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Adams: SEC's best 75: Maravich, King 1-2 picks
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The SEC is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Until last week, my birthday contributions hadn't included so much as a candle.
But thanks to Gainesville Sun sports columnist Pat Dooley, I finally got caught up in the festivities. I participated in his poll to select the top 75 basketball players in league history.
Never mind that basketball in the SEC often has been overshadowed by football. When you start ranking the best basketball players in this conference, you appreciate what an outstanding basketball conference this has been.
Of course, you should have realized that already. Florida has won back-to-back national championships, and the conference has won five national championships in the last 14 years. Not bad for a football league, huh?
The long line of individual stars is just another reminder how good the SEC has been in basketball.
There was no set criteria for ranking the players. I relied on statistics, all-SEC teams and tried not to be influenced by pro careers.
The No. 1 pick was easy. There's a reason LSU named its arena after Pete Maravich.
He averaged an NCAA-record 44.2 points per game for his career (without the advantage of the 3-point line) and was named SEC player of the year in each of his three college seasons. His flamboyant style also made him the biggest crowd draw in SEC history, and numerous NBA stars practiced Maravich's ball-handling drills in developing their games.
While I watched Maravich play every home game, I rarely saw my No. 2 pick, Tennessee's Bernard King.
King's numbers speak for themselves. He made 59 percent of his field-goal attempts while averaging 25.8 points per game for his three-year career. He was a three-time All-American and one of eight players twice selected as the SEC player of the year.
LSU center Shaquille O'Neal was my third pick. Other than Maravich, he's the only SEC player ever honored as national player of the year.
The rest of my top 10 included LSU's Bob Pettit, Kentucky's Dan Issel, Mississippi State's Bailey Howell, UT's Dale Ellis, LSU's Chris Jackson, Kentucky's Kenny Walker, and Auburn's Charles Barkley.
Most voters wouldn't rank Ellis quite that high. But he was an exceptional all-around player who could post up or score from the perimeter and was twice named SEC player of the year. Ellis played in a slow-tempo offense (pre-shot clock) without the advantage of the 3-point shot at which he excelled in the NBA.
UT's Allan Houston, who starred on bad teams, and Ernie Grunfeld, who teamed up with King in the late 1970s, also made my top 15.
If I had to pick an all-time SEC starting five (limited to players I saw play in college), I would start with Maravich at point guard, O'Neal at center and King at small forward.
The most competitive position would be power forward. I would give an edge to Issel over Barkley and Walker. As good as Barkley was in the pros, Issel - a two-time All-American -- was better in college.
Jackson would be my pick for shooting guard. Although many SEC players surpassed him in the pros, he had the third highest scoring average in league history.
Ole Miss guard Johnny Neumann did even less in the pros. And since he played only one year in the SEC, I wondered if he would even make the top 75 in Dooley's poll. But enough voters remembered his one spectacular season.
A native of Memphis, Neumann picked up where Maravich left off. Although he didn't have Maravich's quickness or ball-handling skills, he did have his shooting range. Neumann averaged 40.1 points per game as a 6-foot-6 guard in 1970-71.
The results of Dooley's poll will be announced Thursday. The 75-player list will include eight Vols.
Can you name them?
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by murrayvol on March 11, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Starting with King, Grunfeld, Ellis, Houston, Lofton, Widby, Davis, and someone from among a host of Volunteers.
Posted by pearlific on March 11, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BOYCOTT any Adams article!
Posted by rockyknox on March 11, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams, don't try to smooze the gallery. You have shown your true colors way too many times.
Posted by rootin4volz on March 11, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares what you think, John, until you step out of that Egyptian River, towel off, and apologize for your horribly ill-advised article calling for Coach Fulmer's job.
Posted by Couchdummy on March 11, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
king, houston, grunfield, a.w. davis, ellis, widby, harris, and bayne.
Posted by Couchdummy on March 11, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to Rootin4volsz: Egyptian River? Please explain. I am not trying to be cute, just don't understand the meaning??
Posted by LiveFaith on March 11, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shameless. Adams attempts a "Rocky Top homer-is-me" article. KNS, do a good thing and send this guy packing. He has is a cancer to your sports coverage due to the obvious self-glorification approach.
I officially join the Adams boycott too. Only ignoring and reading somewhere else can bring change.
