NBA Vault: Rivalry of Jerry West and Oscar Robertson

[marquettefootball]

These guys were like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Oscar, like DiMaggio, was the better complete player; West, like Teddy Ballgame, was arguably the greatest at one particular skill. Williams: pure hitting. West: pure shooting.

[tmdecker6]

There was not even a 3 point line when The Big O played...or else he woulda scored a million. Oscar and Jordan are the greatest ever...!!!

[emmettk]

Oscar was the most versatile player in NBA history. For his first 5 complete seasons, he averaged 30 points- 10 assists- and 10 rebounds per game. Plus, he was a lock-down defender. No other player in NBA history ever averaged even 10/10/10. Jerry was the greatest clutch player in NBA history until a guy named Jordan came along. As great as his scoring in the regular season was, he stepped up his game in the playoffs and had the ability to make a key shot. He was called "Mr Clutch for a reason.

[HaroldTheDog]

Its hard to compare them. Robertson averaged a triple-double, but West had at least 50 game-winning shots. Robertson is higher on the scoring list, but West went to the Finals 9 times. They each have a championship. Robertson has a league MVP and West has a Finals MVP. They were both tremendous.

[HaroldTheDog]

And then Jerry West came back to win the very next championship

[Brookssee821]

@mcentepede Oscar was a great triple double guy, I agree with you. Probably the best triple double guy ever. He was a great scorer and shooter. I am just saying Jerry had more range in his shooting ability. I believe like you that Jordan is better than Oscar. I also believe Wilt Chamberlain was better also. Either way I still respect your opinion.

[BrownBlackAndGinger]

Cool, I never knew that was Jerry West on the logo

[ZipperZappleZ]

@BrownBlackAndGinger They made him the Logo after his Finals MVP in 69. He's the only guy to win the Finals MVP on the losing team.

The Lakers played the Celtics to the wall, but in the last few minutes of Game 7, Chamberlain ruined his knee. He missed the next season with knee surgery & was never the same after that injury.

I always thought Oscar was a bit more complete on offense than Jerry. But West is still one of the all-time great D players to this day. His arms were as long as Wilt's!

[FrsBigeasy]

2 of the best ever.

[Jiltedin2007]

..... And what has Oscar Robertson done for the Milwaukee Bucks off the court?

Let's not forget who is on the NBA Logo, and has been now for almost 40 years.

[marquettefootball]

@Jiltedin2007 This dispute wasn't who was best off the court, but on it. Each co-led their team to an NBA title. Even.

[Brookssee821]

Jerry was the better shooter and better at steals, but Oscar was better at rebounds and assists.

[mcentepede]

@Brookssee821 That doesn't sound right. Oscar averaged a triple double the first 5 years in NBA. He had no weakness in his game. 90% free throw shooter. West was great too. but Oscar beats everybody except Jordan.