The next GOAT tier player. What attributes will they have?

[NbaAllDay]

Thought It might be interesting to hypothesis what attributes the next GOAT Tier player will have.

Please don't use this as a forum to debate who the GOAT is.

My Thoughts:

- Given the direction of the NBA I feel we will never see a GOAT level defender considered unless that have an elite offensive game as well. Even if they eclipsed Russell as a defender, the offense has evolved further than defense and it won't be weighted as before.

- I envision given the offensive dominance, we would see someone on the level of Steph as a 3 point shooter but potentially also have the shooting touch at mid range of someone like Durant, as I envision them being 6,6 or above, in which they can also utilise the mid range more effectively.

This height will potentially open up options for this player to play on ball in the post and off ball in a similar capacity, I think this will also open up better passing opportunities (and potentially be seen as a high level passer) while also being a strong overall defender given the height (and just because if they are a spud they wont be GOAT Tier).

- GOAT level shooter
- Elite Defender
- High level Passer
- Strong in Isolation and in a system.
- Collected under pressure (i.e would need to have minimal big game/moment failures)
- Somewhat likable and socially active - Given the social climate you would need someone who is capable of thriving in a public platform and somewhat actively involved (this falls under the intangibles so can be tossed as irrelevant)

[McBubbles]

Thought It might be interesting to hypothesis what attributes the next GOAT Tier player will have.

Please don't use this as a forum to debate who the GOAT is.

My Thoughts:

- Given the direction of the NBA I feel we will never see a GOAT level defender considered unless that have an elite offensive game as well. Even if they eclipsed Russell as a defender, the offense has evolved further than defense and it won't be weighted as before.

- I envision given the offensive dominance, we would see someone on the level of Steph as a 3 point shooter but potentially also have the shooting touch at mid range of someone like Durant, as I envision them being 6,6 or above, in which they can also utilise the mid range more effectively.

This height will potentially open up options for this player to play on ball in the post and off ball in a similar capacity, I think this will also open up better passing opportunities (and potentially be seen as a high level passer) while also being a strong overall defender given the height (and just because if they are a spud they wont be GOAT Tier).

- GOAT level shooter
- Elite Defender
- High level Passer
- Strong in Isolation and in a system.
- Collected under pressure (i.e would need to have minimal big game/moment failures)
- Somewhat likable and socially active - Given the social climate you would need someone who is capable of thriving in a public platform and somewhat actively involved (this falls under the intangibles so can be tossed as irrelevant)

Idk about the NEXT GOAT but I do think the basketball singularity and super GOAT will just be an athletic heliocentric 2 way center. Think Jokic with Tier 1 athleticism that enables them to have a KG, Hakeem, Robinson level of defense.

Interior defenders (who're usually big men) have the biggest defensive impact on the game and ball handlers (who're typically perimeter players) have the biggest offensive impact. So someone that is capable of doing both at a high level will be the super GOAT.

Jokic is imo having a GOAT level season right now and that's without the ATG defence. LeBron at his absolute absolute best was basically a small ball center. Mega heliocentric star on offence and mega rim protector + linebacker on defence was the absolute best. To my knowledge Shaq and Kareem at their absolute best had offensive impacts rivaling that of ATG guards + high level defence. Not even necessarily ATG defence, but mid DPOY level.

And in regards to their personality, they'll have to be likable and stfu. LeBron having extreeeemely milk toast political opinions is enough to have half of America despise him despite him actually being one of the most pleasant and interpersonally controversy free players of all time. So Magic, Lebron, MJ (in adverts) persona + being politically neutral.

OR, having a political stance that in benefit of hindsight everyone agrees is 110% correct. Ali was hated at the time too but is now pretty much universally beloved.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Luka Doncic

[CumberlandPosey]

Luka Doncic

my thoughts
why looking any further...

[penbeast0]

Popular GOAT (they score the most points and have the biggest world-wide marketing machine) or Analytics GOAT (most impact on winning)? I have this feeling the two may still be different.

[sp6r=underrated]

Thought It might be interesting to hypothesis what attributes the next GOAT Tier player will have.

Please don't use this as a forum to debate who the GOAT is.

