In honor of the late great Roy Tarpley...

[Reality Man]

in last 40 years...lets go back to the mid 70's...after Cazzie...is Tarpley the best UM player since that time?

Rickey Green?
Webber?
Burke?
Hubbard?
Rose?
Howard?


I am probably missing someone. For those who didn't see Roy Tarpley play...he was smooth. Tall but athletic. Made it look easy.

For those who saw Tarpley...is he the best since that period of time?




Reality Man



P.S. Sad to hear about his passing.

 

[Reality Man]

How could I forget about Rice ***

*

 

[wolverines74]

Campy belongs in this list. *


"74

 

[knkotter]

I am Harbaughing this one......

Too hard to compare him on the list without diminishing him or others.
-might well be the most freakish pure athlete we have seen at center at M
-outcomes were very good, not great
-my Michigan poster child for " oh, if only"

 

[24to12]

A lot of good players in that era (1968-90): Henry Wilmoore, Rudy T., Antoine Joubert, Campy Russell, just to name a few.

The 1973 team was good enough to make the final four; the 1976 team made it to the finals; and the 1977 team lost (I think) in the elite 8. But I forget who was on those teams, aside from Ricky Green.

 

[Mroad]

I have followed UM basketball closely since 1982 and I would say Tarpley and Webber were probably the two most talented players I've seen over that time period. For a 6'11" player, Tarpley was very coordinated. He was a good athlete that could run the court and also had a very nice touch...there was no doubt that he was going to be a high level NBA player until drum abuse took over his life. However, as we know, talent alone doesn't make you the best player. I would put several UM players above Tarplay on the list of players I've seen come thru the program. I would certainly put Rice ahead of him. I would also put Webber in front of him even though I think Webber could have been an even better player...he had crazy talent. I would also put Trey Burke ahead of him in college.

 

[Reality Man]

I don't know. You are correct...it can't be just talent...it has to be

production but Tarpley was unbelievably productive.


Here is a portion of the UM vs. Indiana game for the Big Ten title 86? . Watch all the double teams on Tarpley.

Guy was the 7th overall pick in the NBA draft?...must have been more than just potential.



Reality Man



This post was edited on 1/11 11:48 AM by Reality Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jKDC0VVtgo

 

[Mroad]

RM, thanks for posting the link. I forgot how loaded that UM team was....any time you have Glen Rice coming off the bench you know that's a great team. That team should have won a national championship. Tarpley was certain a phenomenal talent but I didn't think he was always consistent in college. He would look like the best player in the country one game and then have a lackluster game the next. There is no doubt that Tarpley was a top 5 talent at Michigan over the past 25 years but his motor wasn't always running at full speed. He should have been a 10-12 year NBA all-star but the drugs/alcohol abuse didn't allow him to reach his potential. It's sad to see him go. Actually, another former UM player that had a ton of talent was Robert "Tractor" Traylor who coincidentally also died within the last couple years.

 

[4IUSox2]

Sad about Tarpley. What might have been had he been able to control his demons??

That UM team on last day of season for the title was loaded and wasn't going to be denied. I was a soph at IU that year and at big 10 opener between these same 2 teams. Close game in early january, but um won by 2-4 pts iirc. IU wasn't picked to do much that yr, but over achieved to forge a tie and last day of season championship game scenario.