GOAT: Jordan or James?

[nickagneta]

It’s game seven of the NBA Finals. You are down one point with seconds to go. Who do you want taking the final shot for your team.

Bird

Then Jordan

Then Steph

Then Kobe

Then Lebron

Who is the GOAT?

Jordan

Then Russell

Then Bird/Magic

Then Lebron

[Jvalin]

Magic.

My case is rather simple. Basketball is a team game. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Magic was the greatest at elevating his teammates, hence he's the greatest at elevating his team in general.

[JSD]

Jordan played in the ultimate watered down era. I believe there were 6 expansion teams during his 12.5 year career with the Bulls. It really spread the talent thing at the time making it easier for him to dominate and put up big numbers.

Larry Bird really doesn’t get his due because he only won 3 titles. But he lead the Celtics through a stacked Eastern Conference only to play a team that had two top 5 players of all time as teammates. It was a tough break, Bird ended up 3-2 in the Finals.

[Kernewek]

It’s game seven of the NBA Finals. You are down one point with seconds to go. Who do you want taking the final shot for your team.

Bird

Then Jordan

Then Steph

Then Kobe

Then Lebron

Who is the GOAT?

Jordan

Then Russell

Then Bird/Magic

Then Lebron

I think I'm on board with this.

[Moranis]

Lebron, Jordan, and Kareem are clearly the 3 greatest players of all time.  I don't think anyone is even close to them. 

[liam]

Lebron, Jordan, and Kareem are clearly the 3 greatest players of all time.  I don't think anyone is even close to them.

I take Bird over any of those guys. Magic too.

[gouki88]

Magic.

My case is rather simple. Basketball is a team game. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Magic was the greatest at elevating his teammates, hence he's the greatest at elevating his team in general.

Except for one half of the game, where he was mediocre. He was also gifted Kareem, a player who was better than him.

[gouki88]

Lebron, Jordan, and Kareem are clearly the 3 greatest players of all time.  I don't think anyone is even close to them.

I think Bird has an argument, but those are my clear cut top 4. Then Russell, Olajuwon, Duncan, Wilt, Magic and Shaq, in some order, to round out my 10.

[slamtheking]

I want Steph taking a shot with my life on the line. That’s not a GOAT.

GOAT ranking:

Russ
Magic
Bird
Jordan

Russ had Wilt,

Magic had Bird

Who did MJ have? Len Bias was going to be the one….

Russ
Wilt
Bird
Magic
Jordan

Wilt second? Not even close. Could have been the best all-time, but didn't have the will that Russ, Jordan, Bird, Magic, Lebron, and a host of other elite talents had. The most single-minded stat chaser I've seen among the elites. 100-point game and led the NBA in assists, but only had two championships despite playing with a lot of stars on his teams.

without Russell, Wilt is likely hanging a banner for half the number of years he played at least. 

[Moranis]

Lebron, Jordan, and Kareem are clearly the 3 greatest players of all time.  I don't think anyone is even close to them.

I think Bird has an argument, but those are my clear cut top 4. Then Russell, Olajuwon, Duncan, Wilt, Magic and Shaq, in some order, to round out my 10.

I don't have Bird that high.  Some of that is his career was just shorter, and while he had a great peak, I'm not sure his peak was better than someone like Shaq, who had arguably the greatest 3 year run in the sport's history (yes arguably better than Wilt or Oscar or MJ or Kareem).  I absolutely agree with you that that is the top 10 best players in the sport's history.  The order is where the debate lies for me, but I just don't think anyone else can realistically be ahead of Lebron, Jordan, or Kareem.  You can certainly debate the order of the top 3 though.  I think Lebron is 1, Kareem is 2, and Jordan is 3, but that is just preference.  You could put them in any order and easily be able to defend it, and that holds true 4 to 10 as well.  I think I'd put them Wilt, Magic, Bird, Russell, Duncan, Hakeem, Shaq, but again that is preference.

[Celtics4ever]

Jordan is way better than LeBron.    The finals records speaks volumes and Jordan player in an era where it was tougher to score with hand checking, etc.  Jordan also never quit on his team like LeBron did multiple times.   Jordan never left to build superteams to win a title either.

Some of these takes about other guys being better than Jordan made my day and were very funny.  Thanks for improving our Friday!


Bird is my favorite of all time.

[JSD]

Lebron, Jordan, and Kareem are clearly the 3 greatest players of all time.  I don't think anyone is even close to them.

I think Bird has an argument, but those are my clear cut top 4. Then Russell, Olajuwon, Duncan, Wilt, Magic and Shaq, in some order, to round out my 10.

Where I land too

[liam]

Shaq PTS 23.7 TRB 10.9 AST 2.5 FG% 58.2 FG 3% 4.5 FT% 52.7 eFG 58.2

Bird PTS 24.3 TRB 10. AST 6.3 FG% 49.6 FG 3% 37.6 FT% 88.6 eFG% 51.

[Csfan1984]

Jordan most drive.
Wilt most dominant.
Bird most clutch.
Steph best shooter.
Russell best leader.
Kareem best longevity.
LeBron best physical makeup.
Magic most fun to play with.

Overall I really think GOAT depends on what you value most. It could be any of these guys. Jordan for me combines the most traits. He is physically gifted, a defender, scorer, competitive leader, and won a lot. By default Jordan is the GOAT for me.

[SparzWizard]

Can't be a GOAT if you are 4-6 in the NBA Finals