Who is the best player in BBL history?

[SamH]

Bit of fun while the summer drags on. Probably no absolute answer the majority would agree on, like MJ for the NBA. And of course none of us have seen every player over the decades, so its a subjective question. But who would you go for?

And I mean proper players who did at least a season here, so no Dennis Rodmans please, much as I'm a big fan of his!

[naenia]

I’m very new to the BBL so would love to hear what players had some longevity back in the day …

But Sam Dekker must take some beating from a pedigree standpoint, no?

[massiveridersfan]

Lonnie Legette - for sentimental/nostalgic reasons I can't give any other answer, no matter what my head says.

[tallerman]

Its Alton Byrd hands down no debate

[spacejammer]

Honestly I have no idea on this one.
Although while they tend to bang on about who the best player in the NBA was/is in the BBL I feel we tend to talk more about who the best coach the league has ever is/had.

I have only really followed the league since 2011/12 so I can only comment on players I seen the past few seasons.

If I thought it about it hard I could probably list a few especially for the Eagles.

-Rahmon Fletcher
-Scott Martin
-Charles Smith
-Darius Defoe (probably must hold a record for longest BBL playing career)

Although I have also liked players like
-Geno Crandell
-Ovie Soko is a strong player but not seen much in terms of BBL achievements
-Sam Decker
-Kieran Achara
-Gareth Murray

It depends on what your measuring it by as well.
Unlike the NBA some of the really talented might only stay around for a season and never be seen again.

So their is a good chance you forget or miss a fantastic player because they only played one season.
I'm guessing to qualify they must have to have won League MVP or a finals MVP?

[D44]

For me (not remembering the 90s or early to mid 00s) I'd say Charles Smith, with Fletch a very very close second.


But I understand why people who've been around a lot longer than me would think that was nonsense from some of the old games I've watched, historic stats and that the league was much stronger in the 90s.

[dexter]

I have only been following for a few years. Since I have been watching Sam Decker has been the standout player without question.

[SamH]

I would think you could start with guys who either were in the NBA before or after the BBL. Loren Meyer, John Amaechi, Steve Bucknall spring to mind going back to the 90s. Kosta Koufas last season spent time there. Must be loads more.

Best coach - I may be biased but surely Nick Nurse? He had a lot of success with different teams in the BBL and has gone on to reach the highest level possible, AND win an NBA championship.

[isthaturinal]

Alan Cunningham or Colin Irish.

As a young Riders fan I regularly remember these pair demolishing pretty much anything that stood in their way.

[bullets92]

It really took 10 posts for someone to mention Tony Dorsey? End of discussion.

[reallyoldfeenixfan2]

Are we looking at a one season superstar eg Dekker or a player showing a high level of performance over a number of seasons?

[eagles18000]

Without wishing to spoil the fun it’s a ridiculous, vague, impossible question to answer.

Even looking at it statistically (which is in reality the only way to compare generations) is flawed, without even getting into issues such as the value of longevity or winning.

Nurse wasn’t actually that successful in the BBL. The coaching Mount Rushmore has to be Cadle, Finch, Flournoy and Paternostro.

[SamH]

It's deliberately vague to encourage more posts and debate! If we narrow the criteria down too much then the responses would be quite limited. Of course there's no definitive answer or right/wrong ones. I did say players who did at least a season though otherwise its Rodman by default (even though his games here weren't that good, but clearly he's the best all time player to have appeared in a BBL game)

[foxprorawks]

Dennis Rodman 

Seriously, most fans north of the border would probably go for Ted Berry.

However, my favourite was Sterling Davis. With honourable mentions to Rob Yanders and Gareth Murray.

[baldeagle]

Too many tremendous players to distinguish between and, yes, Dekker May end up being right up there.

But, for an oldie like me, it will take something extra special to beat Byrd.

[massiveridersfan]

Aug 7, 2023 22:13:48 GMT baldeagle said:

Too many tremendous players to distinguish between and, yes, Dekker May end up being right up there.

But, for an oldie like me, it will take something extra special to beat Byrd.

He made everything seem effortless and he looked to have all the time in the world.