OT: Who is the NBA GOAT?
- Thread starter Im The Village Idiot
- Start date
It is debatable whether you like it or not. Your petty insult falls way flat.
Jordan overall because of his massive impact upon the popularity of the game.
WIlt. The NBA changed the rules to try and stop him. We have wider lanes, offense goal tending, and more thanks to him
Bird
Magic
Kobe
Shaq
Lebron is down around 10 or so. I have a hard time putting anyone playing in the freedom from defense error near the top.
WIlt. The NBA changed the rules to try and stop him. We have wider lanes, offense goal tending, and more thanks to him
Bird
Magic
Kobe
Shaq
Lebron is down around 10 or so. I have a hard time putting anyone playing in the freedom from defense error near the top.
You’re right. My apologies. It just always amazes me when someone who claims to have watched Jordan and LeBron would select LeFlop over Jordan.
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MJ or Larry if you’re not talking some kind of sizesploitation that only worked in certain eras.
The flopping is because it's rewarded too much in the modern game and he unfortunately takes advantage of it too much, though recently he has been getting hammered going to the rim and no calls.
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If there were 10,000 multiverses there'd still not be a single one where Lebron James is greater than Michael Jordan.
I think it's interesting how this topic brings out a stubbornness that we don't see in football. People were jumping over each other to call Brady the greatest and seem ready to call Mahomes the same in a decade or so. Obviously I get the love for Jordan and he may be my pick as well but you're telling me no one has surpassed him? It's 2026 and a truly amazing athlete who retired in '03 but we remember from the '80s and '90s is just 'that guy'? Like, forever? All the elite athletes we've seen since and it's always going to be MJ? No matter what? That appears to be the case for many.
Nostalgia seems to be a major factor here. I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention that there are some on this board who can't wait to say Jordan but in a NBA thread will admit they don't watch the NBA now and haven't for several years. I dunno, sometimes I just feel like there's some weird invisible online fear some have to just say Kobe or LeBron instead. Heck, no knows. Maybe the answer will be Wemby by 2040.
Nostalgia seems to be a major factor here. I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention that there are some on this board who can't wait to say Jordan but in a NBA thread will admit they don't watch the NBA now and haven't for several years. I dunno, sometimes I just feel like there's some weird invisible online fear some have to just say Kobe or LeBron instead. Heck, no knows. Maybe the answer will be Wemby by 2040.
I’ll never understand where the narrative came from that players in the 80s & 90s were unathletic, unskilled scrubs working side jobs & sh*t. I assume it’s younger ppl trying to prove their era is better.
But, I grew up in the 80s & never felt the need to downplay the greatness of legends from the past. I wanted to learn more about them & find footage. But, the 80s NBA was AWESOME. I still would take those Celtics, Lakers & Sixers teams against ANYONE. Even the Bad Boy Pistons were all timers. Modern teams would need a safe space & a team psychologist on demand to deal with them.
And, there was no shortage of size, skill or athleticism. Todays players & teams are quite soft in comparison. Like how the current greats chase rings in their prime. That immediately moves them down my list significantly.
It’s weak & pathetic & no true alpha would ever stoop to such tactics. It’s why I don’t have LBJ in my top 5. I barely have him top 10. But, it’s that & his tendency to choke or defer in big moments. Plus, GOATS don’t go 3-6 in the Finals, or whatever the record is.
It’s why KD will never sniff my top 20. He might be the most skilled player, ever. But, he’s a beta b*tch. He & OKC had GS down 3-1 in the WCF & he not only choked that series away, but, he then said, “if I can’t beat them, I’ll just join them.” That gives pathetic a whole new meaning.
Lmao, can you imagine Larry Bird in 86 recruiting a super team to beat Magic, or, worse, going to LA & PLAYING with Magic?! Hell no. The true alphas would’ve sooner retired than to admit they can’t beat their rivals on their own. It stole their soul to be 2nd best. They would’ve used those losses as motivation fuel to make sure it never happens again.
It doesn’t bother me when older guys, at the end of their careers do it. Like Barkley & Malone, for example. But, the supposed best players in the world, in their prime, teaming up to steal championships is embarrassing & weak, IMO.
They may as well still have zero championships in my eyes. I have much more respect for guys who never won a ring than the ones who had to build super teams to get the job done.
I mean I hear people say Babe Ruth and Gretzky still. Wemby has a chance of being an all timer. Jordan retired 30 years ago - if you’re talking a 10 or 15 year career we’re only 2 or 3 “generations” out. Don’t think it’s that crazy that he can still be considered the best.
Jordan
LeBron
Everyone else.
Jordan won 6 titles n less time than LeBron won 4.
I dont buy the Russell argument from ancient times. Magic is definitely best point guard all time. Bird is great too.
LeBron
Everyone else.
Jordan won 6 titles n less time than LeBron won 4.
I dont buy the Russell argument from ancient times. Magic is definitely best point guard all time. Bird is great too.
Wilt Chamberlain, and it's not even close. The most dominate player to ever play the game.
Psychological move by UNC Coach Frank McGuire. He was trying to screw with Wilt's head.
Georgetown coach John Thompson tried a psych out move in the 1982 Championship game against UNC. He had Ewing block everything, even if he knew it would be called for goaltending. Tried to make UNC believe they had no chance inside, and force us to shoot jumpers.
Some coaches try things beyond X's and O's.
The greatest player of basketball that ever lived was Pistol Pete Maravich.
The greatest competitor is Michael Jordan with Magic, Bird, and Kareem right behind him.
But the one I want with the ball and the game on the line in the championship in the balance... is Larry Bird.
He won't miss
The greatest competitor is Michael Jordan with Magic, Bird, and Kareem right behind him.
But the one I want with the ball and the game on the line in the championship in the balance... is Larry Bird.
He won't miss
And the thing that made Jordan, Jordan was his hands. I think his hands a bigger than LeBron’s and he kept that thing on a string at all times.I certainly don’t think LeBron is a better pure athlete. LeBron has a better body. He’s 3 inches taller and has more weight and muscle.
But Jordan was significantly faster and quicker than LeBron, had a 2-4 inch vertical leap advantage and his range of movement was worlds better.
Ultimately, I agree with your point. What separates Jordan from the rest is his mentality.
He might have been the best playing at his time in the 90's but he is not the best of all time.
He might have been the best playing at his time in the 90's but he is not the best of all time.
I feel like it's Jordan at #1, Lebron at #2, and then you can make your case for rounding out the top10, with obvious ones like Magic, Russel, Kareem, Hakeem, etc.
But Lebron just don't have enough rings to overtake MJ, and I don't think any other player is quite the talent that Lebron has been for 20 years. I feel like those two are firmly #1 and #2.
But Lebron just don't have enough rings to overtake MJ, and I don't think any other player is quite the talent that Lebron has been for 20 years. I feel like those two are firmly #1 and #2.
I don't believe UNC conceding the opening tip screwed with Wilt's head. It's not like anyone including the NBA had a chance to out jump Wilt.
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