Michael Jordan was one of my heroes as a kid. I even had Jordan pajamas In the 1988 season, he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and the NBA's scoring title. His insane '88 season went like this: 35 points on 53% shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.2 steals, 1.6 blocks.

And i still think he is no doubt in the top 5 of all time. But, do you feel he's the best? and do you think he will bested? many thought it was Lebron who was going to take that title.

Bill Russell & Kareem-Andul-Jabbar would be right by Jordan in terms of greatness.

What say the org?

[Edited 6/24/14 20:24pm]

[Edited 6/24/14 20:35pm]

Since it is a team game, and there are at least three distinctly different positions, it's hard to say who is the best basketball player of all time.

But Jordan is certainly tied for number 1, IMO.

A few tempers flared in the thread about the NBA Finals this year because this subject came up Jordan won't be topped in our lifetimes, in my opinion.

Hell yes! Jordan is truly the greatest in my book. That's back when basketball was truly exciting to watch. I was a die hard Bulls fan and loved to watch Jordan-Pippen-Kukoc-Armstrong-Rodman take the court and handle business. And the playoffs, my goodness, when they took on the Pacers and Reggie Miller or the Knicks and Ewing...those were games that had me literally in suspense and nearly sweating.

Basketball now is meh. Kind of boring. Back then those were very exciting times...watching the NBA games was definitely a MUST-SEE event.

Been following the NBA since 1970, and here's my top 10 NBA immortals(not up for debate):

1a) Wilt, 1b) Jordan

2) Oscar Robertson

3) Bill Russell

4) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

5) Hakeem Olajuwon

6) Magic Johnson

7) Jerry West

8) John Havlicek

9) Larry Bird

10) Tim Duncan

I know older cats who put The Big O above Wilt and Jordan. His numbers were truly amazing in a more physical league. There was nothing he couldn't do on the court. The NBA's first 'big' guard.

YEP, HE IS

Magic and Wilt are close, but nobody can truly touch Jordan, 6 titles during the '90s, arguably the most talented decade (overall) of american basketball, gold medal in '92...real life drama and comebacks included

living legend

[Edited 6/25/14 7:50am]

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[Edited 6/25/14 7:49am]

JoeTyler said:

YEP, HE IS

Magic and Wilt are close, but nobody can truly touch Jordan, 6 titles during the '90s, arguably the most talented decade (overall) of american basketball, gold medal in '92...real life drama and comebacks included

living legend

[Edited 6/25/14 7:50am]

Kareem won six titles BEFORE Jordan, and Bill Russell(the greatest winner in the history of American team sports and the smartest) has 11.

With me, greatness is not just about titles, but a dude's overall game.

What about Julius Erving (Dr.J)?

missfee said:

Hell yes! Jordan is truly the greatest in my book. That's back when basketball was truly exciting to watch. I was a die hard Bulls fan and loved to watch Jordan-Pippen-Kukoc-Armstrong-Rodman take the court and handle business. And the playoffs, my goodness, when they took on the Pacers and Reggie Miller or the Knicks and Ewing...those were games that had me literally in suspense and nearly sweating.

Basketball now is meh. Kind of boring. Back then those were very exciting times...watching the NBA games was definitely a MUST-SEE event.

Yeah I think the NBA regular seasons have been kind of dull, so I only watch the playoffs now. Are we also talking about Jordan as a business man too or just his basketball playing skills?

Remember the "Be like Mike" commercials?

Beautifulstarr123 said:

What about Julius Erving (Dr.J)?

He'd be in my next 10.

Yes he is after Tim Duncan.

Yes. He won six titles without a dominant big man. I'd love to be able to say Kareem, Wilt, Magic, and the case can always be made for Russell on the basis of titles, but MJ is the GOAT.

namepeace said:

Yes. He won six titles without a dominant big man. I'd love to be able to say Kareem, Wilt, Magic, and the case can always be made for Russell on the basis of titles, but MJ is the GOAT.

