[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.

[Lefty Noob]

Don't forget Wilt, legend!

Chamberlain is second all-time in scoring with 31,419 points, but don't forget that he also had 23,924 career rebounds. He led the NBA in scoring every year from 1960-1966 and was best in the league in field goal percentage 9 times. Wilt holds the single-season records for most minutes played, most points scored, highest point-per-game average and most field goals made.

Any you want rules changes? How about this from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame website: "Because Chamberlain's skills were so far advanced than his competitors, several rule changes were enacted to harness his awesome ability. These rules changed included widening the lane, instituting offensive goaltending and revising rules governing inbounding the ball and shooting free throws."

In my mind, its Wilt and then Jordan. Then maybe Kareem.

[legend]

when you look at him you must take into account his playoff failures, especially against a hobbled Willis Reed in 1970 and his highly documented lapses against the Celtics over the years. I know how he outscored and probably outplayed Russell over the course of time, and I am actually a big booster of his. But he should have won alot more and didn't. That being said, he was the only man I ever saw go up and block Kareem's sky hook cleanly, ironically in the game that the Bucks broke the Lakers 33 game winning streak! And I am not one of those who would ever say that if he played today he would not be as successful. His level of skill was so far superior to that of today's big men, even Shaquille O'Neal, that he would dominate them as he did those of his era. People do not realize the beatings he was allowed to take, and Kareem as well, as the referees couldn't possibly call every foul committed against them back in those days. The bottom line for me is Kareem won six, Wilt won two. Head to head you cannot compare as Jabbar was coming in as Wilt's game was in a bit of a decline.

[Wizard of Os]

Kareem, eh?

What's interesting about this pick is that, though Kareem is the top scorer of all-time, most writers drawing up "all-time greatest" teams (particularly visible around 2000/2001, including Sports Illustrated's memorable "Dream Teams" issue) had ol' Lew as NUMBER THREE center between Wilt and Bill Russell.

Also important to note are career averages: Numbers two, three and four (Wilt, Karl Malone and His Airness) all post higher numbers (with MJ and the Stilt both over 30 and Jordan putting up almost seven points more per game than Jabbar, who played in the high high HIGH scoring 1980s.

Yes, Jabbar was dominant, winning three MVPs and five championships, but he didn't rule over the game like Wilt, Russell (Nine championships? Only the Zenmaster has more rings with his one as player and nine as coach.), Larry, Magic, Michael or even Shaq.

Best ever? Number 23.

[Lefty Noob]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, Wizard!

I think a lot of people share that Sports Illustrated assessment of Kareem, that's he's overrated. He was definitely a great player, but is he THE center you'd want on your team during a championship run?

Wilt might not have won a lot of rings, but he was willing to take on many different roles if asked by his coach, and Russell was a true leader in every sense of the word. I can see where one might rank them both over Abdul-Jabbar.

[ThePundit]

I'm honestly surprised at the diversity of opinion about who is THE best. In my opinion, it's Jordan and I don't think anyone else has ever been in his stratsophere. I mean the guy NEVER missed a big shot in his life. And who else took a big game over (I mean playoffs, championships) and made every big shot, made every perfect pass, and just willed his team to win? Nobody.

I have to disagree with the Wilt sentiment. Listen, the guy was phenominal. Top 5? Sure. But he disappeared in too many big games. In the 69 championship, against a 6'9" crippled Willis Reed, he should have scored 70 and willed his team to that game. And then in game 7 - he was awful.

Russell also outplayed him all the time in the big game. Are you telling me that Wilt couldn't have willed his team to even beat the Celtics once?

So based on that, I can't say he was even close to the greatest. And by the way, How is Bill Russell left off of so many lists? He wasn't sexy, but he did everything right.

Given a choice of Jabbar or Chaimberlain, I personally would take Jabbar. So here's my short list:

1) Jordan 2) Russell 3) Jabbar ...then maybe wilt

[legend]

championships, and look who he had to beat to win them. The GREAT Celtic teams, the GREAT 76ers teams and the Pistons. Nevermind having to beat the Spurs of Gervin and Gilmore or the Sonics to get to the finals. He averaged over thirty points a game until he got the players around him he needed, then he didn't have to score as much. Remember this, he was 33 years old in 1980, before he won 5 titles. Jordan was in his prime thruout his run, and it cannot even be debated who had to beat the toughter teams. Jabbar hit his share of game winners himself- his skyhook in Boston in 1974 to force a game 7, which the Bucks lost, 2 fouls shots in game six to force a game 7 against the Pistons, which they won. He was double teamed constantly and fouled constantly without it being called, unlike Jordan who was given his own set of rules.

