THE GOAT OF ALL GOATS
An age old dispute: Who is the best NBA player of all time? Analysts and sportswriters, as well as players and fans have long debated the NBA’s GOAT. Some look for stats, some for rings, while others value for on-court dominance. As time passes, the skills of players seem irreplicable while the legends of past talents grow. Here’s my take on the Top 5 NBA greatest of all time players.
#5: Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq, with his 7’1″ frame and giant smile, is easily one of the most recognizable NBA players. His brand has expanded beyond basketball to pop culture and appearances in movies and TV Shows. You can catch Shaq on TNT’s Inside The NBA sparring over NBA news and highlights with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. You may recall that Shaq was an unstoppable force on the court even back in college at LSU. He was selected first overall in 1994 and made an instant impact. While Shaq shattered backboards and defenses alike, the Orlando Magic, even with Shaq and point guard Penny Hardaway, could not win a championship in the Jordan era. In the early 2000’s, Shaq joined the Lakers, a team with a young star named Kobe Bryant. In addition, the Lakers hired the Zen Master Phil Jackson as head coach whose vaunted triangle offense took the Lakers to the top. Shaq won MVP’s and accomplished a three-peat with Kobe. However, after a fallout with Kobe and the Lakers organization, Shaq was traded to Miami where he won another ring in 2006.
#4: Magic Johnson
Magic is an icon of NBA lore with his iconic grin and dazzling play style. He was drafted into the NBA in 1980 after a stellar college career at Michigan State. Magic won a championship in his rookie year with Kareem Abdul-Jabar and he didn’t stop there. He went on to win five titles, three MVP’s, AND received twelve All-Star selections. However after his HIV diagnosis, Magic’s star dimmed. In the late 1980’s such a health report carried an almost death sentence. Magic was forced to retire from the NBA to focus on his treatment. Since then, Magic has virtually defeated HIV and started his post-NBA life. Magic had a few coaching stints, though none were successful.
#3: Kareem Abdul-Jabar
Kareem Abdul-Jabar is perhaps the most underappreciated NBA center of all-time. He was drafted by the Bucks and led them to their singular championship in 1971. Eventually, Kareem moved on from Milwaulkee and joined Magic Johnson and the Lakers. He went on to win five more titles in LA. Abdul-Jabar finished his career with the most points in a season and in a career. However, in my opinion, Kareem has never received the respect he deserves. Kareem was a pioneer for many African-American players before Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan arrived. He played into his mid-forties, an incredible feat for the NBA, and created the infamous Showtime dynasty in LA with Magic and Michael Cooper.
#2: Kobe Bryant
The late great Kobe Bryant was the face of the NBA in the 2000’s and early 2010’s. Kobe came out of South Merion High School in Philly and was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. However, he was traded for Vlade Divac, a move the Hornets surely regret. Kobe was an All-Star in his second year while coming off the bench. The Laker’s subsequent three-peat added some jewelry to his collection. In 2004, the Lakers added two more stars, albeit past their primes, in Gary Payton and Karl Malone. These Lakers shockingly were defeated by the Detroit Pistons in five games. After Shaq and Kobe’s falling-out, Kobe became the sole star of the team. The Lakers won two more titles under Kobe, but after injuries piled up, Kobe retired in 2016. Kobe finished with five rings, 18 All-Star appearances, twelve-time All-Defense team as well as the 2008 League MVP and two-time Finals MVP.
#1: Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan may be the greatest athlete ever. Jordan mesmerized the league with his high-flying dunks, the extraordinary fade-aways, and the on-court intensity. He started his reign of dominance his rookie year in route to winning the Rookie of the Year Award. Shortly thereafter, Jordan suffered early playoff defeats by the Bad Boy Pistons before winning his first title in 1991. Jordan, with the help of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, completed a three-peat. But then tragedy struck, Jordan’s father, James Jordan, was murdered. Reeling from the tragedy, Jordan retired and tried his hand in the baseball scene, his father’s wish. Jordan was unsuccessful in his baseball career and unretired to return to the Bulls. Jordan and the Bulls then achieved another three-peat. In 1998, Jordan retired again in 1998, but his retirement didn’t last long. Jordan unretired (again) to join the Washington Wizards while serving as part-owner. Jordan finished his career with six rings and won MVP in every Finals he played. Furthermore, Jordan won the League MVP five times and was a fourteen time All-Star.
That’s my take, what’s yours? Leave your Top 5 in the comments.
Who’s the best CURRENT NBA player? https://thewhistleblowersports.com/the-current-best-player-in-the-nba/
Gotta agree with you that Michael is #1, the GOAT, the best of all time. Kobe was Mike Jr, what a great talent. The one change I’d make to your list is bumping Shaq, as great as he was, down a notch or two and bring Larry Legend into the top 5. If you’ve got Magic in the list, then Larry has to be there also. They are 4a and 4b, in either order, in my book.
As I stated in Shaq’s caption, he was near unstoppable in his prime. Larry Bird was a great talent, but only three rings and a lack of athleticism puts him at number six on my list.