Greatest Players of All Time (Jordan wins)

[Luke]

It's that time of year again, and this should definitely generate some interesting discussion around these parts. I'm not sure how deep we'll go with this, but I'm hoping to get at least to 20. Votes will be counted by the poll in each thread, but it is encouraged for posters to state their respective cases after voting. Have fun and keep it civil.

[Luke]

Whenever I have this conversation I'm usually torn between three guys: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kareem. Michael because he's the greatest individual player of all time, Magic because he is the most versatile and makes those around him substantially better, and Kareem because he was the greatest for the longest amount of time.

Jordan will probably win this vote. I don't have a problem with that. He is essentially a souped up version of my favorite player, (Kobe) the most iconic basketball player ever and arguably the greatest two way player ever. He dominated the 90's in a way that few players in any sport have ever dominated. His combination of innate scoring ability, defensive intensity, and all around brilliance make him the prototype for any aspiring NBA swingman. He was probably as close to perfect as a 2 guard can be.

Magic Johnson is the greatest team player in the history of the game. If I ever needed a guy to maximize the talent on a roster I would never think twice before selecting Johnson. He was the only player ever that could truly play all five positions from a offensive standpoint. It is indisputable that he is the best playmaker of all time. He made the finals 9 times from '80-'91 which is widely considered to be the NBA's golden age, and managed to capture five titles in that span. No player symbolized the joy of the game more than Magic, and his contagious personality and ability not only helped make careers, but save them (see, Kareem).

Kareem's longevity is one of the most staggering feats ever. From his first dominate title in Milwaukee, to his final days jogging up the court in showtime, there was no two points more guaranteed than the sky hook. I have always thought of Kareem as the mutant offspring of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain; he certainly understood the concept of playing within himself as well as within a team concept ala Russell, but his individual dominance was such that he warrants comparisons to Wilt.

I will not be arguing against any of these three guys throughout this thread. I do not believe that there is a discernible difference in the impact that these three guys had over their careers despite the fact that they were so very different. I'll be selecting Magic with my vote based on the fact that he brought the most out of those around him, which translated into the Lakers being the dominant team in the most competitive era of basketball.

[PauloCatarino]

Wilt Chamberlain is the GOAT. No other player had his impact in the game of basketball.

[Dornado]

Pretty hard to ignore the fact that two of these three guys have resumes that essentially depend upon each other... well, not that hard apparently for Laker fans.

Michael Jordan is the answer to this question until someone comes around to supplant him.

I consider Kareem to be number 2 with Magic in a not-so-distant tier below those two (behind Wilt as well).

[MemphisX]

I went with Magic. I just loved to watch him play the game. Gave his team whatever they needed. Sometimes I wish he could have played on not so talented teams and been forced to score more than he had to do as a Laker.

[Marcus13]

I believe it was probably Wilt; the most dominant player ever. But I watched MJ play and he made me love the game of basketball, so he gets my vote.

[27dresses]

Everybody has got an opinion

[e-monk]

they're like assholes that way

[27dresses]

Originally Posted by e-monk

they're like assholes that way

Yes, some of the players on that list are or were assholes.

Just my opinion

[e-monk]

I'd say at least 7 of them were full-on assholes actually - Mike, Bird, Russ, Kobe, Shaq, Kareem, Logo

at the very least those guys all exhibited some level of prickishness and assholery (i.e arrogance, pettiness, spitefulness, bragadocio, vindictiveness, egotism, selfishness etc)

and the rest have at least a little of same - elsewise they wouldnt be on that list

[cpawfan]

I'd take a prime Bird over a prime Magic.

Wilt gets my vote

[27dresses]

Originally Posted by e-monk

I'd say at least 7 of them were full-on assholes actually - Mike, Bird, Russ, Kobe, Shaq, Kareem, Logo

at the very least those guys all exhibited some level of prickishness and assholery (i.e arrogance, pettiness, spitefulness, bragadocio, vindictiveness, egotism, selfishness etc)

and the rest have at least a little of same - elsewise they wouldnt be on that list

How could you leave out Wilt?

[e-monk]

I said all of them had at least a little - if anything Wilt might have been too soft

[RollWithEm]

Vote is a runaway. Can we get to #2?

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Dornado

Pretty hard to ignore the fact that two of these three guys have resumes that essentially depend upon each other... well, not that hard apparently for Laker fans.

Michael Jordan is the answer to this question until someone comes around to supplant him.

I consider Kareem to be number 2 with Magic in a not-so-distant tier below those two (behind Wilt as well).

Why does it matter? Everyone needs help to win, especially in that era. Just ask Jordan, didn't he get out of the first round exactly twice (and out of the second round once) through that entire decade?

And I do think it's funny that you're throwing the term "Laker fan" like it's the equivalent of being a homer.

Poster A: States that there is no sure fire best player of all time, merely there are three that are on relatively the same tier: a former Laker, a former Bull, and a former Buck/Laker that did the majority of his damage as a Buck. Poster A has no problem whatsoever with anyone touting any of these three guys as the GOAT.

Poster B: Comes into a thread with a sense of entitlement and immediately dismisses any potential debate against his favorite player.

Who comes off as having an agenda?

I've given my reasons for my selection. I think that Magic is the best offensive player of all time and I don't think it's all that close. Jordan makes up his ground on the defensive end (and he's right up there with best offensive player, arguably number 2) and so I don't have any problem with someone selecting him as their choice. But at least produce an argument as to why you think they're the best (this is no longer solely directed at you, I'm going off on a general tangent).