BALLER#3
Years ago
Who is the best player to play NBL in terms of their entire career. Not just including NBL but players that have played NBA etc. Who has the best basketball career as a whole and has suited up for an NBL club?
Stephen Jackson by a country mile.
He's gone from the NBL to the NBA and already made nearly $50 million.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksst02.html
Kirk Penney
2 NBA teams
1 NBL MVP
1 NBL Championship
1 NCAA Final 4
Andrew Gaze and then antartctic summer daylight second. hello?
Chuck Norris
Years ago
Brett Maher (The greatest player & the money man)
3 championships
(How many other players have won 3 championships, cant think of any of the top of my head ??)
How many did Heal win, 3 I think ??
Who else has a court named after them ??
Mystro
Years ago
Chuck Norris, CJ Bruton has won 3 or 4 NBL Championships
BJF
Years ago
Longley did play for the Wildcats and then got NBA titles and the big cash. I would say he is > than Cap Jack.
Chuck Norris:
Cattalini won 4 championships
Rees won 4
Stiff won 6
Jez
Years ago
To the person who said:
"Kirk Penney
2 NBA teams
1 NBL MVP
1 NBL Championship
1 NCAA Final 4"
how about
Andrew Gaze
2 NBA teams
1 NBA Championship
7 NBL MVPs
2 NBL Championships
1 NCAA Final 4 (or Final 2)
5 Olympics
The scoring record leader in Olympics
2nd leading scorer in World Champs
All-time leading scorer in NBL
1984 NBL rookie of the year
A cameo in Neighbours
Kirk Penney was probably the best NZ'er to ever play NBL though ...
KingJames
Years ago
It is hard to define what is best.
Best for career in the NBL = Gaze
Best import playing several season in the NBL = Any number of players.
Best player that went on to greater things in the NBA = Jackson followed by Rick Brunson
Gaze also has won a NBA championship with the spurs
Mystro
Years ago
Andrew Gaze end thread/
Penney is the best Basketball player to ever come out of NZ hands down.
There is a guy I remember watching called Andrew Gaze who would feature pretty highly on this list. Anyone remember him?
Mick
Years ago
But it just has to be Gaze. No question.
If the NBA was as international then as it was now, and teams weren't afraid to draft foreigners, he'd have had a chance earlier on in the NBA.
Jackie C
Years ago
KingJames: would you have to include Luc Longley under best player who went on to better things in the NBA?
Yeah, I'm probably a bit bored. Wish the game was tonight.
ineedmore
Years ago
Somehow I became Jackie C. Apologies Jackie, whoever you are.
thedoctor
Years ago
Thread title isn't clear. Based on original post, thread should be 'best player ever to suit in the NBL' or similar. Stephen Jackson probably wins that argument
Entire Career- Stephen Jackson, no question, Luc Longley is not even close to this guy.
NBL career- Andrew Gaze, that is no debate.
But the most skilled and the player with the most talent i have seen in the league in the last 5-10 years would be Donta Smith, his numbers don't show it, but the way he played against the Tigers in that Finals series was ridiculous, that was an entire class above the rest of the competition.
In terms of actual NBL play Andrew Gaze obviously.
But as the OP states in terms of overall career it's Stephen Jackson and anyone who says otherwise is soft in the head. Aside from the $50 million he's averaged over 20ppg in three NBA seasons, FFS.
Longley was a role player in the NBA not a gun.
Ricey
Years ago
How can people say Gaze... Jackson would destroy him in both of their primes. We are talking talent, not NBL championships
Big Ads
Years ago
Ray Owes makes an all star team in this discussion, maybe 2nd or 3rd teams. Doug O had a solid NBA career.
Moses Guthrie
Years ago
Andrew Gaze ..... and a cameo in Neighbours.
Let's not forget an exceptional performance on Dancing With The Stars!
IF best player not taking into account team achievements and just individual talent, Julius Hodge easily.
Isaac
Years ago
Not really. Even someone like Carlos Powell outdid him, IMO.
Mystro
Years ago
agree Isaac, Carlos Powell was pretty talented and had his way offensively with most teams.
Andrew Gaze for sure!! But Steph Jackson, Luc Longley, Chris Anstey, Ricky Grace, Chris Jent, CJ Bruton and Doug Overton are a good mix as well at different positions.
harry
Years ago
cant think of anyone else thats won 3 nbl c/s's?
ummm
mark davis anyone?
only played for 17 years in one uniform
over 5000 rebounds
number two
behind gaze
no doubt the best
adam
Years ago
Andrew Gaze, without a doubt. I seriously get freaked when people use the "he plays in the NBA" as a blind rationale for one player being better than another. There have been literally 100's of role players in the NBA who couldn't hold a candle to Gaze. Stephen Jackson is talented, no question, but I don't think he is a better player than Gaze was in his prime. He is a different type of player, more athletic (virtually all players are more athletic than A Gaze) but honestly, both players in their prime, and I am starting a franchise, I would choose Andrew Gaze over Stephen Jackson.
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