[epic37311]

Originally Posted by legend

I have had this arguement with lots of others , so why not you people? Who was the best of all time? Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, a man they actually changed the rules when he was in COLLEGE to limit his dominence or Michael Jordan, a player who won as many titles as Jabbar, but against clearly inferior opponents? I think you see how I am leaning.

Micheal Jordan by far. As a matter of fact I think he was the greatest player in any sport. He also was a player that kids could look up to, an excellant role model ( just look at Barry Bonds, T. O., Big Mac, Allen Iverson ect ect), and I think he had some decent opponents like Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Issah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson. I Think that guy named Bird was pretty decent.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by epic37311

Micheal Jordan by far. As a matter of fact I think he was the greatest player in any sport. He also was a player that kids could look up to, an excellant role model ( just look at Barry Bonds, T. O., Big Mac, Allen Iverson ect ect), and I think he had some decent opponents like Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Issah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson. I Think that guy named Bird was pretty decent.

There is a pitcher/batter named Ruth, a hockey player named Gretzky, a soccer player named Pele'...an all around (three major sports) guy named Thorpe and a few others who might beg to differ...

As for role model?...The dude was in a few headline making gambling stories...is going through a divorce now...shouldn't Saint him jsut yet.

[bresilhac]

It's difficult for me to select just one single player as the best of all time. You have to break it down by position then you can have a true telling.

PG - John Stockton. The best pure point guard of all time without question.

SG - Michael Jordan. His ability to take over the biggest games is unmatched by any player.

SF - Larry Bird. Similar to Jordan Larry Legend had a knack for pushing the Celtics over the top when it mattered most.

PF - Tim Duncan - Possessing all of the great tools needed to dominate at the position nobody combines the power and finesse game better.

C - Hakeem Olajuwon - His greatness as a center seemed to redefine the position. Maybe the most underrated great center of all time.

Sure there other great players that have played. But during my time watching the game these stand out as the very best. Obviously players like George Gervin, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone etc. deserve mention but they were not the absolute best at their position imo.

[legend]

If Wilt Chamberlain played today, he might average 60 a game instead of 50, there is such an absence of post players with any ability. Jabbar would average 40 and Dave Cowens probably would go for 28 a game.
As for Jordan being a great role model, like Gotham said, he'd bet on two beetles crossing the street.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

If Wilt Chamberlain played today, he might average 60 a game instead of 50, there is such an absence of post players with any ability. Jabbar would average 40 and Dave Cowens probably would go for 28 a game.
As for Jordan being a great role model, like Gotham said, he'd bet on two beetles crossing the street.

See now, I like it when we find common ground...Wilt was in a league all his own...Cowen once out rebounded both Wilt and Jabbar in an All-Star game...totally underrated player...and my favorite of All-time...

[legend]

Could you imagine today's lame excuses for centers trying to deal with him? A guy who could shoot from 18 feet out and put the ball on the floor, rebound and hustle like crazy.

[MJHMarc]

Yao couldn't even stand next to Wilt.

[ThePundit]

Jordan is the best without question. Chamberlain was like A-Rod. He put up all sorts of useless stats during the season and then disappeared in the playoffs..

Are you telling me he couldn't beat the Celtics, just once? They also had Jerry West and Elgin Baylor on those teams. So you can't even use the supporting cast as an excuse.

And a crippled Willis Reed who was 6 inches shorter than Wilt outplayed him in '69.

[phileba2003]

Jabbar was a great player but I can't see giving him the title of "Greatest" My vote goes to Wilt and then Jordan coming in at a VERY close 2nd.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Jordan is the best without question. Chamberlain was like A-Rod. He put up all sorts of useless stats during the season and then disappeared in the playoffs..

Are you telling me he couldn't beat the Celtics, just once? They also had Jerry West and Elgin Baylor on those teams. So you can't even use the supporting cast as an excuse.

And a crippled Willis Reed who was 6 inches shorter than Wilt outplayed him in '69.

1st of all Wilt was not always on the same teams as West and Baylor...2nd, you got to give the Celtics their due...and 3rd look at Reed's supporting cast, it was not too shabby...

There has never been a player of Wilt's equal...the man could run a 440 in 49 minutes, high jump 7 feet...throw the shot, dominate in basketball, was outstanding at volleyball...no one like him...What did his Airness hit in the minor leagues?

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by bresilhac

It's difficult for me to select just one single player as the best of all time. You have to break it down by position then you can have a true telling.

PG - John Stockton. The best pure point guard of all time without question.

SG - Michael Jordan. His ability to take over the biggest games is unmatched by any player.

SF - Larry Bird. Similar to Jordan Larry Legend had a knack for pushing the Celtics over the top when it mattered most.

PF - Tim Duncan - Possessing all of the great tools needed to dominate at the position nobody combines the power and finesse game better.

C - Hakeem Olajuwon - His greatness as a center seemed to redefine the position. Maybe the most underrated great center of all time.

Sure there other great players that have played. But during my time watching the game these stand out as the very best. Obviously players like George Gervin, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone etc. deserve mention but they were not the absolute best at their position imo.

Stockton over Magic at PG? No way. And what about Cousy? And I would take Oscar Robertson over Stockton, also.
Agree with Jordan
Olajuwan was great, but not in Jabbar's league.
Bird - agree.
Duncan? Maybe but arguable.

[MJHMarc]

This whole discussion is arguable.

Duncan doesn't deserve to be on that list, so take him off immediately!

[americanwit]

I can't believe no one is talking about Russell. Or what about the Dr. He changed the game of basketball more than anyone. He is more responsible for todays game than Michael did. Michael took it to another level no doubt, but Michael was influenced by the Dr. and what he did for basketball.

[WannaBeLikeMike]

First off, we only lend credit to those writing these responses by actually debating the topics that are up here. But since I'm here, only Wilt and Michael belong in this discussion. One, Wilt, should have the record book re-written to read "The Wilt Chamberlain Story" and the other had unprecedented success the likes that only Russell experienced(if you don't count the 17 games he played his first year back, not even a 1/4 of the season, he won six straight titles) all while putting up numbers that weren't ever seen on a consistent basis from a Guard. Name the last time a guard led the league in scoring and won a NBA Title??? Still thinking...time's up! The answer...none. Other than Michael Jordan, only twice has someone led the league in scoring and taken his team to the title. Kareem did it when his name was still Lewis and Shaq did it the first year of the title run.

[WannaBeLikeMike]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

There is a pitcher/batter named Ruth, a hockey player named Gretzky, a soccer player named Pele'...an all around (three major sports) guy named Thorpe and a few others who might beg to differ...

As for role model?...The dude was in a few headline making gambling stories...is going through a divorce now...shouldn't Saint him jsut yet.

Got to agree with the man...phuck, even Carl Lewis was better at Track and Field. But as for the guys mentioned...Barkley, Drexler, Magic, Isiah, Shaq, Reggie, Ewing, Mourning, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Dominique, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dumars. Jordan beat all these guys in the playoffs. Go look at a picture of the Dream Team sometime, on that list you will find only two people that Jordan didn't beat in the playoffs...Scottie Pippen for obvious reasons, and David Robinson because he never got to the finals against Jordan.