But the NBA Jordan played in was a lot different than Wilt & Oscar's. Back in the day, it was WAY more physical and not watered-down with expansion teams. The NBA changed the rules to make it easier for wing players because they wanted more scoring, plus they were tired of the rough style of play used by the Pistons and Knicks. That wasn't the case for Wilt - shit, they made it harder for him, and he still whipped ass. His problem was not always having the quality supporting cast Russell had.

What's funny is, in today's soft NBA(thanks a lot Stern), it's scary to think what a prime Jordan, Drexler, Gervin, Erving, Thompson would do.

uPtoWnNY said:

Jordan is thr guv gtreatedt yu hear me thr fruckin hteates

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

Yes. He won six titles without a dominant big man. I'd love to be able to say Kareem, Wilt, Magic, and the case can always be made for Russell on the basis of titles, but MJ is the GOAT.

But the NBA Jordan played in was a lot different than Wilt & Oscar's. Back in the day, it was WAY more physical and not watered-down with expansion teams. The NBA changed the rules to make it easier for wing players because they wanted more scoring, plus they were tired of the rough style of play used by the Pistons and Knicks. That wasn't the case for Wilt - shit, they made it harder for him, and he still whipped ass. His problem was not always having the quality supporting cast Russell had.

What's funny is, in today's soft NBA(thanks a lot Stern), it's scary to think what a prime Jordan, Drexler, Gervin, Erving, Thompson would do.

Gervin used to play for the San Antonio Spurs, right? He's probably glad right now that his old team won the championship

Beautifulstarr123 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

But the NBA Jordan played in was a lot different than Wilt & Oscar's. Back in the day, it was WAY more physical and not watered-down with expansion teams. The NBA changed the rules to make it easier for wing players because they wanted more scoring, plus they were tired of the rough style of play used by the Pistons and Knicks. That wasn't the case for Wilt - shit, they made it harder for him, and he still whipped ass. His problem was not always having the quality supporting cast Russell had.

What's funny is, in today's soft NBA(thanks a lot Stern), it's scary to think what a prime Jordan, Drexler, Gervin, Erving, Thompson would do.

Gervin used to play for the San Antonio Spurs, right? He's probably glad right now that his old team won the championship

Yes, 'Iceman' Gervin played for the Spurs first in the ABA, then NBA. At the time, I lived in Uniondale, Long Island. My dad would take me to the old Nassau Coliseum to watch the Nets and Dr.J. His battles with Gervin were legendary.

Yes he IS for the reason namepeace already stated. The pre-Jordan era and even post-Jordan era, the team with the best big man wins. That is how the game is played fundamentally. Not the case, though, during the running of The Bulls.

namepeace said:

MJ and the Bulls would have won EIGHT NBA titles in a row if not for that insane experiment in the MLB...

phunkdaddy said:

namepeace said:

Yes. He won six titles without a dominant big man. I'd love to be able to say Kareem, Wilt, Magic, and the case can always be made for Russell on the basis of titles, but MJ is the GOAT.

True MJ won titles without a dominant big man but his first 3 were with a serviceable big man in Bill Cartwright who had better numbers with the Knicks for eight seasons and Horace Grant. All these guys needed to do was defend the paint and give MJ 15 points and 10 boards from the interior and they were good to go. In recent years Kobe and LeBron won titles without dominant big men and the Detroit Pistons 3 titles were won without dominant big men. Magic who I feel can be considered as the GOAT too won his first NBA title as a rookie by scoring 42 points playing center for the Lakers with Kareem injured. I think Magic's accomplishments are often overshadowed due to being forced to retire early. He may have won another title or 2 and would have been the career all time leader in assists.

Believe me I wish I could be with you on this.

Magic is my favorite athlete of all time. I can't tell you how many arguments I had over MJ v. Magic where I was solidly in 32's corner. I agree that Magic's accomplishments have been overshadowed Heck, most folks forget that 2 of the losses he suffered in the Finals -- in 83 against the 76ers and 89 against the Pistons -- he and/or his teams weren't at full strength. He could have easily had 6 or 7 before his retirement.

