If you're in your 30's like I am then you'd probably remember the basketball boom of the early to mid 90's. It was huge here in Australia and especially Melbourne where the national basketball league could get crowds of 15 - 20,000 for the big state vs state games which now tops out at 3 - 4,000.
With Michael Jordan winning 6 titles in 8 years and basketball cards being swapped in every playground you could find, Aussie Rules was in a similar position to the soccer boom of the mid 2000's.
There was MJ, Shaq, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway and my man Shawn Kemp:
What I will attempt to do with this post is to match up AFL and NBA players who share the same unique qualities not necessarily on overall ability.
The Play Maker
AFL - Sam Mitchell / NBA - Chris Paul
There was a play a few years ago where Sam Mitchell received the ball on center wing with a player hot on his tail. He noticed a fellow Hawks player running off for an interchange bench rotation and kicked into his direction. His teammate had no idea this had happened and continued on with his sprint to get the new hawks player on as quick as possible. What Mitchell had actually done was kick it to the bloke who hadn't even come on yet!!! His handballs from packs under intense pressure and kicking skills on both sides of his body are probably the best in the league.
Chris Paul is the best point guard in basketball. He his probably the best dribbler in the league and is also the best leader in the NBA right now.
Mr Reliable
AFL - Jude Bolton / NBA - Tim Duncan
Just when you think these players should retire, they have a few throwback games that probably actually is the reason their teams won. In the last 10 years you probably couldn't find a player with more wins then these 2 in their respective leagues.
The Beast
AFL - Josh Kennedy / NBA - Lebron James
Lebron at 203cms and 113kgs is a point guard in a power forwards body. Josh Kennedy at 188cms and 96kgs is a midfielder in a center half forwards body. Kennedy doesn't do any upper body weights at all because the Swans think he doesn't need to get any stronger in that area. They are probably right as he can go forward and manhandle tall defenders is rarely brought to ground even though most of his possessions are clearances from stoppages. The last 15secs of this video is a prime example:
Lebron is Lebron, the greatest athlete on the earth in my opinion. He'd be good at any sport he wanted to play.
Space Eaters
AFL - Aaron Sandilands / NBA - Dwight Howard
Sandy is 211cms and 125kgs, Dwight is 211cms and 120kgs. In the AFL no one can get close to the reach of Sandy.
Dwight is of average height for an NBA center but his vertical leap and overall max reach is easily the highest.
Speed
AFL - Lewis Jetta / NBA - John Wall
On September 28th, 2012 the question remained who was the fastest player in the league. On September 29th, 2012 the question was answered and case closed.
John Wall, debuting today for the Wizards for season 2012/13 has speed to burn as proved here:
Physical Presence
AFL - Michael Hurley / NBA - Kevin Garnett
Jonathan Brown held this mantle for ever in the AFL but in light of his broken body (don't worry I love Browny) I think Michael Hurley has taken the mantle. With the watered down AFL game of current times, his attack on the ball on ground and in the air is reminiscent of an very young Browny.
KG has been the NBA's leading enforcer for some time now and even at age 36, he still leads the pack. There are other enforcers in the NBA but it's the sole job of those players to do nothing but scrap for rebounds for 15mins a night tops. KG is an actual focal point on offense, gets his fair share of rebounds and anchors the defense all at the same time. The ultra competitor as explained here.
Pure Athleticism
AFL - Nic Natanui / NBA - Blake Griffin
They can both jump over stuff.
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