Berry Tramel picks his All-Time OU Starting 5

[SoonerTraveler]

It is not as easy as it might sound. There are some tough choices.

* * * * *

Where does Buddy Hield rank on OU's list of all-time greats?
by Berry Tramel | Published: April 12, 2016
http://newsok.com/where-does-buddy-hield-rank-on-ous-list-of-all-time-greats/article/5491135

So you have to decide. Greatest at the pinnacle or greatest for the totality of their career?

I choose career. Seems like that’s what we’re really talking about. Who had the greatest career? As great as was Tisdale, I’m not sure he ever was as great as was Griffin in 2008-09. Griffin, surrounded by not a lot of talent outside his brother, led OU to the regional final, where the Sooners were at least competitive with eventual NCAA champion North Carolina. Those ’08-09 Tar Heels ranks with Billy Donovan’s 2006-07 Florida team as the best in college basketball since the 1990s. But Tisdale had the better career, and that feels most important.

 

[152219]

Griffin, surrounded by not a lot of talent outside his brother, led OU to the regional final, where the Sooners were at least competitive with eventual NCAA champion North Carolina.

I'm sorry, but people continue to forget how good Willie Warren was for that '08-09 team.

 

[bgrch1350]

I'm sorry, but people continue to forget how good Willie Warren was for that '08-09 team.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[cvangild]

Absurd to have Price over Mookie. I totally disagree with his logic on that one.

Also, to not have Webster on at least his 3rd team is ridiculous.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

It is not as easy as it might sound. There are some tough choices.

* * * * *

Where does Buddy Hield rank on OU's list of all-time greats?
by Berry Tramel | Published: April 12, 2016
http://newsok.com/where-does-buddy-hield-rank-on-ous-list-of-all-time-greats/article/5491135

LOL OU didn't have talent around griffin?

 

[Max Power]

My starting 5 would be

Gaurds
Mookie
Hollis
Buddy

Posts
Wayman
Blake

It's hard with the other greats we have had but that's the 5 I would put out there

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I'm sorry, but people continue to forget how good Willie Warren was for that '08-09 team.

True. Also, Tony Crocker and "AJ" had some big games, although neither averaged double-digit scoring during that season.

Back to the main topic, I think Tramel got the following correct:

FIRST TEAM
G Buddy Hield
G Hollis Price
C Wayman Tisdale
F Blake Griffin
F Alvan Adams

 

[TINY]

My starting 5 would be

Gaurds
Mookie
Hollis
Buddy

Posts
Wayman
Blake

It's hard with the other greats we have had but that's the 5 I would put out there

This one works for me!

 

[BigTime]

My starting 5 would be

Gaurds
Mookie
Hollis
Buddy

Posts
Wayman
Blake

It's hard with the other greats we have had but that's the 5 I would put out there

That would be my 5 as well. That team would be unbelievable!

 

[SoonerSpock]

I'm sorry, but people continue to forget how good Willie Warren was for that '08-09 team.

One great season has little impact on who are the all time greats. Willie might rank about 45 on the list. Don't for get the 09-10 season which was his team.

 

[BigTime]

One great season has little impact on who are the all time greats. Willie might rank about 45 on the list. Don't for get the 09-10 season which was his team.

I think he was referring to the fact that Tram said that Blake had very little help outside of his brother...

 

[SoonerSpock]

Unfortunately most here are too young to have seen Tucker, McNatt, Lane, Sidle, Ray, Heard, McAlister and Grant. Fortunately I was in McCasland Fieldhouse to see all but the first two. It is my opinion that any list is up for debate but for certain all those listed on Berry's three teams are deserving of the recognition.

Remember that basketball like football cannot really compare players from different eras due to training conditions, AAU activity, weight training, off season program, etc. Were Wayman and Alvin to have been afforded the opportunities to improve their game given to players today they would have been immensely better basketball players. Ditto McNatt, Tucker and Lane.

 

[BigTime]

Unfortunately most here are too young to have seen Tucker, McNatt, Lane, Sidle, Ray, Heard, McAlister and Grant. Fortunately I was in McCasland Fieldhouse to see all but the first two. It is my opinion that any list is up for debate but for certain all those listed on Berry's three teams are deserving of the recognition.

Remember that basketball like football cannot really compare players from different eras due to training conditions, AAU activity, weight training, off season program, etc. Were Wayman and Alvin to have been afforded the opportunities to improve their game given to players today they would have been immensely better basketball players. Ditto McNatt, Tucker and Lane.

That's scary thinking about WT being better today then he was back then.

 

[152219]

One great season has little impact on who are the all time greats. Willie might rank about 45 on the list. Don't for get the 09-10 season which was his team.

Wut? Read my post again and the passage I quoted.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Absurd to have Price over Mookie. I totally disagree with his logic on that one.

Also, to not have Webster on at least his 3rd team is ridiculous.

I disagree 100%. I'm not sure Webster would be 3rd team if you took just the last 35 years. He was a great scorer but rebounding and defense were very very suspect. He wouldn't have started on any of Billy's best teams -- 85, 88, 89 and 90. Maybe 1984 he starts but give me Choo or DJ over Webster because they rebounded. He would have seen a lot of playing time though.

He was a 4 so in the past 35 years he has Wayman, Harvey Grant, Jackie Jones and Ace McGhee in front of him at the very least. I think you could put Ryan Minor ahead of him at the 4 too. I'm assuming BG played the 5 as well as King. So, if he played the 5, which he did not then maybe he's in the top 3 teams if considered a 5 but I think that's a stretch too.

 

[Tundrasooner]

True. Also, Tony Crocker and "AJ" had some big games, although neither averaged double-digit scoring during that season.

Back to the main topic, I think Tramel got the following correct:

AJ was vastly underrated. Very good passer, great length on defense (blocked many shots), and good shooter.

 

[tmeyer3307]

When I think OU Basketball it's pretty simple.. Wayman, Hollis, Buddy, Blake then King or Mookie..

AJ, Taj Gray and Nate Carter were also some of my favorites. Liked Lavender and Michael Neal a lot too.

 

[Leroy]

Everyone here is very young. Alvin Adams needs to be there.

 

[Max Power]

Everyone here is very young. Alvin Adams needs to be there.

Alvin would be my first big off the bench.

 

[vbdad]

It must be remembered in the old days guys played for several years. When Blake and Buddy played most of the really talented guys especially big guys only last a year. It is different playing against seniors especially when they could have gone early and didn't. Blake really benefited from this. He is a great player and was truly dominant.