RealGM Top 100 List 2017 -- #7

[Pablo Novi]

I'm glad Magic finally got on to the GOAT. Because I had him considerably higher.

GOAT #1: Kareem (67% more Great Years than MJ; 67% more Finals than MJ; circa 67% more WinShares than MJ; most: unstoppable & clutch shot - Shy Hook).

GOAT #2: Magic (#1 PG - so, in my system, he has to be in the GOAT Top 5 - one player per position per set of five).
Because, imo, he was the GOAT #1 or GOAT #2 TEAM-mate (about equal to LeBron imo); I rank him over other GOAT Top 5ers:

GOAT #3 MJ (who was NOT a great TEAM-mate - punching two teammates, quitting twice, frankly,imo, a bit to maniacal.)

GOAT #4 LBJ (tied for best TEAM-mate; but I have him moving up one GOAT spot per year - and think this will continue.

GOAT #5 TD

6 Wilt (barely under Kareem and barely over Shaq; most Era-dominant player ever (unless you count Mikan; but he played in a far weaker Era.)
7 Dr J (Not yet far behind LBJ, just ahead of Bird. He was a phenom in the ABA; and held his own vs Bird in the NBA)
8 Kobe (I have him over MJ per Regular Seasons due to a 15-11 edge in Great Years; MJ's Play-Off brilliance pushed MJ barely over Kobe for me. I don't have Kobe far over Jerry West).
9 Big "O" (barely behind Magic and over Stockton)
10 Karl Malone (barely squeaks by TD for Regular Season; TD passes him with far superior Play-Offs

11 Shaq (barely behind Wilt; ahead of Bill Russell).
12 Jerry West
13 Larry Bird
14 John Stockton
15 Bob Pettit

MY ULTRA-CONTROVERSIAL STAND ON BILL RUSSELL:
16 Bill Russell (easily my most controversial choice. You can not be in my GOAT Top 15 if you were DOMINATED at YOUR position during YOUR career. In head-to-head seasons, comparing ALL-NBA 1st Team vs ALL-NBA 2nd Team; Wilt dominated Russ 7-2!

I watched both their careers. I saw Wilt with the Harlem Globetrotters a number of times LIVE. I saw Russell a number of times LIVE at the Gaaaden.

Russell's TEAMS beat Wilt's TEAMS because: the over-all talent level was better (usually a good deal better) on Russ's teams. Further, imo, the ONLY coach I ever "hated" due to his arrogance, was Red Auerbach. But he was EASILY the greatest Era-wise: GM and Coach. I am SURE that he was easily worth the 2-3 plus points with which the C's regularly squeaked by Wilt's teams.

Another way to put it:
In my opinion, if Wilt had been switched with Russell, those Celtics All-Star teams would have won about as many Chips; whereas Russell's teams would have fared worse than they did with Wilt. imo, if Russell had been switched with Nate Thurmond, similar results would have happened. Sure Russell was the #1 defender; but he BARELY slowed Wilt (circa 5 pts per game) in their 100 or so head-to-heads; and Russell had his entire team helping out on defense.

ONE MORE NOTE ON WILT: WILT WAS A G-R-E-A-T HUMAN BEING, UNSELFISH TO THE MAX!
People don't much raise this; but I LIVED it. Wilt, in college, INTEGRATED first a whole city, then a whole region (almost by himself). The courage it took to go into segregated places (mostly in the South) and sit in the front - can not be overestimated. White racists were regularly ARMED and enthusiastic about keeping "blacks in their place".

So, I just can not accept that while Wilt was one of the greatest PEOPLE ever; somehow, just on the basketball court - he was supposedly selfish. It is totally out of character for him. It's a MYTH that has grown with the years (and spurred on by his other-wordly dominance on the court).

Lastly, imo, Wilt was THE ATHLETE OF THE 1900s (all sports). He was an absolute FREAK of nature - being truly world-class in several "disciplines": strength, STAMINA, explosiveness (quicks), fast, coordinated.

The only reason I can't put him over KAJ and into my GOAT Top 5; is because KAJ had significantly more Great Years (and, unfortunately for Wilt - facing Russell's C's so many times) significantly more Play-Off success too.

[drza]

Twin brother of Dick Van Arsdale. Both were 3-time all stars, although having seen both I always felt that Dick was the better player. Dick was the better shooter, better passer and better defender. Both were 6-5 and could play both the 2 or 3 position; Tom more suited as a 3 (better rebounder than Dick) and Dick more suited for the 2. Neither are in the Hall of Fame and neither are likely to make the RealGM Top 100.

Mama always liked Dick best (if you get this reference, you are OLD).

Sounds like Smothers Brothers, to me.

"MOM LIKED YOU BEST!"

"Lower your voice!"

(Barry White voice) "Mom liked you BEST!"

Penbeast...was I right?

[penbeast0]

Mama always liked Dick best (if you get this reference, you are OLD).

Sounds like Smothers Brothers, to me.

"MOM LIKED YOU BEST!"

"Lower your voice!"

(Barry White voice) "Mom liked you BEST!"

Penbeast...was I right?

OF course. With the first names being Tom and Dick anyway, how could it not come to mind for those that remember the routine.