ball don't let nobody else shoot? That's kinda what the offense can be sometimes, and they're just standing around waiting for Monta to make a play"
-MT2

by golden_solitude on Jun 8, 2010 8:58 PM PDT reply actions

Very entertaining group

Some of Binky Curry’s moves remind me a bit of Jason Williams, if he ever does an elbow pass I’ll be convinced.

Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 8, 2010 9:16 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah that was a good group

I think they are all different though.
AI had a great career that slipped at the end
T Mac and Carter were both real good, but then had injuries slow them down and never lived up to their hype
Franchise had a few real good years, but never really contributed to winning teams, and didn’t live up to his hype.
Jayson Williams could be entertaining and exciting at times but wasn’t really ever very good.

Gotta go AI, although I could go Carter or possibly McGrady.

by freerandolph on Jun 8, 2010 11:34 PM PDT reply actions

Jayson Williams could be entertaining and exciting at times but wasn’t really ever very good.

Do you mean Jayson Williams or Jason Williams?

by jae on Jun 9, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Jason actually i think.

The one from the highlight reel above.

by freerandolph on Jun 11, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Jason Williams=White Chocolate

Jayson Williams is serving a prison sentence for aggravated assault.

Pro-Skub for life

by Reverend_Randy on Jun 11, 2010 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm talking about Jason. I already said I'm talking about the one with the highlights above...

by freerandolph on Jun 11, 2010 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Jason actually i think.

You didn’t sound too sure.

Pro-Skub for life

by Reverend_Randy on Jun 11, 2010 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Great Post...

I just wasted the first hour of my work day watching these vids, rewinding @ times, thinking “I remember that!” I can now start my day off on a good note. I had to go w/ J-Will though. Just because he stood out w/ his passing ability compared to those that were primarily scorers.

by esco41510 on Jun 9, 2010 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

Awesome!

I must be getting up there in age if TMac, Vince Carter, and AI are considered golden oldies. Good list though, but the one guy I could youtube for 24 hours straight is Shawn Kemp. When that guy dunked on Alton Lister, I felt like he dunked on my ancestors. One of those dunks that transcend the dunk-time continuum.

awesomeness

by currytree on Jun 9, 2010 9:55 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Vinsanity / Half-Man-Half-Amazing

I loved Vince when he was still with the raptors, doing dunks in games that players couldn’t even do in dunk contests. It was amazing that he was almost on Sportscenter’s Top 10 every night. I was so sad when he started getting injured all the time and it has definitely affected his ability to play. He eventually became known as Half-Man-Half-a-Season =(

As far as ballhandlers go, my all-time favorite is still Tim Hardaway. His crossover was amazing and fast. He not only did the simple crossover going from one hand to another, but he did it between his legs one way, and then back the other way. A lot of the crossovers that happen now are borderline carries. Back in the day they would’ve been called carries for sure.

by bObaBaLLa on Jun 9, 2010 10:46 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

Tim Hardaway’s cross over was killer for sure. I have to go with Tracy McGrady though because i always liked him growing up. He was a great all around player back then. Vince Carter was also great, when he took off you knew you were about to see something special. If only he could have been doing that in Golden State instead of Toronto.

Golden State Warriors Fan 4 Life!!!
PG: Stephen Curry
PF: Anthony Randolph
Can't wait until GS wins a championship!!!

by GSW9 on Jun 9, 2010 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

AI

during his prime was just the most exciting player to watch

by tafkasam on Jun 9, 2010 1:14 PM PDT reply actions

where is Ostertag?

I’d have broken that voting button.

by BBANGUS on Jun 9, 2010 3:59 PM PDT reply actions

T-Mac got so unlucky...

Think if only Grant Hill hadn’t been injured for 70+ games all those seasons where the Magic could’ve gone, and where TMac’s career could have gone. I have no doubt that he WAS the better player then Kobe, and had he had Kobe’s luck he’d be considered a future all-time great as well.
Same with Vince too, he was phenomenal when he was on Toronto but especially when he was in NJ at his prime, but just didn’t have strong supporting casts to help him out.

by 'Antoine on Jun 9, 2010 5:36 PM PDT reply actions

Was VC even the best player on those Nets teams?

What about JKidd?

Pro-Skub for life

by Reverend_Randy on Jun 9, 2010 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Regardless of which one was the best player on their team (very debatable as both acted as solid captains, put up great #s, had unreal +/-s, etc.), those 2 pretty much by themselves made that Nets crew a relevant playoff team with little help from their cast (unless you count the cherry-picking Richard Jefferson)

by 'Antoine on Jun 12, 2010 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Grant Hill was an unbelieveable player before the injuries. I really think he would have been the 3rd best player of his generation after Shaq and Duncan had he stayed healthy.

by Missing Barry on Jun 10, 2010 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Someone should link Grant Hill too, he was like an artist

go rowand

by lincypoo i wuv u on Jun 10, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

not to mention he got traded

for Steve Francis the very same year that Orlando got Dwight Howard.

by Evanz on Jun 11, 2010 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

have no doubt that he WAS the better player then Kobe, and had he had Kobe’s luck he’d be considered a future all-time great as well.

So many young, high scoring wings would have Kobe’s rep if they won 3 rings beside Shaq.

Kobe sucks

by GovernorStephCurry on Jun 11, 2010 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Iverson was my favorite player. Maybe because I got to see him much more than these other guys. He was so exciting.

I liked TMac I think but the Magic were too frustrating/boring to watch in the playoffs, you knew they were gonna lose, and his supporting cast sucked.

I remember 2001 playoffs AI up against VC, an amazing series. Totally rooted for him game 1 vs the Lakers too. I remember being at a giants game when the Lakers were announced the champs, we booed like mad.

go rowand

by lincypoo i wuv u on Jun 10, 2010 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

Grant Hill gets my vote.

I know it was a different time period than what we’re talking about but he was the 2nd best player after Jordan at that time. IMO, the nba in the mid 90s was the best the league has ever been. Those are my good ol’ days.

by Captain Jack on Jun 10, 2010 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

Can you say PEJA?

He was a top 5-10 player in the league at one time.

But seriously, T-Mac was great. One of my all time favorite players

by RUN EMC on Jun 10, 2010 10:03 PM PDT reply actions

I guess it means you're getting old

when “good ’ol days” doesn’t refer to Run TMC.

I always love being reminded that we passed on Tracy McGrady to take Adonal Foyle.

by Evanz on Jun 11, 2010 5:58 AM PDT reply actions

haha

don’t forget about todd fuller over kobe

by dhod on Jun 11, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm glad

Kobe sucks

by GovernorStephCurry on Jun 11, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey Dhod

btw, is your name a Momento reference by any chance?

by freerandolph on Jun 11, 2010 5:07 PM PDT reply actions

Lol no, it was a great movie though

by dhod on Jun 13, 2010 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

White Chocolate and A.I.

were my heroes as a young baller in a time when the Warriors (J-Rich aside) didn’t have any heroes to worship.
I spent three months practicing the elbow pass (as a 9 year old) until I could finally get close. It’s been ten years since and I still can’t do it accurately on the run.

by Screwfish on Jun 14, 2010 3:19 AM PDT reply actions

Poor choices

The writers selection in this article tells me his tastes in super stars leans heavily towards players who are all about “me” and not about the team. These were showboat players who liked to thump their chests and shout out how good they are or were. None would be on my list for this reason. P.S. How many of them earned championship rings?

by jimjule on Jun 15, 2010 10:03 AM PDT reply actions