Michael Jordan. That is all.

(I admit I am biased)

But Kareem was pretty good too.

watch this

Eleven rings for Russell.

I saw Bird every game.

Wilt Chamberlain.

Chamberlain is still the only player to score 4,000 points in a season, has 4 of the 5 highest scoring seasons, the top 7 highest rebounds in a season, the only center to ever lead the league in assists, has the highest field goal percentage season, and would own the blocked shots records if they had been kept during his playing days.

Jordan and LeBron get all the publicity, but Chamberlain is hands down the most complete basketball player of all time.

One of my enduring memories is the season he tried shooting underhanded. Painful, lol.

the night he scored 100 he went 28-32 from the stripe.

Before Kareem Biil Russell or Wilt were considered the best - maybe Oscar Robertson

Kareem's carrier was overshadowed on his own team by Magic and the Magic-Bird rivalry swallowed up the energy.

Then there was Michael.

For my money the best I've ever seen is LeBron.

or Bird. Magic was up there with Kareem and Jordan.

Russell and Wilt played against a far lower level of player than later eras. Kareem came into the league in a period that was soon diluted by the ABA.

Magic and Bird was the NBA coming out of the cocaine era into modern network coverage and the birth of ESPN. MJ made ESPN like Michael Jackson made MTv. MJ also played in the internationalization of the Association. He was the bridge between the old standard to the flexible big man to the Pat Riley lockdown period. LeBron grew up in the Association that was international and played the open international game so he had to be able to play all positions (not that there are set positions anymore).

Bill Russell, Magic, Oscar Robertson were all better players than Abdul Jabbar.

In fact, Magic stepped in and played center for one of the finals games....'81 maybe.

Great player, in the discussion, but playing in Milwaukee hurt him too.

People attribute their success to their size rather than some sort of pure ability. The seven footers are really in a discussion of their own, I think.

"Roger."
"Huh?"

Five MVP awards.

Kareem played against some of the best centers in the history of the game

The game has changed so much over the years.

He hustled as much as anybody. What you wrote is in my opinion total baloney!

By the way, I DO think that he was among a small handful of the best players ever.

are the only players with a realistic argument for GOAT.


Kareem
6x MVP (record)
6x champion
2x Finals MVP
NBA's all-time leading scorer

The best basketball player ever if Lebron James. I live in Chicago and reveled in the Bulls 6 championships.

Was Jordan in his era better than LeBron. Let us wait. One on one, both 28 years old Lebron wins.

Kareem was not the best.

This diminishes nothing of the man's character. I am not the greatest basketball player, not even on the top 3% who ever played the game. Yet no one would ever say I am not the most beloved figure on this message board.

reasonable argument for Michael Jordon, Magic Johnson or Wilt Chamberlin as all time best.

Kareem is all around brilliant, not just basketball. A really smart guy. 11 years after he graduated, I had some of the same professors. They said he was as smart as any student they ever had, and really worked at it, and was a good guy.

He played 21 seasons, averaged 25 points per game, 11 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and shot 56% career. The only center I would put ahead of him would be Russell and maybe Mikan but as impressive as his stats are he only played for 7 years, Kareem by contrast was an iron man.

His skyhook was unstoppable, maybe the greatest single move of all time, seriously. It wasn't flashy like jordan or Lebron dunks, but it was just as deadly. All those Magic assists? Kareem and James.

But my Dad says he doesn't work hard enough on defense.

... and that lots of times he doesn't even run down court.

... and that he doesn't really try, except during the playoffs.