NBA’s 1 v 1 Champion?

[gouki88]

I think Wilt has the physical ability to reasonably defend anyone (relatively), and I don't think anyone has the athleticism to stop him.

so then how is he not the g.o.a.t.

Because basketball is a team sport.

then Russell is the g.o.a.t.?

According to some, yes.

I think there are a few things that go into it. Individual dominance, ability to lead a team to success, wider impact (whether cultural, upon the rules, etc.), and other less quantifiable things (eye test, essentially).

[jpotter33]

I say KD or Bird. Excellent shooters and scorers, who are also big enough and good enough defenders to hold their own against most of the other players.

That said, agree with everyone else that the rules and pairings would be critical. Also, I think if it’s “make it take it” rules then someone like Curry could easily win it all, too.

[JSD]

Shaq prime was unstoppable. He'd take this easily.

[Moranis]

I think Wilt has the physical ability to reasonably defend anyone (relatively), and I don't think anyone has the athleticism to stop him.

so then how is he not the g.o.a.t.

Because basketball is a team sport.

then Russell is the g.o.a.t.?

According to some, yes.

I think there are a few things that go into it. Individual dominance, ability to lead a team to success, wider impact (whether cultural, upon the rules, etc.), and other less quantifiable things (eye test, essentially).

I was asking you.  Wilt's teams were always playoff teams and he won multiple championships.  He was clearly the most dominant player the league has seen.  Several rules were changed because of Wilt.  So I'm trying to figure out why you don't have him as the goat if you don't think anyone could stop him and he would be able to defend anyone. 

[gouki88]

I think Wilt has the physical ability to reasonably defend anyone (relatively), and I don't think anyone has the athleticism to stop him.

so then how is he not the g.o.a.t.

Because basketball is a team sport.

then Russell is the g.o.a.t.?

According to some, yes.

I think there are a few things that go into it. Individual dominance, ability to lead a team to success, wider impact (whether cultural, upon the rules, etc.), and other less quantifiable things (eye test, essentially).

I was asking you.  Wilt's teams were always playoff teams and he won multiple championships.  He was clearly the most dominant player the league has seen.  Several rules were changed because of Wilt.  So I'm trying to figure out why you don't have him as the goat if you don't think anyone could stop him and he would be able to defend anyone.

There have been people similarly as unstoppable on offence and elite on defence who have had more success (Kareem and MJ in particular). I also find that while individually his offence was immense, his ability to function as a team cog on offence wasn't that great until the tail-end of his career.

He's probably a top 3 individual talent, but there is more to that. Further, the fact that he only managed 2 championships despite being so unstoppable is a knock on him, given his teams were always in the playoffs.

[Ed Monix]

I am really surprised with the results.

I thought for sure Wilt would have more votes. This is a 7'1 guy who (in his prime) had a 40 inch vertical and even as a veteran...blocked Kareem's sky hook.



Wilt had a wingspan of 7'8 so he could herd smaller players into a corner.

[Donoghus]

I am really surprised with the results.

I thought for sure Wilt would have more votes. This is a 7'1 guy who (in his prime) had a 40 inch vertical and even as a veteran...blocked Kareem's sky hook.



Wilt had a wingspan of 7'8 so he could herd smaller players into a corner.

Too many undefined parameters.

[PAOBoston]

Prime Shaq would dunk everyone into oblivion