http://sportsline.com/nba/story/7813079/1
Attack (the basket) of the clones
Oct. 20, 2004
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
Tell Mike your opinion!
With stem cell research such a hot button issue these days and the possibility of cloning becoming stronger every year, just imagine if creative billionaire Paul Allen decides he has had it with the present state of his Portland Trail Blazers.
Instead of drafting, trading or acquiring NBA players through free agency, he'd simply send in the clones.
It would be easy to come up with a team you'd like if you could clone any player ... just take the Dream Team of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Karl Malone and David Robinson.
Or, go back into history with Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit and Wilt Chamberlain if you are so inclined.
But if you could only clone one player into a five-man team, who would it be?
"It would have to be Bird," says Donnie Walsh, CEO of the Indiana Pacers, who now have Bird as their president of basketball operations.
"He was the total package. When you have a guy who can shoot, pass and rebound like that, you will win. Now, he wasn't a good one-on-one defender, but he was a great team defensive player. And if you have five of them, that's great team defense."
That's history. And, of course, just imagine how much fun it would be to see five Birds playing against five Magics.
West against the Big O.
Baylor vs. Julius Erving.
The possibilities when you send in the clones are endless, particularly when we're talking about generation to generation.
Wouldn't everybody just love to see five Jordans against five Kobe Bryants?
What about the size factor? There wouldn't be great ball-handling or slick passing, but the thunder would be endless. Just imagine Shaquille O'Neals on one team and Wilt Chamberlains on the other.
"That would be something," Walsh added, "It's hard to believe anybody wouldn't want to have five Shaqs."
Actually, just about every team would settle for one.
But that's just historically.
When it comes to today's players, there is little doubt who is the most diverse in his domination. In fact, what Walsh's choice, Bird, accomplished in five consecutive seasons -- averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists -- has been matched by only one man.
Kevin Garnett.
"He creates so many problems on both all of the floor," Seattle SuperSonics coach Nate McMillan said. "There is nobody else like him."
That's why Garnett is my choice. At a wiry 7-feet, 235 pounds, with great jumping ability and arms that seemingly extend from baseline to baseline, it's hard to fathom that anybody could get the ball up the floor against five K.G.s, let alone score.
There are people who prefer Tim Duncan because of his power and consistency, but Garnett has better shooting range, quickness and jumping ability that would supersede Duncan's power game.
The best guy of all has rarely been healthy or happy in his career, but Derrick Coleman at 6-10, 270, and with the total game, would be the perfect specimen. One of the more underrated players was Derrick McKey, who, at nearly 6-11, once played all five positions in one game for the Seattle SuperSonics.
On the other hand, we may get to see the best one yet, but he's only 19.
Yeah, LeBron James is already a handful.
The concept of five LeBrons at 6-8, 240, and with skills galore is hard to fathom.
But at least for one night, one eerie Friday the 13th, it would be a special treat to send in the clones.
The top 10 clone subjects today: 1. Kevin Garnett: He brings everything to the table on both ends of the floor, which would enhance his scoring and shut down everybody else.
2. Tim Duncan: A more powerful version of Garnett, he doesn't have the agility, quickness or shooting range, but he's a brilliant overall talent.
3. Kobe Bryant: The first smallish player, he has so much talent on both ends of the floor ... at 6-7, the Bryant team would constantly be in attack mode.
4. Tracy McGrady: A taller, rangier version of Bryant, he doesn't defend anywhere nearly as well, but a year with Jeff Van Gundy might change that.
5. Lamar Odom: He's a more lithe version of Coleman, a 6-10 lefty who seamlessly transitions into every aspect of the game with exceptional skill.
6. Chris Webber: He hasn't been healthy in a while, but when he is, C-Webb does everything on the floor and makes those around him better.
7. Dirk Nowitzki: He hasn't quite developed his passing and defense to a high level, but any 7-footer with so many skills is a generational prototype.