Posted by rootin4volz on March 11, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on March 11, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep up the good work John. Watch how many fans you will have after another 5-6. Keep speaking the truth my man. Sometimes it hurts.
Posted by anthony on March 11, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i guess couchdummy's name is not in vain, is it? Another real DA in my book, but then he may be a she, or another teenager at large.
Posted by anthony on March 11, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
keep up the good work, John, so i won't have to. I can just continue to read your slop and call it a day.
Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on March 11, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THE TRUTH HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 10 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Hunter on March 12, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
.....and John Adams's purple and gold comes out! Maravich is fine as #1, but 4 LSU players in the top 10? Methinks not.......
Posted by OwensboroVol on March 12, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RockyKnox how about being quiet. I'm tired of all you idiots who think neither the coaches or players can do no wrong. Adams was completely right about Fulmer. In another couple of years or so you will be screaming to high heaven for them to fire him. Look at our recruiting, we were actually having to beat out Kentucky and Vandy for players. That my friend is an embarassment. Four years from now, if Fulmer is still there, We will be lucky to win 5 games a year unless we get Hawaii's scheduling head.
Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on March 12, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
agree Owensboro Vol.
Posted by LargeOrange on March 12, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OwensboroVol? and PLEASEGETRIDOFTHEOFTHEIDIOTWITHTHESTUPIDSCREENNAME - Why don't you be quiet? CPF is here, he is going to be here for a while, and all of your doomsday whining is monotionous, boring and pointless. Why not try being a fan and get exicited about our team and the possibilities we have in front of us over the next years, if you can't do that, why not just go away?
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 12, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
give it up Pearlific with your rediculous Adams boycott----you cant even do it----you're here arent you??????
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 12, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
give it up Pearlific with your rediculous Adams/ we'll have no freedom of speech boycott----you cant even do it----you and the other boycotters are still here posting his articles arent you---lol??????
Posted by newtonrail on March 12, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PLEASE-----you must really like that All Caps key and exclamation point. I would like to tell where to stick Adam's ink pen, but it might get me banned.
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 12, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FOR THE LAST TIME:
If you dislike John Adams that much DO NOT READ HIS ARTICLES OR HIS POSTED COLUMNS!!!! Do you really think you're making a point by reading his stuff then making ridiculous comments like "BOYCOTT ADAMS!" or "NOONE CARES WHAT YOU SAY ADAMS!!"
You are sitting there READING IT, so obviously you care and you aren't boycotting anything.
I'm not an Adams supporter, nor do I dislike him all that much, but noone wants to hear you men acting like a bunch of whiney women. Don't you want your girlfriends and wives to drop it when you've done something dumb? But yet, they keep nagging and b*tching... which is exactly what all of you are doing.
MOVE ON! and GO VOLS!
Posted by 55Vol on March 12, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PLEASEGETRIDOF....yemmusdarb....and all of you other Adams bootlickers...... the guy has a right express his opinion. He does not have a right to let his personal vendetta against Fulmer spill over into his columns. If he thinks he can, so can those of us who have ZERO respect for this loser of a Sports Editor. He runs a sport page about as well as you and he thinks Fulmer runs a football program.
Posted by TheVolMan on March 12, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah, the whining weenies are out again this morning, bashing John Adams at every chance. I wonder if you'll be doing this in a couple of years? Yes, JA will still be at the KNS if he wants. What will you be doing? Still trying to get that boycott off the ground? LOL...
Posted by jimr07 on March 12, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PLEASEGITRID--how in the hell can you turn your hatred for fulmer in a basketball article. you must lead a really lousy life to feel that way about anyone. You are the slime.
Posted by dash727 on March 12, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
slime is greasy. Rumor has it he lurks on other web sites preying on unsuspecting vulnerable morons to solicit his warped anti-vol jibberish. His deep and vile desire is to be one of "boycott Johnny" Adams cheerleaders. They are both miserable and lonely.
Posted by jimr07 on March 12, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dash727---good post. He must be a miserable lonely man to have that much hate and venom agains anyone.
Posted by rbhobbs73 on March 12, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
King, Grunfeld, Reggie Johnson, Ellis, Houston, Lofton, Widby and A.W. Davis.
That is my prediction for the 8 on the list..
Others guaranteed to be on there....
