RGM GOAT Debate Thread

[GSWFan1994]

I'm voting for Bird here. Even if he didn't peak as high as some other names, he's at least the 3rd best passer of this group, and by far the best shooter... so, all things considered, all areas of the games considered, overall it's Bird for me.

Oh boy, how I miss watching a full Larry Bird game I haven't yet discovered. Guess now I know what I'll be doing tonight, kind gentlemen.

[jojo4341]

As many have said...in reality, it's Lebron. From the poll, it's Bird. He can rebound, pass, shoot, create his own shot, above average defense, high BBIQ (even relative to all-time greats) and play off-ball. His only real weakness is not being an elite athlete.

[Myth]

You dared to not include LeBron at all?

By all around, I mean triple double threat: a guy who does a bit of everything. Lebron has been more of a prolific scorer than an all around player; it's hard to classify, but I just don't see him as an all around player like Kidd, Magic, Doncic, etc.

I'm open to a debate on this subject matter because I admit I could be wrong.

Aw yes, all around, and you include prolific scorer who is terrible at defense like James Harden. Agenda thread is obvious.

[Homer38]

Kind of like 2011 nba finals James choke lol?

And like how Dirk choked in the first round in 2007 against the 8th seeded Warriors.

He redeemed himself in 2011, spent two decades with the Mavs, and never crawled away to team up with other superstar players to form a superteam. I would take his 2011 championship over any other.

LeBron redeemed himself so many time too

[Stan]

Leaving off LeBron makes this poll pointless.

[Lalouie]

the thing that people rarely ever mention about bird, even though it's been stated a few times,,,,,is that he was actually by player accounts who played against him, 6'10

far be it for someone to start posting photos, but it at least meant that's how he was perceived

[Bergmaniac]

The mental gymnastics to exclude LeBron here are quite impressive. He is 4th in the all-time assist list and a better playmaker than many players who averaged higher APG than him. He may be a slightly better scorer than a playmaker, but the poll includes players which were way better playmakers than scorers like Jason Kidd.

[xdrta+]

Include Harden on the list but not LeBron.

[Mirotic12]

Out of the players on the poll option, it's definitely Bird.

[CobraCommander]

LeBron.

Most points ever but a pass first power forward sized wing that could play defense -

[Hair Jordan]

From the list above: Bird. The fact that he’s winning this poll even though Luka and Harden put up video game stats and monster triple doubles goes to show that we’re in the steroids era of basketball and most posters on RealGM agree

[Hair Jordan]

LeBron.

Most points ever but a pass first power forward sized wing that could play defense -

Lebron as a pass first player is the biggest myth in NBA history.

[CobraCommander]

The mental gymnastics to exclude LeBron here are quite impressive. He is 4th in the all-time assist list and a better playmaker than many players who averaged higher APG than him. He may be a slightly better scorer than a playmaker, but the poll includes players which were way better playmakers than scorers like Jason Kidd.

I’m not sure he is a slightly better scorer...lol. He is the second best player all time cause he is all around as good as or better than anyone else at nearly everything

[CobraCommander]

I can’t vote with these options with a clear conscience

[Lo Wang]

You dared to not include LeBron at all?

By all around, I mean triple double threat: a guy who does a bit of everything. Lebron has been more of a prolific scorer than an all around player; it's hard to classify, but I just don't see him as an all around player like Kidd, Magic, Doncic, etc.

I'm open to a debate on this subject matter because I admit I could be wrong.

Then why not just make a list of the All-Time Triple Double leaders, or most Triple Doubles in a season, and call it a day?

This feels like a stealth LeBron trolling thread. I'm not even a LeBron fan -- just clicked it to see how much he was in the lead only to find he didn't even make the ballot, lol.

Even just by your 'Triple Double threat' standard, LeBron is 5th all time...

And to the other stuff or "a bit of everything," all time ranking:

AST - 4th
STL - 8th
REB - 31st
BLK - 82nd

You're reasoning implies his scoring somehow takes away from his all around-ness. Out of the other major 4 categories, he's top 31 in 3/4. That alone would suggest to me a somewhat all around player; being the #1 all time leading scorer on top of that supports being an 'all around player,' not taking away from.

Wow you guys are legit sensitive

[Lo Wang]

You dared to not include LeBron at all?

By all around, I mean triple double threat: a guy who does a bit of everything. Lebron has been more of a prolific scorer than an all around player; it's hard to classify, but I just don't see him as an all around player like Kidd, Magic, Doncic, etc.

I'm open to a debate on this subject matter because I admit I could be wrong.

Then why not just make a list of the All-Time Triple Double leaders, or most Triple Doubles in a season, and call it a day?

This feels like a stealth LeBron trolling thread. I'm not even a LeBron fan -- just clicked it to see how much he was in the lead only to find he didn't even make the ballot, lol.

Even just by your 'Triple Double threat' standard, LeBron is 5th all time...

And to the other stuff or "a bit of everything," all time ranking:

AST - 4th
STL - 8th
REB - 31st
BLK - 82nd

You're reasoning implies his scoring somehow takes away from his all around-ness. Out of the other major 4 categories, he's top 31 in 3/4. That alone would suggest to me a somewhat all around player; being the #1 all time leading scorer on top of that supports being an 'all around player,' not taking away from.

He's only had one season where he's the primary facilitator. I agree he's a great all around player, but compare to guys like Doncic, Jokic, and Kidd? Please. He's more of a scorer, so he belongs in the MJ, Kobe, Curry category. How am I trolling when that is the most legit category?

[NoStatsGuy]

leaving lebron off that poll is obvious trolling

iq, passing, scoring in all ways, athleticsm + bodycontrol (which leads to excellent positioning, rebounding and defensive capabilites) everything is at least A+ if not S tier. no other player combines all those skills.

there is no other correct answer than lebron, im sorry

[Lo Wang]

leaving lebron off that poll is obvious trolling

there is no other correct answer

I'm not budging. Sorry dude, create your own thread if you believe this. I didn't include Nash or Stockton and they are more versatile than Lebron.

[The4thHorseman]

Kind of like 2011 nba finals James choke lol?

And like how Dirk choked in the first round in 2007 against the 8th seeded Warriors.

He redeemed himself in 2011, spent two decades with the Mavs, and never crawled away to team up with other superstar players to form a superteam. I would take his 2011 championship over any other.

There's no such thing as redemption for a 67 win team (best record in the league) who loses in the first round to a 42 win 8 seed.

[Homer38]

LeBron.

Most points ever but a pass first power forward sized wing that could play defense -

Lebron as a pass first player is the biggest myth in NBA history.

No