whiteathlete33 said:
Alworth No.19 said:
AK is a remarkable player, but he had a huge drop off in production after 06. He seems to be bouncing back somewhat, but he's not nearly back to his peak, when he was easily one of the best players in the league, and one of the most unusual. Twenty years ago, if a player had that kind of drop off without a serious injury one would suspect that he had a drug problem, but AK just seems to have just fallen apart for no apparent reason. Didn't he and Sloan have falling out that caused AK to go into a funk? His offensive game isn't really suited for Utah. He would be dynamite on Phoenix; he's tailor-made for Nash ball. AK is still only 28, so there's time for him to rebound completely - if he gets in the right system and he makes the effort.
I remember one commentator once saying if any player in the league has a chance to get a quadruple double it would be AK. I could see him getting at least ten points, ten rebounds, ten assists, and ten blocks in a game. It is a long shot but he has that potential.
Absolutely. From 04 -06 AK looked like potential MVP. His mix of skills was highly unusual, and his defense was top notch. He was a real lock-down defender, capable of matching straight up with Kobe, LeBron, anyone. Then he just dropped off dramatically. It seems that many of the talented Europeans are content to reach a certain level and then coast. It must be difficult for them to come over here and take charge of a team: I imagine they run into a great deal of hostility from teammates. The Argentines, on the other hand, don't seem to have this problem. Both Nocioni and Ginoboli come to play with a take no prisoners attitude. Give AK Nocioni's attitude and AK would be in contention for the MVP. Heck, give Darko Nocioni's motor and Darko might win defensive player of the year.
I thought Barkley or Olajuwon had a Quadruple double at some point. Didn't Kidd? I'm sure Kidd had a Quad with points/assists/rebounds/turnovers. Not necessarily what you'd like to see, though. Wait a minute. . . I just answered my own question: there have been four quads: Olajuwon, David Robinson, Alvin Robertson, and Nate Thurmond. (The internet is amazing.) I should have thought of Roberston. I'm surprised Fat Lever didn't get one, or Jordan - or Bird or Magic. I'm sure that back in the day West Baylor, Oscar, Wilt, Russell, Pettit, and many of the old timers managed the feat. The year Wilt led the league in assists he must have had several. With AK's mix of skills he could get a Quint (points/assists/rebounds/blocks/steals) if everything fell into place and he played 48 minutes or so.
Edited by: Alworth No.19