Yeah man. He is the Goat. Period. That ain't even a debate especially when people mention Lebron in the same sentence. That man is the greatest in his generation but here we talk about Mike. Different animal.
There are many amazing things about him. I just wish he had played more seasons.. The game of basketball lost many magical moments when he was away in his prime.
And while CR7 said numbers arent everything, which is true, even numbers wise MJ is if not no.1, then only 2nd to Wilt. 31.5pts 6reb 5ast 2.5stl 1blk in 13 competitive seasons. In 11 of those were he was healthy/played all through training camp to the playoffs/didnt miss significant parts of the season, 6rings as the undeniable no.1, 5 MVPs (should have been 6, 97 was a joke), ROY, DPOY, 9 defensive 1st teams, 10 scoring titles (11 if you look at total points and not ppg), 3 stl titles and many more. Not even to mention the playoffs. Created a dynasty with a single allstar teammate (Pippen 6x). Took a break in between two 3peats. Took a 3 year break, came back at 38 years of age to play a little for fun, and still be the only player besides TMac to average 25+pts 6+reb 5+ast before his knee injury. Whatever angle you look at it from, MJ is undisputed #1
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There’s no way Kobe or Shaq are over Bird. I think you’re ignoring just how dominant Bird was in the 80s. The only way you make an argument for Kobe is longevity, and for Shaq would be his 4-5 year prime where he was completely unstoppable. Aside from that, nah.
Bill and Wilt, an argument could be made... but it could also be argued that they dominated an era when they were just bigger and more athletic than a league full of mostly slobs.
Watch more 80s games, yo. Best basketball era of all time.
I agree about the 80s which is why Magic would be my #2 alltime. I get Kareem at #2 as well though, by 1980 he was a 6 time MVP and 2x champ, led the league in several categories few times, and then won another 4 rings in 8 years. But the differences to me are not that big after MJ, so each argument has a legit case. But Magic to me, what he accomplished in such short time both individually and team, how he transformed the franchise into the frontrunner of his era and how he revolutionized the game. At one point, Bird was way ahead of him (after 86, was maybe the GOAT at that point, 3 rings competing in the stronger east with Dr Js sixers and Isiahs Pistons among others) but in the next 5 years Magic turned it around completely. Both lasted short though which is a shame, one has to wonder what they would have accomplished with Karl Malone like longevity. But they both are still in the top 4 with MJ and KAJ to me and many others, which is amazing (while im at it, Wilt rounds up my top 5, then Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, James, Russell, Hakeem follow up).