If LeBron is the best NBA player of the past 15 years, then who would rank 2nd and 3rd?
Let me just say this is ranked from what they managed to achieve from 2004–2019 (or before)Lebron (Duh)Kobe Bryant- A player who receives a whole lot of shit because of efficiency, but believe me, he is #2. He managed to get similar achievements as KD during this time span but has more impressive individual seasons and superior playoff runs (for sure best player on 3 straight finals runs).Dwyane Wade- If he had more accolades he could easily climb over KD and without injuries might’ve been able to surpass Kobe (might’ve). However, his genuinely insane single season years and even more ridiculous playoff runs solidify his position. If you are new to basketball, check out 2006 and 2011 finals stats as he would often carry his teammates, and yes, in 2011 that included Lebron.Kevin Durant- 2014 was a great season, 2016 was another great season which would have put him 3rd but his recent finals MVPs have put him slightly above #5. Great career stats (27 ppg) and accolades.Stephen Curry- I actually don’t actually want to explain this.Dirk Nowitzki- Wait a bitTim Duncan- So I do actually have a reason for ranking Nowitzki higher as I believe what he achieved from 2004 onwards actually surpassed Duncan’s. Some examples include one of the greatest title runs in history (2011), another great finals run in 2006, regular season performances, etc. I will like to say I believe it is very close.Kevin Garnett- He actually achieved a bunch from 2004–08, but was a shell of himself after the injury.CP3- cuz why notJames Harden- seriously this guy is top 5 regular season he just needs a genuine playoff run.Westbrick- I am damn tiredT-MacRay Allen- IDKPaul PierceAnthony Davis is honestly better than everyone up until Tim-D and Harden but he truly hasn’t achieved anything.Giannis- Bucks fan for life (#TOPOFTHELIST15YEARSFROMNOW)I’m too tired sorry, list trailed off at the end.
Has a player ever left a team for another and then returned later? If so, who and what team?
I'll like to add Ian Rush's name to the list of the players mentioned in the answers.1. Ian Rush (Liverpool->Juventus->Liverpool) Rushie was a legend for Liverpool Fc, he played a key role in Liverpool's success in the 80's. Him combining with Kenny Dalglish which was arguably the most prolific strike partnership in English football in that decade. It was the time when English clubs were barred from participation in European football (post Heysel). Hence, the incentive to play in European competitions attracted many top English footballers to foreign lands.In 1987 he accepted the offer to join Juventus for then british record transfer fee of 3.2 million pounds. His move was seen strategic for some reasons. It was believed that the transfer was orchestrated as an attempt to improve relations between the Merseysiders and the Turin club which had turned sour post Heysel stadium disaster.However, Rushie's spell in Turin didn't last more than one season, the difficulties of settling down in foreign lands and possibly tighter and disciplined defensive setups of Italian league made his time in Italy anything but remarkable.(Ian Rush (on right) at champions league clash between Liverpool and Juventus in 2005)This prompted Ian Rush to return to Liverpool in 1988 and restored his name among Anfield faithfuls and the famous kop had a new chant Rushie is back! Rushie is back! during the community shield game against Chester City.Rush published a diary of his frustrating time in Italy titled My Italian Diary, 1989. In it, he reflected on his struggles to integrate himself in the dressing room at Juventus and adapt to the Italian style of play.
Are “super teams” like the 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors good or bad for the NBA?
Let’s take a step back and relax:In the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls three-peated on two separate occasions with Jordan and Pippen at the helm.In the early 2000s, the Lakers won three straight titles behind Kobe and prime Shaq.Just a few short years ago, the Heat put together a big 3 that went to the NBA finals 4 years in a row, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. As much as we freak out about them when they initially form, super teams have been a fixture in the NBA for much of the past two decades, and the popularity of the sport has only increased. Hard to make a case for them being bad for the NBA.Fast forward to present day: the Golden State Warriors were unbelievably popular for the last two seasons because of how they played. Flashy passes, constant ball movmenet, ridiculous shots, flirting with danger yet always managing to emerge with a win, led by relatable super stars; sometimes it’s easy to forget that the Warriors have actually won one title. By the standards of their predecessors, they still have more to accomplish before they can actually be considered a “super-team.”Now you add Kevin Durant, and things get more interesting. All of a sudden you have all of the exact same element that endeared GSW to basketball fans everywhere to an even higher degree: Kevin Durant is an extremely personable figure, you can expect to see even more ridiculous plays, etc. but now the narrative is shifted. Now the Warriors are positioned to be thought of as the oppressors instead of the revolutionaries. Plenty of people are still going to like them and side with them; others will watch with a mixture of fascination and resentment as the Big 4 tear apart teams on their good nights and cheer when they struggle.It doesn’t hurt the narrative that after the Finals it suddenly became popular to question whether the Warriors in general and Curry in particular were really ever as good as they seemed or whether they were overrated fraudsters who couldn’t justify the hype when it counted. No matter how good the Warriors look, you can bet there will be people asking “but can they do it in the playoffs?”Having a team like Golden State doesn’t kill all the suspense; it just creates a different set of compelling narratives. As always, the NBA will find a way to market them to their advantage.
Out of the two US presidential candidates which one do you think is worse, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?
Strange as it may sound, the question evokes in me a conflict between my gut and my heart. My gut reaction is the country is going into a period of anarchy where the better angels of our nature are betrayed and lost from sight. In that country, I suppose someone like Donald Trump is the better president, although I’m at a loss to say why.I don’t see Trump holding the country together, unifying or building. He seems intent on doing the exact opposite. I do see his movement as a reaction to the excesses of political correctness but for all the rhetoric, that seems trivial.Hillary I see as the president if I feel the country will last another hundred years. That there will be a United States to lead the world further in the directions of the Founders and the Age of Reason. That may sound opposite or obtuse to some who’ve internalized the rhetoric of Originalists, but I feel and think it’s accurate.The conflict between these two impressions sorrows me overall.
Who is the unluckiest player in the history of sport?
Ayrton SennaBorn: 21st March 1960Died: 1st may 1994 Well fact is this guy was more than unlucky.He won 3 Formula one championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before his Death in one of the most tragic accident in motor-sports history in 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. He is still considered by many as greatest drivers from all time (Formula 1's Greatest Drivers). From 1987 to 1994 he dominated formula one like Michael Schumacher. Apart from 3 championship: He won total 41 races in his career which is third highest in total wins. Held 65 poles which was a record until 2006 before Michael Schumacher broke it.Total 80 podium finish which is 4th highest in record.Record 6 victories in Monaco Grand Prix.19 times fastest lap.All ended this very day: 1st may 1994:San Marino Grand Prix lap no. 7: There was long left turn on pit. Senna who was driving at 310 kmph, failed to control car. His car crashed in one of unprotected concrete barrier wall.He was faster than any other driver of his era and his rivalry with Alan Prost considered to be greatest in the history. Schumacher also posed great challenge to Senna in his late career. A dedicated and determined champion was simply genius among his category. Quote: "Just because I believe in God, just because I have faith in God, it doesn't mean that I'm immune. It doesn't mean that I'm immortal"- Ayrton Senna (1989) So true Champion!PS: On that bloody weekend Roland Ratzenberger also died due to crash during Qualifying in his very first formula one championship.Thanks!