But the fact remains he and the franchise were on a downward slope by the time he retired. LA beat a heavily favored Blazers team in '91, and were simply outmatched (and outcoached) in tnat Finals. He may have had an outside shot at one more, but it was just that. An outside shot. And this is coming from a huge Lakers fan. In any event, Magic wasn't in Jordan's class as a defender; that's the difference between them (titles aside).

Kobe had Shaq and Gasol (who is only a stones throw away from HOF status). LeBron is thriving in a different era without a big man. True. But neither of them could get *one* threepeat without a dominant big man, much less *two*. And I don't see it happening anytime soon.

namepeace said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Gervin used to play for the San Antonio Spurs, right? He's probably glad right now that his old team won the championship

Yes, 'Iceman' Gervin played for the Spurs first in the ABA, then NBA. At the time, I lived in Uniondale, Long Island. My dad would take me to the old Nassau Coliseum to watch the Nets and Dr.J. His battles with Gervin were legendary.

I just remembered these guys, back in the day, but I didn't follow basketball that intensely to know about the beef. I know that Dr. J played for the 76ers, and he was intensely popular, and somewhat remembered the ABA. Thanks.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Yes, 'Iceman' Gervin played for the Spurs first in the ABA, then NBA. At the time, I lived in Uniondale, Long Island. My dad would take me to the old Nassau Coliseum to watch the Nets and Dr.J. His battles with Gervin were legendary.

I just remembered these guys, back in the day, but I didn't follow basketball that intensely to know about the beef. I know that Dr. J played for the 76ers, and he was intensely popular, and somewhat remembered the ABA. Thanks.

Believe me when I tell you, the NBA never saw the best of Julius Erving. The Doctor was downright VICIOUS in his ABA days.

Best Julius Erving dunk has to be the windmill facial on Michael Cooper at the end of the 1982-'83 season.

phunkdaddy said:

namepeace said:

Believe me I wish I could be with you on this.

Magic is my favorite athlete of all time. I can't tell you how many arguments I had over MJ v. Magic where I was solidly in 32's corner. I agree that Magic's accomplishments have been overshadowed Heck, most folks forget that 2 of the losses he suffered in the Finals -- in 83 against the 76ers and 89 against the Pistons -- he and/or his teams weren't at full strength. He could have easily had 6 or 7 before his retirement.

But the fact remains he and the franchise were on a downward slope by the time he retired. LA beat a heavily favored Blazers team in '91, and were simply outmatched (and outcoached) in tnat Finals. He may have had an outside shot at one more, but it was just that. An outside shot. And this is coming from a huge Lakers fan. In any event, Magic wasn't in Jordan's class as a defender; that's the difference between them (titles aside).

Kobe had Shaq and Gasol (who is only a stones throw away from HOF status). LeBron is thriving in a different era without a big man. True. But neither of them could get *one* threepeat without a dominant big man, much less *two*. And I don't see it happening anytime soon.

I give you props on that. Good insight. The Sixers fan in me say the Sixers would have still beaten the Lakers in 1983 at full strength 4-2 instead of a sweep. It was just big Moses year. His lucky number was FO Fi FO

Thanks . . . that's why I say 6 or 7; not so sure LA could have beaten that all-time Sixers team even at full strength.

I think they were on their way to a threepeat in 89 when Byron went down before Game 1 and Magic went down midway through Game 2. They were undefeated in the playoffs until that point. The West wasn't as strong as the East back then BUT for LA to do that after going back-to-back was impressive.

uPtoWnNY said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

I just remembered these guys, back in the day, but I didn't follow basketball that intensely to know about the beef. I know that Dr. J played for the 76ers, and he was intensely popular, and somewhat remembered the ABA. Thanks.

Believe me when I tell you, the NBA never saw the best of Julius Erving. The Doctor was downright VICIOUS in his ABA days.

Agreed.