Amanda Knapp
The title of GOAT in basketball is a highly contested topic, with many believing that Michael Jordan is the undisputed Greatest of All Time. However, in recent years, LeBron James has been closing the gap, with some believing that his longevity and sustained performance at the highest level make him the rightful holder of the title. The debate around the basketball GOAT is not limited to these two players, with other greats such as Bill Russell, Earvin Magic Johnson Jr.., and Larry Bird also being left out of the conversation. The criteria for determining the GOAT include objective measures such as statistics and championships, as well as subjective factors like an athlete's impact on and off the court.
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's competitiveness
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, or the "G.O.A.T." His competitiveness is often cited as a key factor in his success. Jordan himself attributed his success to his passion for the game: "The greatest thing about the game of basketball, to me, is the passion, the love that I have for it…When you have love for anything you will go to the extreme."
Jordan's competitiveness was legendary, both on and off the court. He was known for his tireless work ethic, trash-talking, and a mean streak in golf. He would even turn drinking water into a competition. This competitiveness extended to his teammates, who he would yell at during practice to motivate them to meet his high standards. Jordan once shared that "we gotta rely upon our team, but that doesn't change our individual work ethic. We gotta go out and try to be the best no matter what."
Jordan's trainer, Tim Grover, provides insight into his relentless work ethic: "I would give him a certain amount of reps to do, but he would never stop at that number. If I asked for six, I knew he was gonna do 12." Jordan's competitiveness also led him to add 15 pounds of muscle in one summer to prepare for a rival, forever changing the way athletes train.
Jordan's competitiveness was not limited to the basketball court. As the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, he would take on players half his age in scrimmages. Even in his 50s, he once stopped one of his basketball camps to challenge a 17-year-old OJ Mayo, who boasted that Jordan couldn't guard him. Jordan sent everyone to bed and proclaimed, "You may be the best HS player, but I'm the best player in the world. From this point on, it's a lesson."
Jordan's competitiveness was so intense that it could be off-putting to others. His trash-talking was notorious, and he was known to humiliate opponents. Former NBA star Muggsy Bogues shared that Jordan's taunts during a game ruined his career. Jordan's competitiveness even extended to his personal life, as he was known to be ruthless in golf and gambling, wagering thousands on the outcome of matches.
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LeBron James' 2016 run
LeBron James is considered by many to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, alongside Michael Jordan. In 2016, James signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year deal, becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career.
James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever championship title in 2016. He led both teams in the NBA Finals in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He scored 41 points in Game 5, 41 more in Game 6, and put up a triple-double in Game 7. With just under two minutes on the clock, he chased down Andre Iguodala and made a block to keep the game tied. This block is considered one of the greatest in NBA history.
James's performance in the 2016 NBA Finals transformed him into an NBA legend. He was already the best player in basketball for most of his 13 years in the league, a four-time MVP, a 12-time All-Star, and the 11th-leading scorer in NBA history by the age of 31.
In 2016, James was the third-highest-earning sportsperson in the world. That year, he also hosted an unscripted series on CNBC called Cleveland Hustles, where four up-and-coming Northern Ohio entrepreneurs were financed on the condition of revitalizing a neighborhood in Cleveland.
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Wilt Chamberlain's scoring and assisting
Wilt Chamberlain is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, with a career that spanned many records. Affectionately known by nicknames such as "The Big Dipper", "Wilt the Stilt", and "The Load", Chamberlain dominated the NBA with his scoring and assisting prowess.
Chamberlain's scoring ability was evident from his early career, as he scored 52 points in his debut for the Kansas varsity team in 1956, setting a school record. He continued his scoring prowess in the NBA, averaging 37.6 points per game in his rookie season with the Warriors. Chamberlain went on to win seven consecutive scoring titles from 1959 to 1966, an NBA record. On March 2, 1962, he set an NBA record by scoring 100 points in a single game for the Philadelphia Warriors, shattering his previous record of 78 points. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points per game in the 1961-62 season, another NBA record. He also led the league in field goal percentage on nine occasions and was the NBA's top scorer seven times.