Dominique Wilkins, Rex Chapman, Kyle Macy, Shan Foster, Will Perdue, Reggie King, Chuck Person, Vern Fleming, Todd Day, Corliss Williamson, Gerald Glass, Vernon Maxwell, Jamal Mashburn, CLyde Lee....
Posted by Bigger_Al on March 12, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams eats worms.
I'm surprised Bama Demigod Paul Finebaum didn't give you some opportunity to denigrate UT in a poll of his.
Posted by CurtNYC on March 12, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When you look at the names of those LSU players in his top 10, it's kind of hard to argue with it. I would actually have Chris Jackson higher on the list. He's the best scorer I've ever seen in college. Absolutely unstoppable, and could get his shot off at any time. I remember a game where he and Houston each put up 40 something against each other in a rediculous display. He was like that game after game after game.
Posted by gator4life on March 12, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The list was composed by Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun and he used 13 sports writers that cover the SEC. No one can argue about Maravich being the best...there has been 49 times where a player has scored 50 points in the history of the SEC and Maravich has 28 of them. Go read article on:
gatorsports.com
A couple other notes: Ky has nearly half of the 75 players on the list. I was surprised by the high number of UT players on there with as little success the Vols have had in the NCAA tournament.
Posted by rootin4volz on March 12, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John, like most members of the media, are convinced that their self-serving poopie doesn't stink. That was the part of the comment that I'm sure got removed by the "site staff." Probably because they think their self-serving poopie doesn't stink.
And to re-clarify for you, Couchdummy, in case you missed it before it got removed, Denial is the river in Egypt.
Posted by BADGES0413 on March 12, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One thing that did not surprise me is that Flordia (with their 5 year basketball tradition) had 2 players in the top 35. Neal (who) Walk and Yannick Noah's daughter Yokeem cracked the top 35.
Posted by rootin4volz on March 12, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, fellas...Guys like John Adams in the media will scream 1st amendment when they write offensive articles, i.e. Adams' article calling for Fulmer's job (even when a PLETHORA of NCAA football programs across the country are experiencing MUCH worse crimes being committed by their player...with multiple cases at the same schools in some instances).
However, offend ever so slightly, or hit the media boys right where they're hiding (behind the 1st amendment, serving their own self-promotive, self aggrandizing interests) and you'll see that same right to free speech vanish before your eyes. Hence the following: (This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Sheer hypocrisy.
Posted by UltraVolDavid on March 12, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My vote would go for King, Grunfeld, Reggie Johnson, Ellis, Houston, Lofton, Widby, and Tony White. Very close, rbhobbs73!
And as far as Shaq...he's a talentless oaf who can dunk and block shots nothing more.
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 12, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dan Issel, Kenny Walker, Kyle Macy, Pete Maravich and Shaq. We would take all-comers and beat you down like a monkey on a cupcake.
Posted by nashvol on March 12, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame you didn't see Bernard King play more, John.
I saw Bernard & Pete play many, many times.
Bernard was a complete player, comfortably leading the league in scoring and then leading it in rebounding- all the while playing outstanding defense. He was, hands-down, the best player that ever played in Stokley.
Maravich was a magnificent. His pre-game exhibitions were legendary. But he was a one-dimensional scoring machine, who was the only available offense on those very bad LSU teams. He was, hands-down, the best scorer that ever played at Stokley, but he was no Bernard King.
Posted by rbhobbs73 on March 12, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny Air Force but I will take Shaq, Pistol Pete, Bernard King, Allan Houston, and Dale Ellis and wax ALL of the Kentucky players on that list....as long as Dale Brown or Press Maravich is not allowed to coach them....Wade Houston, Buzz Peterson or Jerry Green either...LOL!
Posted by jimr07 on March 12, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vPosted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on March 11, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THE TRUTH HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 10 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you act like we have won national championship a lot. you say none in ten years. i would like to ask you, prior to 98 when was the last time we won a NC? 47 years i think. so, we have 37 to go.
you are a mean spirited vindictive person.
Posted by trl_x on March 12, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bernard King was the greatest player I ever saw. I always thought the most impressive thing about King was that he averaged (I think) 14 rebounds a game during his UT career at a generous 6-7. He owned the boards.
Why is AirFartOne still here?
Posted by bricker865 on March 12, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
trl_x....b/c some people have a lot of extra time on their hands instead of mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage, or the occasional viewage of their own forums.
Posted by GoVol on March 12, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams - know one cares what you think...so stop putting it in ink because it isn't getting read by too many!