My Thoughts:

- Given the direction of the NBA I feel we will never see a GOAT level defender considered unless that have an elite offensive game as well. Even if they eclipsed Russell as a defender, the offense has evolved further than defense and it won't be weighted as before.

- I envision given the offensive dominance, we would see someone on the level of Steph as a 3 point shooter but potentially also have the shooting touch at mid range of someone like Durant, as I envision them being 6,6 or above, in which they can also utilise the mid range more effectively.

This height will potentially open up options for this player to play on ball in the post and off ball in a similar capacity, I think this will also open up better passing opportunities (and potentially be seen as a high level passer) while also being a strong overall defender given the height (and just because if they are a spud they wont be GOAT Tier).

- GOAT level shooter
- Elite Defender
- High level Passer
- Strong in Isolation and in a system.
- Collected under pressure (i.e would need to have minimal big game/moment failures)
- Somewhat likable and socially active - Given the social climate you would need someone who is capable of thriving in a public platform and somewhat actively involved (this falls under the intangibles so can be tossed as irrelevant)

Idk about the NEXT GOAT but I do think the basketball singularity and super GOAT will just be an athletic heliocentric 2 way center. Think Jokic with Tier 1 athleticism that enables them to have a KG, Hakeem, Robinson level of defense.

Yup, just skill up Giannis a little more and we're pretty close to what I think the next GOAT will be

[giordunk]

Based on the meta of the last few years it's probably some extremely versatile triple-double threat frontcourt player. Some like scary Jokic/Embiid hybrid lmao.

[Dr Positivity]

If we’re talking Jordan/Lebron level the most likely scenario it’s another do it all perimeter player with elite defense, runs the offense and high level scoring. I think the current string of elite big men is a little bit flukish and based on talent more than era, the current game is still built for perimeter players. The equivalent would be the 80s which I still think was best suited for big men it just happened the most talented players were perimeter players like Magic, Bird and Jordan.

[Prez]

I picture a 6’11” to 7” tall 7’4-5” wingspan, 245 lb super quick but also strong 4/5 defensive terror who can switch any given possession, shut down the paint, cover crazy ground as a help guy. Offensively can dominate inside either as a rim roller or post player but has fluid scoring from outside, and can playmake both as a big or ballhandler.

I guess basically a Durant/Giannis hybrid type player, where he has the frame/strength of Giannis, similar defensive versatility/impact and interior offense, but better shooter, expanded scoring arsenal. Or you could look at it the other way, so Durant with Giannis’ added strength/power, interior finishing, rebounding and defensive impact

[Texas Chuck]

I think they will be elite at basketball. I hate this idea that impact has to come a certain way. It just flies in the face of a league where the best players are Giannis, Jokic, Embiid, Lebron, and Curry in some order. All just completely different players from each other.

Just like in NBA history both Bill Russell and Michael Jordan are GOAT candidates. When we starting thinking in terms like the OP wants we are automatically going to discount the impact of players who don't fit the mold. And that's a mistake.

[ty 4191]

Re: The next GOAT tier player. What attributes will they have?

Nikola Jokic's attributes. As in, exactly.

[Heej]

I picture a 6’11” to 7” tall 7’4-5” wingspan, 245 lb super quick but also strong 4/5 defensive terror who can switch any given possession, shut down the paint, cover crazy ground as a help guy. Offensively can dominate inside either as a rim roller or post player but has fluid scoring from outside, and can playmake both as a big or ballhandler.

I guess basically a Durant/Giannis hybrid type player, where he has the frame/strength of Giannis, similar defensive versatility/impact and interior offense, but better shooter, expanded scoring arsenal. Or you could look at it the other way, so Durant with Giannis’ added strength/power, interior finishing, rebounding and defensive impact

Exactly. The two most important basketball traits are size and fluidity bar none. Those are the two biggest natural trait gaps to overcome for any basketball player. Realistically the next true GOAT candidate is going to be exactly in this mold. A stronger KD with better passing. Or a more fluid Giannis with better shooting ability. Someone that's damn near switchable 1-5 and able to create from any position on the floor. Also someone with a high IQ and work ethic. I don't think any other answer makes sense as far as player build goes