1990-1999...or somethin like that!

[Fresh8]

I am too young....or was too young to remember anything bout the last decade....

but I did want to know...- no not bout Jordan and Pippen...but about the different big men and their impact in the games they played....I mean, there was Alonzo Mourning, Dikeme Mutombo, Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwan, Theo Ratliff....David Robertson....who else have I missed? With those names...there were more dominant big men in the league than today!

How good was Kemp and Vin Baker? And what bout Mitch Richmond (He's getting his jersey retired!). Was Reggie Miller feared by most teams? And what bout the players whose names haven't survived till today and were guys who were pretty good?

Joe Dumars is a player I want to know more about...Tim Hardaway- how good was he? Can anyone who knows tons bout the 90's NBA tell me bout these guys or anyone who was interesting/good?!

I'd appreciate it heaps!

[Old School Fool]

I was born in 1990's but anyways....


Tim Hardaway was the SHIT....he was like....awesome in his prime...and he had Nice hair too and he had a Signature Lay-Up called "UTEP Two Step"

Shaq was AWESOME! He had his own Rap song when he was with the Magic He owned too and when he was with Orlando...He went for a Two handed Dunk in New Jersey against the Nets and he Broke the freaking Rim...he tore the whole obastacle over LOL

And i am listening to "Whoop There It Is" while typing this for a 90's feel

Kobe showed the NBA what his name was...and he left his mark on Ben Wallace and Las Vegas...He POSTERIZED Ben Wallace almost threw it down from the Free Throw Line

Dennis Rodman was a Laker in '99

He was a Maveric too later in that season but Don Nelson threw him off

Theo Ratliff was like nothing almost...all he could do was Block

Mitch Richmond use to have a Square Cut hairstyle with the warriors

And About Shawn Kemp...He was not fat he was skinny and he was FEARED cause of his extreme power Payton to Kemp R.I.P


Did I accidentally set a record for most Emoticons? LOL sorry

[Fresh8]

What bout Detlef Shremp...or however u spell it....Yeah...Payton in his prime

Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley (WAS HE EVER DECENT?), Rik Smits- all of them are 7'4" or taller....

Did Marbury-KG work out?

Wat bout Sabonis? How highly regarded was Luc longley?

Hornacek was good, right?

And today there are heaps of good guards in the league, the West rocks...wat happened before?

[Old School Fool]

KG and Marbury was good...


The West was Great but the East had Michael Jordan

[Andrew]

Back in the 90s, having Shaq on your team wasn't necessarily enough. The Magic didn't make the playoffs in his rookie year (they also had Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson at that time) and although they made the Finals in 1995, they were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets. Back in the 90s, Shaq's strength was countered by big men who were no weaklings themselves, who also possessed skills that were superior to the Diesel's.

Shawn Kemp made the All-Star team five or six times if I recall correctly. Though he never reached the level he might have had he stayed in Seattle and kept in shape, he was one of the league's best power forwards during the mid 90s. While he was not as prolific on offense as Karl Malone, he was more athletic, with a better jumpshot.

Vin Baker was also a multi-time All-Star who seemed to have a bright future. A year after being traded to Seattle, he lost some of his passion for the game and as we now know, began abusing alcohol. But his stats for his first four years in the league were more than solid.

Mitch Richmond was another All-Star of the 90s who could light up from long range. Unfortunately, Richmond gained a reputation as a player who could put up great numbers on a poor team. The Kings made the playoffs only once during his stint in Sacramento. He enjoyed greater team success with the Golden State Warriors, where he formed "Run TMC" with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin.

Reggie Miller was deadly in the clutch. Though his scoring average usually hovered around 20-22 ppg, he could score when the Pacers needed it most, usually from three point range. How good was Reggie from behind the arc? He's the all-time leader in three pointers made, shooting them at a 39.9% clip for his career.

Tim Hardaway was one of the best point guards in the NBA during the 90s. He popularised the "killer crossover", a move that had existed in basketball for decades, but a move few could execute as well as Tim Bug. Even though he holds the NBA record for most field goals in a game without making any, he was not a poor shooter and despite only being 6'0", could penetrate and easily make shots over players who were a foot taller. Think Iverson with a higher FG% and more assists.

Joe Dumars is known as a classy player on and off the court, a tough defender who could also punish a team with his jumpshot (46% for his career). Though Isiah Thomas was the leader of the Pistons in the 80s, Joe D was the MVP of the 1989 Finals and in the 90s provided leadership for a rebuilding Pistons team that featured players such as Grant Hill, Lindsey Hunter and Allan Houston.

