The Two Best Players. EVER.

Jimmy Chitwood (Hoosiers) vs. Billy Hoyle (White Men Can't Jump).

Everyone should know about Jimmy Chitwood by now. He was an incredible shooter who led lil' Hickory High to the state championship. But, how much of his greatness is a myth?

And, then you have Billy Hoyle. The fast-talking, poorly-dressed playground legend in gray socks who stole and lost money from ballers up and down the coast. Was he a legit talent, or Wesley Snipes' second fiddle?

Let's find out:

Jimmy Chitwood. 6'2" Guard. Hickory High.

With the benefit of film editing, Jimmy Chitwood shot about 80% from the field in 1951. In fact, one ESPN columnist estimated that he shot 78% and scored 30 of his team's 42 points in the championship game. We even see an unedited clip of Jimmy shooting free throws earlier in the movie. He makes nine before missing one... and that miss is important. (Jimmy only missed four shots the entire movie) It revealed his weakness. It came as soon as the coach challenged him... and it revealed Jimmy to be a headcase.

Jimmy was what I like to call a malcontent. the kind of guy who only played when HE WANTED to. And, for the coach he wanted. He was also a ballhog... although he only averaged 18 ppg. (Clever editing, style of play, or system player?) Plus, only a malcontent would DEMAND the ball and create a team mutiny when the coach calls another player's number for the last shot.

The final play also shows Jimmy's lack of basketball IQ. He holds the ball until four seconds are on the clock. He then launches a contested 26+ footer and doesn't give his team a chance for a rebound. Stupid play. He's LUCKY that the shot went in.

Sure... Jimmy hits the shot. But, he did everything HIS WAY. He joined the team when HE wanted to. He played when HE wanted to. And, he shot whenever HE wanted to. Let's just say he didn't lead the All-Hicksville Valley Conference in assists in 1951. And, nobody enjoyed playing with Jimmy Chitwood. Plus, don't even get me started about defense. Jimmy was Steve Nash without the muscle, intensity and commitment. Just horrible.


Billy Hoyle. 6'0" Guard. Playgrounds.

Billy Hoyle was shorter. Had horrible form on his jump shot. And, was easily duped. In fact, his dimness is perhaps his greatest flaw. Billy Hoyle trusted EVERYBODY. He believed that people were inherently good. Chitwood trusted nobody, except himself.

It's why one was a great PG who sometimes lost because of inferior teammates tanking, while the other was a top-notch scorer who demanded the last shot.

Hoyle "might be able to pull a couple of passes out his arse"... but, he was more than that. The guy could shoot. In fact, except for a few misguided dunk attempts... he doesn't miss a shot the entire movie. (More creative editing?)

Hoyle was versatile. He could play shutdown one-on-one D against much larger players . And, he could set teammates up for any shot (including 720-layups by short, fat guys) at any time. Hoyle knew how to play the game the right way, and was deadly on the pick-and-roll. That would seemingly give Hoyle the edge over Chitwood. But, hold on to your short shorts.

Hoyle was a headcase, too. Not the malcontent type like Chitwood. He was a pu$.$y whipped chump who dressed poorly. He also ONLY played for money. He was a mercenary, and not a very good one.

He didn't know his own athletic limitations. He was willing to sacrifice everything to prove a meaningless point. And, it cost him time and time again. Plus, let's not forget that he was easily duped, too. Sometimes, you can be too trusting. As a result, he became a chump.

I've been battling in my mind over these two great players for the better part of two decades. I can't figure out which guy is the better player. I need help...


Help ABE:
So, you have one game. Your life depends on it. Who do you take... Jimmy Chitwood or Billy Hoyle?