All time MVP for Tulsa (it's time again)....

[Original TULSAFAN]

Not your favorite. Not the most skilled or "best" player... but the most VALUABLE.

Mine: Greg Harrington. And I don't think it's close...
His 4 year career was amazing. Best times in Tulsa history. And he was a major factor each season. So calm. Hit huge shots. Propelled Tulsa to its success each of his 4 seasons. I think his post-season record was 10-3 (including the Elite 8 and NIT Championship).

 

[PhoggyBottom]

Paul Pressey. He was the main piece in the group that turned TU into a big-time basketball program. He was the best TU player of at least the past 40 years and he had the best NBA career.

 

[Bill Lowery]

Paul Pressey. He was the main piece in the group that turned TU into a big-time basketball program. He was the best TU player of at least the past 40 years and he had the best NBA career.

I agree with Pressey but Bingo Smith had the better NBA career, at least scoring wise. He scored over 10,000 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers retired his jersey. He ranks among the leaders in a number of categories in Cavilier history.

 

[aTUfan]

Steve Harris

 

[Original TULSAFAN]

MVP for Tulsa... over his Tulsa career.
NBA fame is not the question...
Most skilled is not the question...
Best player is not the question...

Who was the MOST VALUABLE player for his TEAM --- throughout his Tulsa career.

Harrington played 4 years. Tulsa went to 3 NCAA's, and won the NIT under Greg's control.

 

[astonmartin708]

I mean, Shea did a ton of work for us. 4 straight NCAA's. 2 Sweet 16's. 2 Conference Championships. And, he set the foundation for the success we had in the years following. Greg Harrington might never get to Tulsa if Shea hadn't elevated the program in the first place.

 

[Original TULSAFAN]

Shea would be my #2...
With Steve Harris #3...

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I just like the way KJ played the game. He's probably not a TU MVP, but he's my MVP.

 

[lawpoke87]

I have a hard time giving TU's all-time MVP to a player "Harrington" who I don't believe was ever the best player on any of the teams he played on. Shea would be my choice.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Paul Pressey is the All Time MVP for Tulsa Basketball

 

[Tulsafanzz]

I don’t think we have a clear cut Greatest of all time player for TU basketball. I think we’ve been defined by coaches more than players.

However, my player list would be :

1. Shea Seals - Turned down a Final Four Big East school to stay here & play for his hometown team. Played great from his very first game (against Houston Baptist?) thru his senior season. Barring a knee injury, he would’ve been playing for the Lakers.
2. Paul Pressey - Great player who could take a game over on both ends of the court. First “point forward “ in basketball.
Others considered:
Jim King, Dante Swanson, Willie Biles, Steve Bracey, Bob Patterson, Kevin Johnson, Steve Harris, Greg Harrington, David Moss

 

[I.I.]

If their jersey is not in the rafters, I don't think they could qualify. Any of those up there would be my pick.

 

[TU_BLA]

I vote for Shea (disclaimer: I never saw any of the others play in person). His commitment (and his play) basically set TU up for 10 yrs of success. We were Gonzaga before Gonzaga because of him.

 

[Original TULSAFAN]

108 wins in 4 years.
All time assist leader.
THE General on Tulsa's most successful teams while having to play for 3 different coaches.

 

[hotterthanyourhusbandTU]

Pressey or Shea.

I love it that Paul is coming to TU's home games.

 

[aTUfan]

I remember a player in the 60s; Webb. Had problems with grades, but was fun to watch.

 

[TU Sepp]

That would be Eldridge Webb!!!

 

[el duran]

Shea Seals but I felt pretty comfortable we were going to win whenever Eric Coley was on the court.

 

[old.guy]

Eldridge Webb was arguably the most talented player ever to don a Hurricane uniform, but it's hard to call him the most valuable because he only played one year and part of another of varsity ball. Pressey, who could carry the team on his back, is probably the all-time most valuable.

 

[Glasscain]

Rubber Band Man, Pressey with Harris and Seals a close 2nd. My favorite because I loved the way he played Bill Kuslanka. Spelling probably wrong.

 

[aTUfan]

That would be Eldridge Webb!!!

Yes. Thanks

 

[goldfan83]

Yusuf Baker..

 

[hotterthanyourhusbandTU]

I'm sure this thread is going to start going downhill...

Oswaldo Gonzales

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Tie: Ermal Kuqo/Warren Coolidge

 

[Original TULSAFAN]

Greg Harrington...
The "glue" to TU's most successful Era and teams...

Never got his due... still doesn't.

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

Tie: Ermal Kuqo/Warren Coolidge

If there had been a 3-point line back then, Coolidge would've been all-conference. Coach Reeves even said so!

 

[TU Sepp]

As you look at the different eras... Jim "Country" King, Bobby "Bingo" Smith, Steve Bracey, Willie Biles, Paul Pressey, Steve "Silk" Harris, Shea Sells, Greg Harrington, Kevin Johnson...

There are others you could add to this list...

 

[PhoggyBottom]

Without Paul Pressey, I don't know that Nolan gets the TU job. That means none of the excitement of the early 80's, don't beat UNC, no Steve Harris, no Ricky Ross. That could mean Tubby Smith and Bill Self never become interested in the TU job. It is easy to see how the great successes of the past almost 40 years don't happen without Paul Pressey.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Without Paul Pressey, I don't know that Nolan gets the TU job. That means none of the excitement of the early 80's, don't beat UNC, no Steve Harris, no Ricky Ross. That could mean Tubby Smith and Bill Self never become interested in the TU job. It is easy to see how the great successes of the past almost 40 years don't happen without Paul Pressey.

I know some on here will disagree with Phoggy just to be disagreeable, but he’s 100% correct with this post.

 

[Bill Lowery]

I know some on here will disagree with Phoggy just to be disagreeable, but he’s 100% correct with this post.

Absolutely.

 

[TU_BLA]

I can buy that take. Shea provided that same level for TU basketball for those of us too young to remember Pressey's college days.

 

[Larry Lewis]

The biggest difference between Shea and Pressey was that the TU basketball program was in essentially dead when Nolan took over. Most who complain about things now can't imagine how bad things were in the Jim King era. Nothing else since can remotely compare. Can anyone imagine losing 106-62 to ORU now? Yes, ORU was really good then, but still...

Shea turned a good but not ready for NCAA team into a Sweet 16 team, and ushered in a 10-year era of an unbelievable program high. Absolutely love Shea.

But Pressey and his juco teammates turned a morgue into a nightly standing-room-only concert. Pressey's two years were the most fun I've ever had watching TU basketball. And he is the most exciting TU player of all time.

 

[mvccane]

Pressey - not even close. Next argument?