[scubilete]

How good was Kemp and Vin Baker?

Well, about Kemp I can tell you he was the most complete PF in the league in his years with the Sonics. About Vin Baker, can't tell you much, he had a few good years with the Bucks but he was not that great like others. Still being soft, he played well. I just don't like his game,

but about the different big men and their impact in the games they played...I mean, there was Alonzo Mourning, Dikeme Mutombo, Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwan, Theo Ratliff....David Robertson....who else have I missed? With those names...there were more dominant big men in the league than today!

Of course there were more dominant big men in the league than today. Yet, Ratliff greatness doesn't belong to the 90s, he got better in this decade. I would consider mentioning Kevin Willis as a great force of the 90s. Kevin Duckworth, Rony Seikaly, Brad Daugherty, even the same Moses Malone, those were other big guys who played the game during the 90s. George Muresan, he was pretty good when he joined the league.

And what bout Mitch Richmond (He's getting his jersey retired!).

Richmond got famous with the Run TMC for playing together with Hardaway & Mullin, the 3 of them scoring over 21 ppg, however he got much better when he joined the Kings for the trade that brought Webber rights to Golden State.

Was Reggie Miller feared by most teams?

Reggie has his history but that doesn't mean most of the teams were affraid of him. I would love to mention his teacher instead, Chuck Person, that's the guy you were supposed to be affraid of as Reggie would do his stuff one particular night, this other would've killed you in any given chance.

Joe Dumars is a player I want to know more about...

Dumars was one of those who could do a terrific job offensively & def. without making so much noise like today's players, he (taking all the credits from the mastermind Daly was) would neutralize your offense and all you would say was the other guy had a bad night, but for real Dumars was the main cause. He was never recognized as a huge scorer but he managed to score over 20, he was great.

And what bout the players whose names haven't survived till today and were guys who were pretty good?

Sorry, there were too many. Most of them were coming from the 80s & some of them were just raising stars.

[Fresh8]

What did Magic Johnson do (Average...help the team?) when he attempted a comeback with the Lakers?

[Andrew]

He played 32 games in the second half of the season, starting 9 of them. He averaged 14.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 6.9 apg, and helped them finish 53-29.

[Fresh8]

Pretty decent stats for him...how sick was he...or how much did his HIV make him weaker? Do u know?

[Andrew]

Magic Johnson was and still is in good health. He's been looking after himself from Day 1, though he's no longer in great playing shape now that he's in his 40s. Back in 1996 he was still heavier than he was in his prime, but the main reason his numbers are low is he was coming off the bench, playing around 28 mpg.

[Fresh8]

So, I take it that not many ppl in this forum know much bout the 90's NBA? Oh well, I guess I'll have to read bout the players!

[Matt]

i have a decent memory of 95+, but before that its real vague

[GloveGuy]

Gary Payton, the greatest defensive point guard of the era. Better than Kidd and probably just as good as Stockton in my mind. He and Shawn Kemp were like Kidd and Kenyon except better and more exciting.

Mookie Blaylock led the league in steals a number of times.

Kevin Johnson always seems to be forgotten in the list of great point guards in the 90s. He, Barkley, and Majerlie were a great three-some in the mid-90s.

Guys like Steve Smith, Stacey Augmon, Laphonso Ellis, and Jim Jackson actually had some really good years. Smith was an all-star and the other three were just a shade below all-star level some year.

Shaq dominated in basketball, but was the exact opposite in the studio. Surprisingly, he''s produced quite a bit of rap albums, yet was always awful and corny.

Probably the best series I ever saw or got into was the Bulls-Pacers in 97-98, especially game four(might've been three). With two seconds left, the Pacers have the inbound pass, Reggie pushes off of Michael, gets the ball, turns around and nails the three for the lead. The Bulls take a timeout with .7 seconds left, inbound it to Jordan who takes a catch-and-shoot, RIMS out. It was everything it had to be but in the basket. Turns around in anger to see Larry Bird's face right there on the sideline. Great game, bad Pacer haircuts.

[Damien War]

Everybodies forgot about Penny, Lil Penny, and his unbelievably expensive kicks even by todays standards.

[PoliceLineDoNotCross]

Everybodies forgot about Penny, Lil Penny, and his unbelievably expensive kicks even by todays standards.

i was just about to say that.

penny was huge in the 90's. he was almost up there with jordan.

