Definition of a superstar from Kenny Smith

[MFFL]

There’s 5 ways to dominate a game. Scoring, rebounds and assists are the ones you see. Then defense and pace of the game.

A superstar controls 4 of those 5 every night. Every night.

[MFFL]

Sound like anyone we know?

[mac222b]

I’m not sure I agree.

[Thespiralgoeson]

I like Bill Simmons' definition of a superstar better.

1. Sell tickets
2. Generate interest nationally and locally
3. Guarantee an average team 45-50 wins
4. Potentially be the best player on a NBA Finals team if the pieces fall into place

Still sounds like someone we know though.

[mac222b]

Reason I said I’m not sure I agree is because you have guys like Dirk or Dame Lillard or Steph Or Iverson that maybe dont check off those boxes but are most certainly superstars. Kenny Smith thinks he’s way smarter than he is and also thinks he was a better ball player than he was (and he was really good).

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I like Bill Simmons' definition of a superstar better.

1. Sell tickets
2. Generate interest nationally and locally
3. Guarantee an average team 45-50 wins
4. Potentially be the best player on a NBA Finals team if the pieces fall into place

Still sounds like someone we know though.

LeBron (w/Wade/Bosh/Kyrie)
Michael (w/Pippen)
Duncan (w/Parker)
Dirk (w/?)
Funny how that number 2 guy is debatable for Dirk and not really any other superstar that I can think of in the past several decades.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

LeBron (w/Wade/Bosh/Kyrie)
Michael (w/Pippen)
Duncan (w/Parker)
Dirk (w/?)
Funny how that number 2 guy is debatable for Dirk and not really any other superstar that I can think of in the past several decades.

There are other superstars who never had a real #2, but Dirk is the only one that won a title. I would consider Iverson, KG (pre Boston), and T-Mac (pre Houston), and Dwight Howard all superstars. But Dirk is the only one that took his team to the promised land.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

There are other superstars who never had a real #2, but Dirk is the only one that won a title. I would consider Iverson, KG (pre Boston), and T-Mac (pre Houston), and Dwight Howard all superstars. But Dirk is the only one that took his team to the promised land.

Yeah, that is kind of my point.
Dirk being the clear best player on that team didn't have a real side kick that played with him for years. JET might be the guy but he wasn't even an all-star and not nearly the caliber that LeBron, Duncan, KG, Michael, Magic and some others had.

Dirk is beyond special imo and a unique superstar. I'm not sure we'll ever see a team win another championship with one clear superstar with no clear side-kick that isn't at least an all-star .

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Dirk is beyond special imo and a unique superstar. I'm not sure we'll ever see a team win another championship with one clear superstar with no clear side-kick that isn't at least an all-star .

If Giannis does it this year, that's probably the closest we'll ever see.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

If Giannis does it this year, that's probably the closest we'll ever see.

Middleton is a 2 time All Star

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Middleton is a 2 time All Star

That's why I said closest.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

That's why I said closest.

I was just pointing out that there is a big difference between a 2 time All Star as a teams second best player and someone like JET

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I was just pointing out that there is a big difference between a 2 time All Star as a teams second best player and someone like JET

True, but I honestly I think Dirk's 2011 supporting cast was at least as good as Giannis' now. Maybe no all-stars, but just top to bottom solid roster that made sense. Good defense, good 3 point shooting, plenty of depth.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

True, but I honestly I think Dirk's 2011 supporting cast was at least as good as Giannis' now. Maybe no all-stars, but just top to bottom solid roster that made sense. Good defense, good 3 point shooting, plenty of depth.

I agree. And JET was at an All-Star level for that playoff run