When people in sports circles get around to naming their top players of ever.... like they ever shut up about that..... it is always the ever present “new guys” who get their endorsements.
Lanier was one of the greats, in the NBA game that I loved, with defenders allowed to defend, dribbling meant up and down, side to side, but no palming or carrying the ball past 1 1/2 steps, “superstars” would get hammered into the hardwood. Imagine guys like Lonnie Shelton or Maurice Lucas taking offense to someone driving on them and pushing off, or flopping.
I loved watching him play, and loved the game that no longer exists. It is simply n***er ball. Tennis with no rackets, and Jimmy Connors plays on every team.
If they eliminated that, there would be no NBA.