Chamberlain's assisting skills were also notable, as he led the league in total assists in the 1967-68 season with 702 assists. He became the only center to lead the league in assists and was also an NBA Assists Leader in 1972 and 1973 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain was the first player in NBA history to record a 20-point/20-rebound/20-assist game in 1968, showcasing his all-around ability. During his two championship seasons, his assists increased, recording two consecutive seasons with eight assists per game.
Chamberlain's durability and consistency were remarkable, as he averaged 45.8 minutes played per game and totaled 31,419 points and 23,924 rebounds during his NBA career. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and has been named to multiple NBA Anniversary Teams, recognizing his impact on the league.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's longevity
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Abdul-Jabbar played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, with his career spanning two decades. He played in 95% of his team's regular-season games during his career, including 80 or more games in 11 of his 20 seasons, and even playing in all 82 games five times.
Abdul-Jabbar was a pioneer in using yoga in the NBA, and he credited Bruce Lee with teaching him "the discipline and spirituality of martial arts", which he said was responsible for his ability to play competitively in the NBA for 20 years with very few injuries. He also missed just 80 regular-season games over the course of his career, a remarkable feat for someone who played deep into the playoffs and stood at 7'2".
Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, was a 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach. He was also the NBA scoring champion in 1971 and 1972, and he became the first player to be named the NBA Most Valuable Player twice in his first three years.
Abdul-Jabbar's longevity is often compared to that of LeBron James, with some arguing that Abdul-Jabbar's longevity is just as impressive. While LeBron has had better seasons at age 38 and 39, Abdul-Jabbar still averaged 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game from 1982 to 1989, after the age of 35. He also averaged above 20 points in the six seasons following his final MVP win in 1980, including 23 points per game in his 17th season at age 38.
In conclusion, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's longevity is undoubtedly impressive, and he remains one of the greatest players in NBA history.
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Bill Russell's 11 championship rings
The title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in basketball is highly contested, with the conversation usually revolving around Michael Jordan and LeBron James. However, many believe that Bill Russell, with his 11 championship rings, should be in the conversation for the GOAT. Russell played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. During his 13 seasons in the league, he led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. No other team has ever won more than three consecutively. Russell was the consummate team player, taking pride in performing the productive duties that ultimately won games. Russell's rebounding and defence were his fortes, and he played with an "animal intensity". He also understood that the mental component of basketball was as important as the physical aspects. Russell played in an era before Defensive Player of the Year awards, but it is believed that he would have won several. Russell's teams were 10-0 in Game 7s throughout his career, an NBA record.
Russell was also the first player-coach in the NBA, winning two of his 11 championship rings in 1968 and 1969 as the player-coach of the Celtics. Russell's achievements in the NBA made him one of only eight players in the history of basketball to achieve the Triple Crown. In addition to his NBA career, Russell played college basketball for the San Francisco Dons, leading them to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. He was also the captain of the gold medal-winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Russell's impact extended beyond the basketball court. He was doggedly committed to using his platform to amplify his political actions, setting a template for today's athlete activists. In recognition of his impact, former US President Barack Obama presented Russell with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. On June 15, 2017, Russell was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Frequently asked questions
GOAT stands for "Greatest of All Time".
While opinions vary, Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the GOAT of basketball. However, LeBron James is also a popular choice, with some arguing that he has surpassed Jordan as the sport's GOAT.
Various criteria are considered when determining the GOAT in basketball. Objective measures such as statistics and championships won are often taken into account. Subjective factors, such as an athlete's intangible traits and impact on the sport, are also considered.
The term GOAT is believed to have originated in the hip-hop culture of the 1990s, popularized by rapper and actor LL Cool J. The term gradually crossed into mainstream culture and sports conversations in the 21st century.
