Swanigan is our best player since Glenn Robinson, right?

[RegionWarrior101]

I think those two are the most dominant Purdue players I have seen in my lifetime, 30 years of watching college basketball. I thought Big Dog was a bit more dominant in HS having seen him play a bunch of times up here- he was almost like Romeo where people went just to see him.

I think Robinson overall is better as a college player (both will have 2 years), I mean the guy averaged 30 and 10... 30 ppg? That is insane. I do however think Swanigan though will be the better pro player.

As I make that statement, is there anyone I missed? Who would be the best in between? E'Twuan Moore, JuJuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel? I guess Johnson who was Conference MVP. Still at 6'10" he never had double digit rebound average. We had a lot of above average, but not elite, elite.

Anyway to you young turkeys, enjoy Swanigan because he comes around these parts once every 20-25 years!

 

[TC4THREE]

Well I certainly don't think Swanigan will even be close to the pro that Glenn was. People had crazy expectations for Big Dog in the NBA so some consider him to be disappointing but he did average 20 pts and 6 boards a game over 11 years in the NBA.

 

[jadeezra]

Yeah totally agree Glenn was a fantastic nba player. He was never the superstar some expected but was a big time player. I don't expect Swanigan to have those kind of numbers.

But as to the original question , yes he's definitely the best player since the big dog (no offense) Hummel

 

[jadeezra]

I was 15 Glenn's rookie year , that was before league pass or at least I didn't have it yet . I would walk down to the gas station after every game I couldn't watch before school the next day. Just to get the newspaper to see how he did.

My how times have changed

 

[FirstDownB]

Best since Robinson. Loved the baby Boilers but Hummel, Moore, and Johnson had each other to lean on. This team has good complementary pieces, but no stud #2 or #3 to Biggie. He is the focus of the opposing defense and still gets his.

 

[TC4THREE]

I was 15 Glenn's rookie year , that was before league pass or at least I didn't have it yet . I would walk down to the gas station after every game I couldn't watch before school the next day. Just to get the newspaper to see how he did.

My how times have changed

Ha. Yea the good old days. I grew up in the early 90's and my parents didn't get cable TV back then. No ESPN. No internet. Listening to games on the radio was a big thing to me. The sports on the 11:00 local news was can't-miss programming every night and I could spend at least an hour reading the sports section of the news paper each day just to get caught up on things that happened the day before. Hard to believe that was just 25 years ago.

 

[sporre]

Swanigan is the most unstoppable since Big Dog for Purdue. And he has to be one of the best rebounders in all of college ball in decades. But the Big Dog was definitely better. A much more prolific scorer, more unstoppable on offense. 30ppg over a season in a major conference is absolutely huge. And he was an NBA all-star. He was amazing to watch. I have lots of his Raycom games on DVD that you can't see on BTN classic or ESPN classic or anywhere else. I want to post them on YouTube sometime. The 1994 game in Columbus is entertainment at its best. He and Cuonzo were incredible that night.

Swanigan has become one of my all time favorite Boilers, though. Not as much for his playing but more for his attitude, consistency, intelligence, and work ethic. I am just so impressed with what he is doing with himself. Incredible story. My other all-time favorites are Cuonzo, Todd Mitchell, E'Twaun, Hummel, and Kramer.

 

[boilernuke]

Best since Robinson. Loved the baby Boilers but Hummel, Moore, and Johnson had each other to lean on. This team has good complementary pieces, but no stud #2 or #3 to Biggie. He is the focus of the opposing defense and still gets his.

Have to disagree here. Moore, Hummel, and Johnson had eachother but no offensive firepower outside of that. Biggie has a much more complete supporting cast of very capable shooters and scorers. I think you forget how much Jajuan was double teamed and how he was still unstoppable. I think senior JJ has the edge over sophomore Caleb if I can make that comparison. JJ was a beast on offense AND defense. He averaged over 20 points a game, won DPOTY, consensus all American. Caleb is of course a better rebounder, but just an average defender and still a little turnover prone. Now Caleb is still an all American level too, so I don't intend to take anything away from his awesomeness. His rebounding ability is also off the charts.