8. Andrei Kirilenko: He fills up a box score on offense, and defensively, he's like extendoman ... can't imagine trying to score against five of him.
9. LeBron James: This generation's super-talent with hops out of this world -- maybe this is who Jimi Hendrix was talking about: "'Scuse me while I kiss the sky."
10. Ron Artest: At nearly 260 pounds of granite and extraordinary quickness, he's a tyrant defensively, and his offensive skills are vastly underrated.
The top 10 clone matchups of all time:
1. Shaq vs. Wilt: Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain reflect the ultimate power matchup transcending generations and styles. Wilt 90, Shaq 85.
2. Bird vs. Magic: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson entering the NBA changed basketball more than any other two in history. Bird, 105, Magic 102.
3. Air Jordan vs. Kobe: There are those who believe Michael Jordan has returned to the NBA as Kobe Bryant. Air 108, Kobe 91.
4. Hondo vs. The Logo: John Havlicek and Jerry West were the classic wing players of their generation on both ends of the floor. Havlicek 102, West 101.
5. Dr. J. vs. Human Highlight Film: It's hard to fathom a more exciting dunk extravaganza than Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkens. Doc 119, 'Nique 117.
6. Big O vs. Sir Charles: Both Oscar Robertson and Charles Barkley are unique in style and substance. Charles in style. O on substance. Big O 110, Sir 98.
7. Isiah vs. A.I.: This is the quickness version of Shaq-Wilt. Isiah Thomas and Allen Iverson have embarrassed more players than any other players in history. Isiah 111, A.I. 99.
8. Dream vs. Moses: Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone both played for the Houston Rockets, but Moses didn't get a title until he left. Dream got two. Dream 91, Moses 86.
9. Kareem vs. Big Sir: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton represent the best fundamental centers John Wooden could mold. Kareem 92, Big Sir 90.
10. Mailman vs. Big E: Karl Malone and Elvin Hayes represent the transition of bruising power forwards into bruising scorers. Mailman 96, Big E 95.
Attack (the basket) of the clones
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
Tell Mike your opinion!
With stem cell research such a hot button issue these days and the possibility of cloning becoming stronger every year, just imagine if creative billionaire Paul Allen decides he has had it with the present state of his Portland Trail Blazers.
Who wouldn't want to clone a team
of Michael Jordans? (Getty Images)
Instead of drafting, trading or acquiring NBA players through free agency, he'd simply send in the clones.
It would be easy to come up with a team you'd like if you could clone any player ... just take the Dream Team of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Karl Malone and David Robinson.
Or, go back into history with Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit and Wilt Chamberlain if you are so inclined.
But if you could only clone one player into a five-man team, who would it be?
"It would have to be Bird," says Donnie Walsh, CEO of the Indiana Pacers, who now have Bird as their president of basketball operations.
"He was the total package. When you have a guy who can shoot, pass and rebound like that, you will win. Now, he wasn't a good one-on-one defender, but he was a great team defensive player. And if you have five of them, that's great team defense."
That's history. And, of course, just imagine how much fun it would be to see five Birds playing against five Magics.
West against the Big O.
Baylor vs. Julius Erving.
The possibilities when you send in the clones are endless, particularly when we're talking about generation to generation.
Wouldn't everybody just love to see five Jordans against five Kobe Bryants?
What about the size factor? There wouldn't be great ball-handling or slick passing, but the thunder would be endless. Just imagine Shaquille O'Neals on one team and Wilt Chamberlains on the other.
"That would be something," Walsh added, "It's hard to believe anybody wouldn't want to have five Shaqs."
Actually, just about every team would settle for one.
But that's just historically.
When it comes to today's players, there is little doubt who is the most diverse in his domination. In fact, what Walsh's choice, Bird, accomplished in five consecutive seasons -- averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists -- has been matched by only one man.
Kevin Garnett.
"He creates so many problems on both all of the floor," Seattle SuperSonics coach Nate McMillan said. "There is nobody else like him."
