{"id":31070,"date":"2020-05-26T13:43:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T17:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=31070"},"modified":"2020-05-26T13:43:44","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T17:43:44","slug":"fresh-nba-debates-no-one-is-talking-about-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/05\/26\/fresh-nba-debates-no-one-is-talking-about-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh NBA Debates No One is Talking About (Yet)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It is time to finally settle the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jordami01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Jordan<\/a><\/strong> versus <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a><\/strong> argument. Kidding. Since that horrid argument has long reached its asymptote, it seems like the perfect time for some fresh, new debate topics in the NBA world. These unique NBA debates will surely make anyone the life of the party and lead to a huge bump in their coolness factor.<\/p>\n<p>Exercise caution when debating these topics so as to not attract too many suitable mates at once.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>New NBA Debates that don&#8217;t Involve Michael Jordan or LeBron James<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>The Best (or Worst) Cult Following in the NBA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When debating which player has the best (or worst) cult following in the NBA, there are two options that seem to tower above the rest. Perhaps it is no incident that these players represent the two most prestigious franchises in the history of the league.<\/p>\n<p>First up is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/boston-celtics\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boston Celtics<\/a> guard <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smartma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Smart<\/a><\/strong>, commonly referred to as &#8220;Smarf&#8221; by his followers. His hustle and love for the game transformed him from a questionable pick at sixth overall into an absolute fan favorite. His leadership by example has been the most stable factor of Boston&#8217;s success in recent years. He was the glue that held things together throughout the rebuilding process, and now he is reaping the benefits of his patience.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I can&#39;t stop looking at this photo of Marcus Smart nonchalantly shoving Joel Embiid: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1ztpqPytNv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/1ztpqPytNv<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fycqcYAJHE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/fycqcYAJHE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Deadspin (@Deadspin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Deadspin\/status\/1108926452806889472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 22, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Though Smart has long led one of the most popular cults in basketball, he now has a worthy challenger in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/los-angeles-lakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> guard\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carusal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Caruso<\/a><\/strong>. In fact, even major media companies like BleacherReport have hopped on his bandwagon, posting so many memes about him, casual viewers may think he is actually a great player. Like Smart, he is loved for the hustle plays he makes on a daily basis, but he also has a unique trademark: he&#8217;s a short-statured, balding white guy. I guess the two of us have something in common, though it definitely isn&#8217;t athleticism.<\/p>\n<p>The next time a friend wants to argue James versus Jordan, throw them a curveball and pop the more important question. Who is the true cult king of the NBA?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Most Magnificent Mane<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If this question had been posed just a year ago, there&#8217;s no doubt <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baynear01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aron Baynes<\/a><\/strong> and his man-bun would be the clear-cut favorite. Sadly, though, the man-bun is a thing of the past. \u00a0At least there&#8217;s still the Aron Baynes Fan Club <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BaynesFanClub\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter account<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Who, then, has the most magnificent mane in the NBA? <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownja02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Brown<\/a><\/strong> cut his signature flat-top, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paytoel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elfrid Payton<\/a><\/strong> cut&#8230;whatever his hairstyle was called, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodmade01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dennis Rodman<\/a><\/strong> has long been retired.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I miss Elfrid Payton\u2019s hair; long live Elfrid Payton\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n<p>(Though now that he can, um, actually see, he\u2019s shooting 41.2% from 3 after 29.8 percent in rest of career). <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/U7K9TOeSTl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/U7K9TOeSTl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Reid Forgrave (@ReidForgrave) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ReidForgrave\/status\/1084279826956120064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 13, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps players like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong> could be mentioned with their simple, yet stylish, looks. