Best NBA journeyman ever?

[Moranis]

I don't think folks like Shaq, Mcadoo, etc., should be eligible for this.  They played for many teams, but were not really journeymen.  They were too good for that.   

NBA journeyman is  a hard category to define, but that makes this a great question.  I say Rodman.  I can see the argument that a journeyman couldn't possibly be hall of fame material, by definition, but I think the key point about a journeyman is that he never becomes a master.  He can become very, very good at what he does, but never a master.  I think that means that he never becomes someone who can run a job, who can oversee a whole job.  In NBA terms, then, we are talking about a player who can have enormous impact, but would never be someone you could consider building a team around.  

Rodman.

did you just call the best rebounder in history and an all time great defender someone that didn't master his craft.

[Shots]

Definitely not the best journeyman ever, but he deserves a mention nonetheless!

Drew Gooden

9 teams. 11.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG. That looks sort of good, serviceable big man for sure. If you then look at what he has achieved, this must be the epitome of hollow stats.

If I had to nominate someone, it would have to be Dennis Rodman. He was a serviceable guy on some title teams (Bulls, Pistons), while not being anything close to a centerpiece. I'm certain he's in the top 5 of best defensive PFs and rebounders ever, which is rather good for a guy, who bounced around a bit.

[Cman]

kevin willis.

NOW we're getting somewhere.  How about the additional restriction that the player cannnot have been an all-star or MVP?

Corliss Williamson.

That's a good one (the big nasty!), but depends on the interpretation of the OP's rules.  I think he played for 4 teams (but one of those teams (SAC) was a two different points in his career).

[Newguy]

kevin willis.

NOW we're getting somewhere.  How about the additional restriction that the player cannnot have been an all-star or MVP?

Corliss Williamson.

That's a good one (the big nasty!), but depends on the interpretation of the OP's rules.  I think he played for 4 teams (but one of those teams (SAC) was a two different points in his career).

To be honest, my "5 team" rule was a bit arbitrary.  I didn't have any other definitions for what a "true" journeyman" is. 

[Bahku]

Joe Smith for sheer number of teams, Tony Massenburg, (especially including international play), and Chucky Brown, too, but best would have to be Moses Malone or Chris Webber, (also Rodman, Ellis, Mcadoo, and Rick Barry).

[Edgar]

See, I don't think a journeyman should be considered for the Hall of Fame.

  Why Kc

even shaq

[Eja117]

There's lots of Euro journey men


I think I'll go with Arvydas Sabonis.


Then there's Gerald Green and Joe Forte.

[housecall]

Kurt Thomas

[Finkelskyhook]

Robert Horry.  His rings speak to that.

[Finkelskyhook]

See, I don't think a journeyman should be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Why not?  Most people in here think a stat hound team wrecker like Iverson is a lock. 

I'd sooner nominate a multiple champion journeyman. 

[housecall]

Robert Horry.  His rings speak to that.
TP,when i posted my choice i was thinking more on the lines of active,unhearlded players but Horry is a better choice overall when it comes to a player that added the most into winning championships.Winning it all is what is boils down to in the end. No other nonstarter has given their team a bigger boost than Big Shot Rob when it counted.

[mgent]

Shaq is really the only top 10-15 player who played for more than 3-4 teams so technically I'd consider him the "best."  The dude was just never on a bad team (the player-equivalent of Phil Jackson).  He played with 4 separate MVPs (plus DWade), 3 of which were in his last 3 years in the league.  Always seemed to be looking for the next big team.

Otherwise I'd go with John Salley who won four championship rings, with three different teams, in three different decades and two different millenniums.

[KCattheStripe]

See, I don't think a journeyman should be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Why not?  Most people in here think a stat hound team wrecker like Iverson is a lock. 

I'd sooner nominate a multiple champion journeyman. 

My point was that if the phrase "journeyman"-- which means someone who is skilled in a craft but not a master-- is attached to you it should by definition preclude you from the Hall of Fame.

[thirstyboots18]

See, I don't think a journeyman should be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Why not?  Most people in here think a stat hound team wrecker like Iverson is a lock. 

I'd sooner nominate a multiple champion journeyman. 

My point was that if the phrase "journeyman"-- which means someone who is skilled in a craft but not a master-- is attached to you it should by definition preclude you from the Hall of Fame.

I don't see it that way.  I think of it as a mercenary (journeyman) vs. a franchise player.  The journeyman can be just as good...just not as permanent.  It takes a lot of self- confidence to forgo long guaranteed contracts and shop yourself around...

[Moranis]

Shaq is really the only top 10-15 player who played for more than 3-4 teams so technically I'd consider him the "best."  The dude was just never on a bad team (the player-equivalent of Phil Jackson).  He played with 4 separate MVPs (plus DWade), 3 of which were in his last 3 years in the league.  Always seemed to be looking for the next big team.

Otherwise I'd go with John Salley who won four championship rings, with three different teams, in three different decades and two different millenniums.

Moses Malone played on 7 teams 8 different times (he hit Philly twice) and that doesn't even include his 2 different ABA teams.  Probably not a top 15 player all time, but I'd put him at #6 of centers all time (behind Wilt, Russ, Kareem, Hakeem, and Shaq).