That's why Garnett is my choice. At a wiry 7-feet, 235 pounds, with great jumping ability and arms that seemingly extend from baseline to baseline, it's hard to fathom that anybody could get the ball up the floor against five K.G.s, let alone score.
There are people who prefer Tim Duncan because of his power and consistency, but Garnett has better shooting range, quickness and jumping ability that would supersede Duncan's power game.
The best guy of all has rarely been healthy or happy in his career, but Derrick Coleman at 6-10, 270, and with the total game, would be the perfect specimen. One of the more underrated players was Derrick McKey, who, at nearly 6-11, once played all five positions in one game for the Seattle SuperSonics.
On the other hand, we may get to see the best one yet, but he's only 19.
Yeah, LeBron James is already a handful.
The concept of five LeBrons at 6-8, 240, and with skills galore is hard to fathom.
But at least for one night, one eerie Friday the 13th, it would be a special treat to send in the clones.
The top 10 clone subjects today: 1. Kevin Garnett: He brings everything to the table on both ends of the floor, which would enhance his scoring and shut down everybody else.
2. Tim Duncan: A more powerful version of Garnett, he doesn't have the agility, quickness or shooting range, but he's a brilliant overall talent.
3. Kobe Bryant: The first smallish player, he has so much talent on both ends of the floor ... at 6-7, the Bryant team would constantly be in attack mode.
4. Tracy McGrady: A taller, rangier version of Bryant, he doesn't defend anywhere nearly as well, but a year with Jeff Van Gundy might change that.
5. Lamar Odom: He's a more lithe version of Coleman, a 6-10 lefty who seamlessly transitions into every aspect of the game with exceptional skill.
6. Chris Webber: He hasn't been healthy in a while, but when he is, C-Webb does everything on the floor and makes those around him better.
7. Dirk Nowitzki: He hasn't quite developed his passing and defense to a high level, but any 7-footer with so many skills is a generational prototype.
8. Andrei Kirilenko: He fills up a box score on offense, and defensively, he's like extendoman ... can't imagine trying to score against five of him.
9. LeBron James: This generation's super-talent with hops out of this world -- maybe this is who Jimi Hendrix was talking about: "'Scuse me while I kiss the sky."
10. Ron Artest: At nearly 260 pounds of granite and extraordinary quickness, he's a tyrant defensively, and his offensive skills are vastly underrated.
The top 10 clone matchups of all time:
1. Shaq vs. Wilt: Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain reflect the ultimate power matchup transcending generations and styles. Wilt 90, Shaq 85.
2. Bird vs. Magic: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson entering the NBA changed basketball more than any other two in history. Bird, 105, Magic 102.
3. Air Jordan vs. Kobe: There are those who believe Michael Jordan has returned to the NBA as Kobe Bryant. Air 108, Kobe 91.
4. Hondo vs. The Logo: John Havlicek and Jerry West were the classic wing players of their generation on both ends of the floor. Havlicek 102, West 101.
5. Dr. J. vs. Human Highlight Film: It's hard to fathom a more exciting dunk extravaganza than Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkens. Doc 119, 'Nique 117.
6. Big O vs. Sir Charles: Both Oscar Robertson and Charles Barkley are unique in style and substance. Charles in style. O on substance. Big O 110, Sir 98.
7. Isiah vs. A.I.: This is the quickness version of Shaq-Wilt. Isiah Thomas and Allen Iverson have embarrassed more players than any other players in history. Isiah 111, A.I. 99.
8. Dream vs. Moses: Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone both played for the Houston Rockets, but Moses didn't get a title until he left. Dream got two. Dream 91, Moses 86.
9. Kareem vs. Big Sir: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton represent the best fundamental centers John Wooden could mold. Kareem 92, Big Sir 90.
10. Mailman vs. Big E: Karl Malone and Elvin Hayes represent the transition of bruising power forwards into bruising scorers. Mailman 96, Big E 95.
