RealGM

Since the game changes so much and is so different than what it even was in the 80s we should bestoy GOAT as a generational thing or even for a 10 year period?

50-George Mikan
60s Wilt and Bill
70s Dr J and Kareem
80s Magic Johnson and Larry Bird
90s Michael Jordan
00s Kobe Bryant
10s LeBron
20s-?


Would this be the best format going forward or should there always be one GOAT? I feel some eras even have a dual goat.

sure why not, it can be like a 2nd place trophy to the one true GOAT -> MJ

I suppose so..

For those that want to deny Lebron being the clear GOAT it’s not a bad consolation.

Yes it should be though I don't agree with those names.

Not really the GOAT if you do that though.

gst8 wrote:Not really the GOAT if you do that though.

Greatest of that time era

GOTTE

gst8 wrote:Not really the GOAT if you do that though.

After a point it is comparing apples to oranges though. Mikan's generation's rules/play styles/systems/etc. are nothing like today's league and it's not far to compare the two.

Need to change it to GOATY: Greatest Of About Ten Years

GrindCityHustle wrote:Since the game changes so much and is so different than what it even was in the 80s we should bestoy GOAT as a generational thing or even for a 10 year period?

50-George Mikan
60s Wilt and Bill
70s Dr J and Kareem
80s Magic Johnson and Larry Bird
90s Michael Jordan
00s Kobe Bryant
10s LeBron
20s-?


Would this be the best format going forward or should there always be one GOAT? I feel some eras even have a dual goat.

Kobe was never considered the GOAT of any generation. Even at Kobe's best, LeBron was still better than him, and also in Kobe's era an argument can be made for Tim Duncan.

But LeBron has legitimately been the best player in the NBA every year since 2006.

Mamba4Goat wrote:

gst8 wrote:Not really the GOAT if you do that though.

After a point it is comparing apples to oranges though. Mikan's generation's rules/play styles/systems/etc. are nothing like today's league and it's not far to compare the two.

True, which is why I don’t really try but if you’re going to do it... do it.

I’ve always subscribed to the idea that it’s like a “belt.” You hold it, til someone comes and knocks you off.

No, MJ transcends all.

LBJ will never be GOAT

Just so we could award the runners up? Nope

PS

MJ's the GOAT

SWYM wrote:No, MJ transcends all.

LBJ will never be GOAT

What if I told you there was a center with Zion level athleticism that lead the league in scoring tons of years, 20rpg was just a normal thing for him, and he even led the league in assists for a year or two? Also, this dude was strong enough to be able to lift with Arnold. He even scored 100 points in a game too. Still making MJ the one and only? Kareem isn't as fun to describe but he also should merit discussions. Same goes for the 12 time NBA champ Russell.

VanWest82 wrote:Need to change it to GOATY: Greatest Of About Ten Years

That's the best one

SWYM wrote:No, MJ transcends all.

LBJ will never be GOAT

IF his space jam 2 intro can outdo Michael's

Idk cause there's no clear cut Best of them all for some of those decades.

For the 10s Lebron gets majority of the votes but some may say Curry (I don't agree), Durant (eh)

00s Some say Kobe, some say Shaq, and Duncan

The 90s It's MJ at the top for sure.

For the 80s both Magic and Bird have a legit case.

For the 70s Kareem is pretty much unanimous but Dr J would have a case if he wasn't in the ABA for some of that time.

For 60s There's Russell and Wilt. Wilt for his individual gifts and accomplishment, and Russell for anchoring a great defense and leading Boston to the 11 championships.

This is why MJ is the Greatest of All Time to me. He had no peer on the Mountain top of that decade with him, but he alongside Pippen consistently denied all those Hall of Fame Worthy guys from grabbing a single championship throughout that time.

That's already how it works as far as basketball fans are concerned.

Every generation of basketball fans proclaim its best/favorite player as the GOAT.

OdomFan wrote:Idk cause there's no clear cut Best of them all for some of those decades.

For the 10s Lebron gets majority of the votes but some may say Curry (I don't agree), Durant (eh)

00s Some say Kobe, some say Shaq, and Duncan

The 90s It's MJ at the top for sure.

For the 80s both Magic and Bird have a legit case.

For the 70s Kareem is pretty much unanimous but Dr J would have a case if he wasn't in the ABA for some of that time.

For 60s There's Russell and Wilt. Wilt for his individual gifts and accomplishment, and Russell for anchoring a great defense and leading Boston to the 11 championships.

This is why MJ is the Greatest of All Time to me. He had no peer on the Mountain top of that decade with him, but he alongside Pippen consistently denied all those Hall of Fame Worthy guys from grabbing a single championship throughout that time.

Good take

I think the MJ vs LeBron debate is always so intense because the 2nd best players of their era were miles behind compared to the 70s 80s and even 00s.

For sure. Comparing players across eras has always been completely worthless.