 

[Boiler Buck]

My other all-time favorites are Cuonzo, Todd Mitchell, E'Twaun, Hummel, and Kramer.

Agree for sure and --- I would add Cardinal to that list.

But yes, to the OP.... Swanigan is best difference maker since Big Dog.

 

[PistolPt]

What's truly impressive is how smart of a basketball player he is. The fact that he hasn't been in foul trouble thus far is truly remarkable. CMP is done a great job using him and Haas and see that continuing, rotating the big men and playing together in spurts at times. Both scenarios are effectively in different matchups. Big chops to Biggie for understanding when to be aggressive and when to back off and get cheap fouls defensively.

 

[FirstDownB]

Have to disagree here. Moore, Hummel, and Johnson had eachother but no offensive firepower outside of that. Biggie has a much more complete supporting cast of very capable shooters and scorers. I think you forget how much Jajuan was double teamed and how he was still unstoppable. I think senior JJ has the edge over sophomore Caleb if I can make that comparison. JJ was a beast on offense AND defense. He averaged over 20 points a game, won DPOTY, consensus all American. Caleb is of course a better rebounder, but just an average defender and still a little turnover prone. Now Caleb is still an all American level too, so I don't intend to take anything away from his awesomeness. His rebounding ability is also off the charts.

Not sure if it is fair to compare a young sophomore Biggie with senior Johnson, but even so it is debatable. JJ was awesome, but unfortunately what those Purdue teams desperately needed was some beef in the paint. I can't help but wonder how that 2009 Sweet 16 game against UConn (48-33 rebounding deficit) would have played out if you swap Biggie for JJ. Or 2010 Sweet 16 when Duke outrebounded us by 20.
I think it comes down to them simply being different players, but I believe Biggie is more valuable to his team.

 

[Mandeville LA]

Ha. Yea the good old days. I grew up in the early 90's and my parents didn't get cable TV back then. No ESPN. No internet. Listening to games on the radio was a big thing to me. The sports on the 11:00 local news was can't-miss programming every night and I could spend at least an hour reading the sports section of the news paper each day just to get caught up on things that happened the day before. Hard to believe that was just 25 years ago.

Anyone else remember watching CNN on the weekends just to see the score ticker at the bottom of the screen? I remember watching many PU games only seeing the score about every 6-8 min.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Don't forget that Glenn played in the absolute worst NBA market in Milwaukee.

 

[rjmpu82]

I have been watching Purdue basketball since 1978. Glenn Robinson is the best college player I have ever seen, period. Not just at Purdue, but anywhere. Biggie is the second best player IMO besides Robinson to wear a Purdue uniform in those years. CS has the highest motor of anyone to play at Purdue. He is not as athletic as Robinson, but he goes all out, all the time. He is relentless. Perhaps more importantly, he appears to be very well spoken for someone his age. The times I have seen him interviewed he is humble and team oriented. He represents Purdue well. Best wishes for a long career.

 

[sporre]

I have been watching since 1988. And yes, Glenn is the best college player I have watched. Not the most explosive, not the best dunker, not the best shooter. But the best scorer. Just the best period.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

Glenn gets a bad rap as being an NBA "bust" or at least "disappointment" by some, but if you look at the 1994 draft, I am not sure who was SO much better (like Jordan to Sam Bowie better) to pick. If I remember that draft had Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. Jalen Rose and maybe Juwan Howard. I consider all the guys to be equal at worst. I guess people maybe view Glenn as not reaching potential and maybe that I can see. He was a solid pro, I think Swanigan in today's game will be really good in the NBA.

 

[ahhculdee]

Swanigan's high end in the NBA could be Zach Randolph or Draymond Green.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

I thought the problem with Glenn was his agent. Asking for $100 million for 10 years guaranteed in 1995 for a player who had never played in the NBA was crazy. Signed for $68 million guaranteed was extraordinary. When he didn't turn the team around overnight, fans were not happy here in Beer Town and never warmed up to him.