[Jcomp]

I still say Magic's the greatest. He could play all 5 positions on the court, and actually did so in his rookie season in Game 6 of the Finals. Replacing Kareem at center to start the game no less. Jordan's close behind in the second place spot, but I've got Magic at number one. The man could literally do it all.

[Nitch]

no question micheal or wilt

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by legend

championships, and look who he had to beat to win them. The GREAT Celtic teams, the GREAT 76ers teams and the Pistons. Nevermind having to beat the Spurs of Gervin and Gilmore or the Sonics to get to the finals.

First rule of fight club.

A championship title does not a great player make. Kareem cannot be considered the greatest simply because they won 6 titles (even though Jordan won just as many).

Michael Jordan was the greatest there ever was. Night in, night out for his career he was just awesome until age finally caught up to him.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by xdavidwattsx

First rule of fight club.

A championship title does not a great player make. Kareem cannot be considered the greatest simply because they won 6 titles (even though Jordan won just as many).

Michael Jordan was the greatest there ever was. Night in, night out for his career he was just awesome until age finally caught up to him.

Watts...look man I hate to go against "the Killer" on this...you know I do...But consider Wilt...the man handicapped himself by staying up all night have sex with women by the score and still came out to dominate ...48.5 minutes per game one season...I mean, if he hadn't insisted on all those all nighters to give Russell a chance, the debate would be over...just asking you to think it over bro...no disrespect to Air Jordan...

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Watts...look man I hate to go against "the Killer" on this...you know I do...But consider Wilt...the man handicapped himself by staying up all night have sex with women by the score and still came out to dominate ...48.5 minutes per game one season...I mean, if he hadn't insisted on all those all nighters to give Russell a chance, the debate would be over...just asking you to think it over bro...no disrespect to Air Jordan...

If it's any consolation, Wilt is running a strong second in my book. But Heir Jordan...I just can't stop.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by xdavidwattsx

If it's any consolation, Wilt is running a strong second in my book. But Heir Jordan...I just can't stop.

It is man... I feel better now..thanks...I can jump off the soap box for a spell...

magic john son only play all 5 positions in one game wow...... wilt couldnt lead his team to a championship, bill russell wasnt that dominate on offensive, larry bird couldnt play D, kareem wasnt a leader..... michael jordan lead his team more than one category...... still going scoring and playing d at the age 40. playing with the young class.... still dominating none up above havent been dominating against younger player like michael jordan...... look at all those players in their early 30s.... the only one who prove different was bill russell but the lakers sit wilt down for the rest of the 4th quarter of the 1969 championship game 7.

look ppl wilt, kareem r no doubt 2 of the greatest players to ever play this noble sport ok, but michael air, his greatness, jordan is simply the greatest player to ever step on a court sure he didnt play a team like the great lakers, celtics or 76ers teams of the 70's and 80ths but just look at all the teams that he robbed of rings teams that were led by some of the greatest players of all time--magic n da lakers, clyde the glyde n portland, charles barkley n da suns, patrick ewing n da knicks, reggie miller n da pacers, penny hardaway, shaq n da magic, alonzo morning n da heat, grant hill n da pistons, hakeem olajwan, charles barkley n da rockets(who only won those 2 titles cause some player wit number 23 retired), shawn kemp, gary payton n da sonics, karl malone, john stockton n da jazz, david robinson n da spurs. know notice how in da 80's all the titles went to celtics, lakers or da pistons know look at da fact that in the 90's that if jordan played the title went to his team n since he retired in 98 four teams have been champions lakers 3 times, spurs twice, pistons n da heat ok 4 teams for 7 championships while from 1990-1998 8 championships went to 2 teams n it would of been 1 team had jordan not retired hell if he hadnt retired in 98 they might of won the first spurs title n 1 or 2 of the lakers titles but at that point (9 jordan had nothin 2 prove he was the greatest n he does not need to be da all time points leader hell kareem played what 20 seasons jordan played 15 n could of surpassed kareem in 3 more seasons!!! oh n lets remeber that kareem won most of his championships when a certain guy named magic joined da lakers n i cant possibly remeber when jordan ever had a player in his team that was as talented as magic!!! simply put jordan is the best of all time and no player today will even come close to matching his skills on both ends of the court or his iron will