Posted by GoVol on March 12, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oops. Meant to say ' no one' not 'know one'.
Posted by warriorman86 on March 12, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GoVol-if no one cares what adams thinks then why are there more comments on his story then anyone else's? Also, if you dont care about what John Adams thinks then why are you posting on here?
Posted by littleorange on March 12, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I still REFUSE to read any Adams articles.....He needs to be replaced as sports editor.
Posted by rootin4volz on March 12, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm...must have been that I said that John thinks his s*&t don't stink instead of saying his poopie. Geez...I meant his sEAt.
Hahahahaha!!
Posted by King30 on March 12, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
King, Grunfeld, Widby, Houston, Ellis, White, Lofton, AND JAJUAN SMITH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 12, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
55_vol: Since you're obviously on the "inside", what exactly is John Adams' personal "vendetta" against Fulmer? I'd really like to know. Did Fulmer bang his mom? Because surely you have something specific in mind..... otherwise, there is no personal vendetta and all he is doing is expressing his opinion that Fulmer and UT need to seperate and move forward without each other. I mean, you, yourself, said he has the right to express his opinion. And unless you know of a reason he PERSONALLY does not like Fulmer.... you just vomitted from your mouth without covering your backside.
I'll be waiting for your answer because I'd really love to see what you know that I don't. I was under the assumption that John Adams noticed Fulmer's lack of SEC championships, National championships, and over winning % against top tier teams over the past 8-10 years as his sole basis for that now INFAMOUS article that you women love to whine and complain about. BUUUUT since you're obviously the "insider" here, I'll let you tell me what his personal vendetta against Fulmer is.
tick tock tick tock
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 12, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
little orange: way to refuse to read his articles when you're commenting....here.... on.... HIS ARTICLES!!!
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 12, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rootin4volz: that's not hipocracy, it's keeping a muzzle on rednecks like yourself that decide to curse on a message board about basketball, while referring to a football article written over a month ago in regards to a completely different topic.
freedom of speech and disturbing the peace always seem to find a crosshair.
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 12, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yemmusdarb, yes it truly halarious--the koolaiders have the blinders strapped on so tight it cuttin off circulation to the brain----they just dont see the lunacy of coming to and reading and posting evey Adams article while urging boycott----John Adams has to be rolling on the floor in laughter over these proclaimed boycotters who think freedom of speech is only allowed if the speech agrees with them-----these same folk would be calling for radio stations to be shut down if they themselves ie were a Hillary support and the radio talk show guy was criticizing/condemning her-----small minded people IMO if so unreceptive by anothers opinion
Posted by ORANGEuGLADuraVOL on March 12, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
VOTE BEST GOVOLSEXTRA POSTER::::
1. Greervol22
2. yemmusdarb
3. VolJunkie
4. tngeoff
I think it's a tie between 2/4 myself, but noone's perfect
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 13, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No one is even close to Pistol Pete and Bernard King. Not even debatable. After those two, there were a lot of great players and the water gets a little muddy.
Airforceone - No one denies the success that Kentucky has over the years, but it must rub you the wrong way that no KY player has ever been as good as King. He beat you twice one year when you only had two losses. He dominated your KY boys with 5 wins out of 6 tries. He was so bold he even said TN would never lose to KY as long as he was playing at UT and he backed it up.
Posted by rbhobbs73 on March 13, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen General! Bernard was THE MAN.
Posted by Vols4Ever on March 13, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Earnie and Bernie show was a sight to see. No one ever could get the ball at his hip, turn, shoot and make a basket like Bernard. Quickest ever and continued it in the pros through three knee injuries. Too bad him and Jamie Walker wearing a dress weren't quicker.
Even though I bleed orange, Pistol Pete was the best. Could take over a game and make the other team watch in wonder. Smooth as 25 year old Scotch.
Posted by Colliervol on March 13, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amazing how many one trick ponys we have for "fans". Another good basketball article to discuss and what do we get? More Fulmer talk. Of course, when one can't carry on a conversation on the subject at hand, I guess we should expect a steady diet of the only thing they know. "Fire Phil" or "Can BP coach football?" If we were to win a national title in b-ball, I'm waiting for those to pop up on the first article the next morning.
I guess all schools have "fans" as shallow as this but I'm beginning to wonder if they have as many as we do.
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