[Gripni]

In response to your questions about Luc Longely and Shawn Bradley, they both sucked. Shawn Bradely was a decent starter for a while, but most of the time he played like a wasted #2 overall.

Christian Laettner was good. Theo Ratliff is better now than he was in the 90's. Vlade Divac was good, but not the type that you would be scared of. Sabonis is one of the best passing big men. Anthony Mason was a good rebounder, but he had chemistry problems. Dennis Rodman was a great rebounder and defender, but was bad at offense and had a really bad temper. He had the skills of Ben Wallace and the personality of Ron Artest.

[GloveGuy]

Isiah Rider was clean, for some of the time.

[- Ace -]

Probably the best series I ever saw or got into was the Bulls-Pacers in 97-98, especially game four(might've been three). With two seconds left, the Pacers have the inbound pass, Reggie pushes off of Michael, gets the ball, turns around and nails the three for the lead. The Bulls take a timeout with .7 seconds left, inbound it to Jordan who takes a catch-and-shoot, RIMS out.

I thought Jordan slipped on the floor and didn't take a shot. And then Costas has an orgasimic reaction, "It's going to game 7!" or something.

[GloveGuy]

Nope that was Game 6. I'm talking about Game 4, another great game in that series.

[Filip]

Kemp had some nasty ass dunks in his prime days.
Payton throught to him from anywhere.
Was mention should is that Kemp only weight about 240 these days.

What about Larry Johnsson when playing with the Charlotte Hornet before injuring his back? I've never seen that Slam Dunk comp. he was in, but what I heard it was great. Can anyone tell me about it?

Why mention Theo Ratliff, Was he good in the 90s? I didn't even know he existed in the NBA in the 90s

BTW: Anyone remember Baby Jordan, the player that got destroyed by all hype.
Harold Miner!

[Dan's Brain]

Thunder Dan Majerle. Now there's a player I miss. Actually, the 90s were a really good time for white guys. Majerle, Mark Price, Christian Laettner and Googs when they were good. Detlef Schrempf, and the incomparable Gheorghe Muresan

[Robby]

What about Larry Johnsson when playing with the Charlotte Hornet before injuring his back? I've never seen that Slam Dunk comp. he was in, but what I heard it was great. Can anyone tell me about it?

If you imagine someone with Shaq's power and Shawn Marion's athleticism, you get a young LJ. He could also be thought of as a smaller but stronger and more skilled version of Amare.

[DrNick]

BTW: Anyone remember Baby Jordan, the player that got destroyed by all hype.
Harold Miner!

Who is Harold Miner?!

[TheBigEasy]

So, I take it that not many ppl in this forum know much bout the 90's NBA? Oh well, I guess I'll have to read bout the players!

You cant expect people to give you a long summary for hundreds of players and 10 years of basketball history .

For myself, I only have some kind of memory of the '93 and '94 seasons, after that I havent had much chance to stay informed.

10 years back Charlotte was quite good, with 'Zo Mourning, Grandma Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues (he was the reason I became a fan of them).

Charles Barkley and the Suns were one of the best teams in the league, of course Shaq dominated in the east, Mutombo was still Mount Mutombo, one of the most feared defenders in the league and the Bulls came of a 3 peat just to start another couple of years later.

I'd love to have ESPN Classics over here in Germany to watch some old games ... that would be nice.

TheBigEasy

[EGarrett]

Let's see here...

but I did want to know...- no not bout Jordan and Pippen...but
about the different big men and their impact in the games they played....I mean, there was Alonzo Mourning, Dikeme Mutombo, Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwan, Theo Ratliff....David Robertson....who else have I missed? With those names...there were more dominant big men in the league than today!

Ewing for one was really strong and mobile for a 7-footer. He was a pretty dominant rebounder also. On offense he was probably the best jump-shooting center ever...his post-up game consisted of a running hook and a turnaround fadeaway jumper. He could also step back when his guard's penetrated and knock down the 12-16 foot outside shot all day. His problem, however, was that he never seemed to step-up or win the big game...and he dominated the ball a lot. He never seemed to have a sense of when to play to take over and when not to. He also didn't have great hands.

Dikembe Mutombo...was and is 7'2" with huge hands (and feet) and freaky long arms. I know...I've spoken with him while he was looking down at me. He had great timing and would challenge any shot that came around the basket. He's also very tough and strong and knew how to use his elbows to intimidate and move others. Don't ask about his offense though. He has a little up-and-under move and a running hook but both are robotic and ugly...he also has trouble catching passes. Not a scorer. But probably second to Bill Russell as the greatest defensive center ever.