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Adams<\/a><\/strong>&#8216; long locks combined with a stellar beard surely put him in contention. However, his signature look pales in comparison to the more famous Jason Momoa. But then again, competing with Aquaman is a little unfair. Is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Harden<\/a><\/strong> in on this competition? His hair\/beard combo is as famous as his 67-step non-travel step-back move.<\/p>\n<p>There may be no correct answer, but there are definitely a few wrong answers. This is one competition that LeBron James has no business being mentioned in.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Most Meme-able<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A few years ago, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgeeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JaVale McGee<\/a><\/strong> would have been a shoo-in for this award. He is undoubtedly the greatest legend in the history of &#8220;Shaqtin a Fool&#8221;, but those days seem to be behind him now. Thankfully, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/-q-W_1TUVPE\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube will have his lowlights<\/a> forever.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/brooklyn-nets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a> duo of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/irvinky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyrie Irving<\/a><\/strong> often fall victim to internet comedians due to their &#8220;woke&#8221; and &#8220;snake&#8221; personalities. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/howardw01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dwight Howard<\/a><\/strong> recently had a run-in with joke-makers when he missed some time due to an injury to his posterior. His alleged infatuation with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/oubreke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kelly Oubre<\/a><\/strong> brought a plethora of memes but has long been forgotten.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/e_carey98\/status\/1073787916852224007?s=20<\/p>\n<p>When considering former players turned &#8220;analysts&#8221;, the Boston duo of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/piercpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul Pierce<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/perkike01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kendrick Perkins<\/a><\/strong> have some takes so horrendous they might as well be jokes. They often end up on the wrong side of online comedy.<\/p>\n<p>However, there is no current front-runner for this title. When the NBA finally returns, they will need a hero. Not on the court, of course, but in the comment section on Twitter. The future of NBA memes is in flux with no true champion. This debate could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy if executed properly. Who will hold this high honor next?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Last Word on NBA Debates<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Creativity in the mainstream media seems to be dead. Every day, the airwaves are polluted with the same diluted arguments that have been raging for years now. In fact, some networks like FOX Sports have created entire shows based around hosts that will argue for or against LeBron James as the greatest basketball player to ever live. Every now and again they will venture out and argue about how much money <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PresDa01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dak Prescott<\/strong><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/cowboys\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Cowboys<\/a> deserves, but only during the dead period after the NBA Finals and before the NFL season.<\/p>\n<p>In a time where the entire world of sports is stopped dead in its tracks, the only things keeping sports fanatics going are dumb, hypothetical debates. Since that is the case, should these NBA debates not then at least be fun and entertaining instead of dull and repetitive? They are ultra-competitive but at the end of the day, sports are about fun, so have fun talking about them until their triumphant return.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"x47YUoGtSzhmKLUhTaVulg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1180636061\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'x47YUoGtSzhmKLUhTaVulg',sig:'l6ycliiQfzFPA-Xx3CDPCXPyt5NGkFUcDsqKKmzTWwM=',w:'594px',h:'397px',items:'1180636061',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is time to finally settle the Michael Jordan versus LeBron James argument. Kidding. Since that horrid argument has long reached its asymptote, it seems like the perfect time for some fresh, new debate topics in the NBA world. These unique NBA debates will surely make anyone the life of the party and lead to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3009,"featured_media":31073,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,5,6,2,31,27,26,62,22],"tags":[2037,1276,302,3660,205,475,3661,3662,3659,601,450,38,152,428,607,3658,3665,3664,543,3663],"class_list":["post-31070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-celtics","category-nets","category-featured","category-rockets","category-clippers","category-lakers","category-nba","category-thunder","tag-alex-caruso","tag-aron-baynes","tag-boston-celtics","tag-dak-prescott","tag-dwight-howard","tag-elfrid-payton","tag-first-take","tag-first-things-first","tag-jason-momoa","tag-javale-mcgee","tag-jaylen-brown","tag-lebron-james","tag-los-angeles-lakers","tag-marcus-smart","tag-michael-jordan","tag-nba-debates","tag-nick-wright","tag-skip-bayless","tag-steven-adams","tag-undisputed"],"modified_by":"Matthew Waldman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3009"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31070\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}