But I have to pick Jason Kidd over Glenn out of that class. Third in number of triple doubles when he retired and 2nd in playoff triple doubles. Made it the NBA finals a few times and won it with Dallas. Grant Hill was better too in his 1st 6 years, before injuries took their toll.

Glenn was consistently very good with the Bucks, but not great. Poor ball handling and poor defense were the biggest complaints by fans. However, he was arguably the best shooting small forward of his era.

 

[*4purdue*]

If we get to the FF, Biggie will get more love than Big Dog, which I thought would never happen.

 

[BoilerInChiTown]

Big Dog had more quickness and could score on anybody anytime. Biggie not as quick seems to have little trouble with quicker or bigger players, but he is relentless and will work harder than the next guy.
So, I don't think he will better pro than Glen, but judging on how hard he works and how well he handled adversities, he will be a better pro in life (IMHO, not saying Big Dog was not).

 

[Bethboilerfan]

I have been watching Purdue basketball since 1978. Glenn Robinson is the best college player I have ever seen, period. Not just at Purdue, but anywhere. Biggie is the second best player IMO besides Robinson to wear a Purdue uniform in those years. CS has the highest motor of anyone to play at Purdue. He is not as athletic as Robinson, but he goes all out, all the time. He is relentless. Perhaps more importantly, he appears to be very well spoken for someone his age. The times I have seen him interviewed he is humble and team oriented. He represents Purdue well. Best wishes for a long career.

Totally agree with your assessment. I would add that he is exceptionally mature for his age. I watched his interview after the game where he smiled at being called "cheesecake" Rosie and Biggie are two of many Boilers who make me proud to be a graduate of Purdue. On another note, he seems to be happier and more relaxed this year.

 

[GS Thomas]

JJJ had a much more polished offensive game, protected the rim better, and didn't turn the ball over like it's on fire every time he touches it. Biggie needs to show more to be as good as Sr. JJJ was.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

Robinson is the type of player you don't see anymore. guys that can put up 29/9 and 30/10 don't stay around to do it. It was a different era. He was a complete offensive monster. You just couldn't stop him. I never thought he tried as hard in the nba as he did in college. Could just be my perception. He seemed to loaf a lot more.

 

[boilerzz]

I can't really argue much with this. Howard and Glenn are tossups at three for me. Howard wins here on longevity and a better overall game.

https://nbaobserver.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/1994-nba-draft/

 

[Summy1]

I would love to compare a Senior Biggie to a Senior JJ. Ain't going to happen though.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Biggie's rapidly improving outside shot will earn him millions for years in the league. No question. He will play for years.

 

[FeistyBoiler]

For all his bad qualities, I think you still have to put Hammons among the group of great players for Purdue since Big Dog. Could you imagine if Hammons had the work ethic of Biggie? Might have been player of the year with his abilities. If you think about it, he may have been the most naturally talented players we have had. Now saying all of this, I put the BBs a notch above him as well as Landry and Cardinal. Biggie's work ethic and determination have separated him from that group I think. Just wish he had better defensive capabilities especially shot blocking like Hammons or JJ had. Still very happy he's on our side.

So since Big Dog I'd rank them this way:

Biggie
J Johnson
Moore
Cardinal
Landry
Hummel
Hammons
C Martin
B Miller
Deane
C Austin

 

[lbodel]

Agree for sure and --- I would add Cardinal to that list.

But yes, to the OP.... Swanigan is best difference maker since Big Dog.

He doesn't get the attention because he wasn't on some of the best teams we've seen - but Carl Landry was pretty darn good. He had a 9 year NBA career - not many people do that.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

He doesn't get the attention because he wasn't on some of the best teams we've seen - but Carl Landry was pretty darn good. He had a 9 year NBA career - not many people do that.

and Carl Landry was tough as nails.....also survived a random shooting here in the Lone Star State. I had hoped he could have stuck with the Warriors, but free agency at that time made sense from the business side.