David Robinson...really fast, graceful and athletic. Good hops for a 7'1" guy. Also had a pretty good midrange jumpshot. Ran the fast break real well and would 360 dunk sometimes. Wasn't especially tough but his athleticism made up for it. He scored 71 points in a game.

Hakeem Olajuwon...the Alpha Dog among the great 90's centers. The most versatile post player ever. Was only about 6'11" but dominated because he had about 10-15 moves in the post. A jump hook...a Kevin McHale up-and-under...a face-up jumper...a nice pump fake and variations on most all of these moves. Was also a great passer out of the post and had nice handles when he chose to use them. When the Rockets played the Spurs...on one play he isolated David Robinson on the baseline and faced him up...he then gave Robinson a killer-crossover (fake to one side and cross over) which Robinson bit on...then he got to the basket...stopped on a dime and faked like he was going to spin to the right (and moved the ball out along with it...this was called the Dream Shake) which made Robinson jump...then he took it back the other way and gave him a pumpfake...which Robinson recovered just in time to fall for and jump again...then he leaned under him and laid it up easily. The guy knew how to play and no one could stop him. He also was dominant on defense...he would strip opposing centers all the time when they'd try to post him up. He also had great timing on shot blocking and is the league's all-time leader in that category. Simply amazing.

How good was Kemp and Vin Baker? And what bout Mitch Richmond (He's getting his jersey retired!). Was Reggie Miller feared by most teams? And what bout the players whose names haven't survived till today and were guys who were pretty good?

Shawn Kemp was the most athletic player over 6'9" ever. He went 6'10" 256 pounds and could run and LEAP...one foot...two foot...it didn't matter...he probably had nearly a 40" vertical. He was the greatest alley-oop finisher ever...and the only player I've ever seen who made a habit of catching and dunking them on the way UP. Meaning he hadn't reached the peak of his jump yet. And he didn't need a running start. He could just go straight up from a standing position and dunk with two hands easily. He also was a good post player who made quick spins to the basket and finished hard. One of the few post players ever to abuse Dennis Rodman. He was just too big, strong, fast and athletic for the Worm to guard. He was lightning quick on the fast break too. He'd finish so hard and with so much flourish that every dunk looked like a highlight. He earned the nickname the Reignman. Unfortunately over time all his talent has been buried under a mountain of cocaine, cellulite and illegitimate children...and I don't think it will ever be seen again.

Not a lot of people know much about Richmond because he was never on TV for most of his prime years. He could shoot the lights out though and was probably the best shooting guard in the league after Jordan in the 90's.

Reggie Miller might be the best long range shooter ever. Also one of the greatest clutch players ever. He couldn't create his own shot but he knew how to run his man off picks to get open. He also knew how to get away with bending the rules. As was said earlier he won one game in the playoffs by blatantly shoving Michael Jordan on the ground then hitting an open three. He made a habit of beating on the New York Knicks also. My memory isn't exact...but he beat them one time by hitting a jumper...then hitting a three when the Pacers got the ball back...then...stealing the ball and hitting another three seconds later. The Kicks were up something like 6 points with 10 seconds left and he won the game. He then bowed to the MSG crowd who wanted to hang him. He wasn't very athletic...or strong...or a great defender...but he could shoot...boy, he could shoot.

Kevin Johnson was great. You really should watch Penny Hardaway's old tapes if you could...he had it all...court vision...shooting...athleticism... passing.

Joe Dumars is a player I want to know more about...Tim Hardaway- how good was he? Can anyone who knows tons bout the 90's NBA tell me bout these guys or anyone who was interesting/good?!

All I can tell you about Joe Dumars is that he was a very smart player. Great defender...I think Jordan said that Dumars gave him the most trouble of anyone. He could also play point or shooting guard...had a nice jumper and a very strong handshake if I do say so myself.

Now Tim Hardaway...that guy had awesome handles. You could NOT...TAKE...THE BALL...FROM TIM HARDAWAY. He dribbled about 8 inches off the ground and could move the ball anywhere. As was said he popularized the between-the-legs crossover and the fake one-direction and cross the other move. He could get by anyone with them too. That combined with his deadeye pull-up shooting (he could pull-up off the dribble and shoot in mid-air and nail it) should tell you why he used to average 20 points and 10 assists every year. Was only about 5'11" but was a great blanket defender too..before his body gave out he could stick to anyone including Allen Iverson.

Is that enough info for ya?