Jordan...next question!

Honestly I don't know if there will ever be another Air Jordan. He changed so much. Greatest player of all time. Most clutch of all time. Even the best of the best shake their head and knew when it was time to get out of his way in the Dream Team documentary. He was not only an incredible scorer and clutch player. He was lock down on Defense. He was incredibly creative scoring with the acrobatics. He was an icon and probably the most popular person on the planet for a long run. His image away from the game still lives today. I see countless teens wearing Air Jordan clothes. He changed the shoe business forever. I grew up in the Jordan era. I know I spent countless hours in my Air Jordan's with my black+red basketball going to the hoop with my tongue hanging out. When I talk to friends about it they were all the same way. You can take any guy off the greatest list and they don't fit that mold the way Jordan did because he was the OG.

What is 33.2, 37, 35, 34.7, 29.3, 28? Wilts playoff PPG his first 6 years in the NBA, while averaging 27 rebounds and 3 assist.

 

7th year he averaged 21.7points 9 assist and 29.1 rebounds BTW won Title that year.

 

Shot over 54% for his career so he wasn't padding numbers by taking every shot.

Career average of 30ppg 22rpg and 4 assist.

Not sure where he was supposed to have wilted at?

 

 

Head to head he out scored and out rebounded Russell, Russell played on the best team and in the end basketball is a team game. If Wilt was on the Celtics it wouldn't even be up for discussion who was GOAT.

 

If Wilt was on the Celts they wouldn't have won those titles. His presence was that toxic to the team mentality. Probably why Red loved Russell so much -- he knew that Russell could've scored more, but the team would've suffered dramatically for it. Instead Russell focused on being the best defender ever, and making his teammates better in the process. I dare you to find any of Wilt's old teammates who will say he made them a better player or team.

Pretty similar to what Oscar did. Jordan would have scored more, but not had the assist or rebounding numbers. Magic would have been right there with assists and boards, but not in points.

 

Did you just talk about Russell Westbrook in the same breath as Oscar? We're done here...

 

Seriously? I don't agree with you alot but I respect your opinion, but seriously Russell Westbrook gets in this conversation how?

 

I didn't drop his name to equate him with the others. Just pointing out that his style of play would've led to a lot of triple-doubles in the no-D '60s. Fat Lever probably would've done the same, and perhaps Alvin Robertson too, because of their abilities to stuff the stat sheet.

I'm sure its no suprise who I would say, it has to be Jordan.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe that at least four players you mentioned in the initial post would say Jordan was the best (Magic, Bird, Kobe, and LeBron).

Jordan.

In my lifetime it has been Jordan and not even close. That also seems to be the overwhelming feelings of most. You get a few other votes for Magic, Wilt, etc. (and one vote for the Big O from gametime) but MJ was a bad man.

My old man is turning 75 this year and loves the game of basketball. Whenever we talk about the greatest players, The Big O is always the first person he brings up. So he's with you GT, and he can't stand the UC Bearcats, so that's saying something.

I'm not sure the Big O is even in the top 5. I did see him play. So far there isn't anyone mentioned that I haven't seen play. I really didn't even hesitate when naming Jordan as G.O.A.T. Perhaps a poll would serve this thread well.

If Wilt was on the Celts they wouldn't have won those titles. His presence was that toxic to the team mentality. Probably why Red loved Russell so much -- he knew that Russell could've scored more, but the team would've suffered dramatically for it. Instead Russell focused on being the best defender ever, and making his teammates better in the process. I dare you to find any of Wilt's old teammates who will say he made them a better player or team.

Haha pretty safe dare since most have probably passed away...

Wilt and Russell had comparable Asst and Rebound numbers with Wilts numbers being slightly better on both. Wilt actually lowered his scoring about 10 points a game the last half of his career (when he won 2 title) while raising his assist and maintaining his rebound numbers. Basically when Wilt had a better team around him he did sacrifice scoring for the sake of his team. We neither one know what would have happened had he been surrounded by better talent (the Celtics) and had better coaching (Red) earlier in his career.

 

Wilt may not be GOAT but if he's not, he's only a sliver behind.

Haha pretty safe dare since most have probably passed away...

Wilt and Russell had comparable Asst and Rebound numbers with Wilts numbers being slightly better on both. Wilt actually lowered his scoring about 10 points a game the last half of his career (when he won 2 title) while raising his assist and maintaining his rebound numbers. Basically when Wilt had a better team around him he did sacrifice scoring for the sake of his team. We neither one know what would have happened had he been surrounded by better talent (the Celtics) and had better coaching (Red) earlier in his career.

 

Wilt may not be GOAT but if he's not, he's only a sliver behind.

 

If it were purely about numbers, as you seem to be suggesting, shouldn't Kareem be called the GOAT and Karl Malone as second-best?

 

Of course, it's not strictly about numbers, but the total package. Leadership, unselfishness, team play, clutch play and championships are also in the equation along with the numbers.

I would love to watch Jordan post up on James and shoot his fade away on him.

Michael Jordan is the greatest.

 

Kobe is/was the best to come after MJ. Of the current NBA stars, I think only Lebron and Durant have a chance to make a run at that honor. Who knows what kinds of players will come in the future?

Who knows what kinds of players will come in the future?

 

His name is Andrew Wiggins...

I was trying to put it all in perspective in my head the other night. By my estimation, once every year you get a star type player. Every other year a superstar caliber player. Every 10 years an all time great player. Every 15 years a transformational type player worthy of G.O.A.T. discussion.