RealGM

(I'd expect this to be ~70% MJ, 20% LeBron, and about 10% KAJ.)

So, who is the greatest player of all time, in your opinion? Let's discuss!

I still pick Jordan but LBJ,Kareem and Russell have also good arguments to be number 1

I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

Thanks for voting/responding.

Can you explain why Lebron is GOAT to you?

Jordan

I've been watching basketball since the 80s. I've seen some excellent players. Jordan's drive and will is unmatched for me. Losing was worse than dying for that man.

MJ

LBJ, Kareem, Magic and Bird are interchangeable between 2-5 with Timmy right behind.

Jordan, mainly because he has the most accolades in NBA history, had the greatest peak in NBA history, and transcended the sport in a way we've rarely seen in the history of mankind. The fact that Lebron is playing in his 5th prime and is in Year 20 and has yet to surpass Jordan in accolades/awards speaks volumes on how great his peak was.

I’m ok with either Jordan, KAJ, or LBJ being picked as the goat. An argument can be made for any of the three mentioned.

This could use a poll.

I've got Jordan as my GOAT with LeBron, Kareem and Russell in the same tier.

MJ

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

I’ve seen them all up close and personal also and it’s easily Jordan

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

First off, I don't believe there's any one right answer here. Obviously cases can be made for several players, notably MJ. I'm not going to smear MJ at all.

I just think Lebron is the best player I've ever seen. I don't think he has the best resume of course, but just in terms of pure skill in every facet, he's my guy.

The big thing for me, resume-wise, is I like to think what would have happened in Cleveland in 2003 if he had Jerry Krause at GM and Phil Jackson at coach (or whoever you consider to be their equivalents at the time). How many titles does Lebron win if he's surrounded with the proper teammates and coaching? I know it's all a thought exercise and ultimately irrelevant, but I think the answer is "a lot of titles". Maybe, maybe not, and we'll never know, but it's something I consider.

I was lucky enough to have the two best players of my lifetime in my team's division. Some would call that unlucky, but I saw Jordan live like 30 times. I've seen Lebron live less times because I had kids, but I've seen him live at least 10 or 12 times. They both absolutely wrecked the Bucks, but I consider it a privilege to have seen them both so often.

Dutchball97 wrote:This could use a poll.

Absolutely. I'll try to add one.

Bill Russell, Chamberlain, Jerry West, Jordan, LeBron and Bird all have a case. Jokic will be talked about in these terms in the future.

azcatz11 wrote:

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

I’ve seen them all up close and personal also and it’s easily Jordan

Not really even looking for an argument, but I strongly disagree that it's "easily" anyone.

Crazy that prime MJ is still far & away the best player ever despite 25 years since reitrement.

buckboy wrote:

azcatz11 wrote:

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

I’ve seen them all up close and personal also and it’s easily Jordan

Not really even looking for an argument, but I strongly disagree that it's "easily" anyone.

The longevity + passing are only aspects LeBron is clear of MJ...

So yeah, it's fair to say that MJ is easily the GOAT.

Drygon wrote:Crazy that prime MJ is still far & away the best player ever despite 25 years since reitrement.

LBJ,Kareem and Bill Russell have a argument....

Added a poll, everyone. Please submit your vote. Thanks!

buckboy wrote:I'm 51. I've seen them all, up close and personal.

My vote is LeBron.

You've seen Wilt and Russell?

Are there any other players with legit GOAT cases?

Wilt
Russell
Kareem
LeBron
Jordan

Anyone else?